Estimated Expenses for International Students

* To simplify, this figure is rounded to $29,350 per year of study.

The above estimates are based on costs for a single, full-time student. Any student who plans to bring dependents with him or her to the U.S. will have to document additional funds to accommodate increased living expenses and health insurance costs:

• Spouse (husband or wife) – $5,000
• Children – $2,000 per child

Tuition and fees are fixed costs subject to increase at any time by the North Carolina legislature. Tuition and fees are the only expenses paid to Wake Tech each semester. The other items are estimates and should be considered as the minimum. Living expenses must be documented as available to qualify for an I-20.

International applicants are not eligible for scholarships or financial aid through the college.

Students should not expect to be able to support themselves through part-time employment while they study. For the first academic year, the only employment opportunity available to F-1 students is on-campus employment, and this is extremely limited at Wake Tech. After the first academic year, limited off-campus employment opportunities are available for some students. Almost no employment opportunities are available for students who hold an I-20 for English as a Foreign Language studies.

Required financial documents

• A notarized Affidavit of Support form completed by your sponsor.
  • Your sponsor must write a clear statement of intent to support you. (Example: "I intend to cover all educational and living expenses for NAME for the duration of his or her studies.")
  • The signature of your sponsor must be notarized or certified by a public official.
• A letter from your or your sponsor's financial institution, issued within three months, giving the following information:
  • Date the letter was issued
  • Account holder's name
  • Current account balance (a minimum of $29,350 is required)
  • Foreign currency code or U.S. dollar equivalent
  This letter must be on the bank's letterhead and signed by a bank official. (Here is an example.)
  If the bank letter is not in English, the letter must be accompanied by a certified translation. A photocopy or original copy of your or your sponsor's monthly bank statement or income does not qualify.

If you plan to support yourself, an Affidavit of Support is not required. But you must submit a letter from your bank with the above information, and the bank account must be in your name.

If you have a family member or friend who lives in the Raleigh area and plans to provide you with housing free of charge, that person must submit an Affidavit of Support. On the form, a clear statement of intent to provide room and board free of charge for the duration of studies must be written, and the signature must be notarized. In such a case, the estimated living expenses of $10,350 per year do not have to be documented. The blank Affidavit of Support form may be duplicated for this purpose or if you have multiple sponsors.

If your financial documentation is insufficient, you will not be issued an I-20.

Similar documentation will be required by the U.S. consulate or embassy with your application for a non-immigrant visa.

Inadequate financial support will result in failure to maintain F-1 student status and possible deportation from the U.S. Please be sure that your financial resources or those of your sponsor are readily available to meet your educational and living expenses throughout your studies.