Application Information

Nominations: Students must be nominated to the University of Illinois by their home institution. Once students are nominated they will receive an email outlining application information.  Instructions will be emailed to students for the online application soon after nominations are made.

Language Requirements:

Non-native English speakers must show proof of English proficiency. One of the following documents is required in addition to the English Language Proficiency Verification Form.

• TOEFL score of 80

• IELTS score of 6 

• Transcripts showing courses successfully taken in English 

• Duolingo English Test Score Report of 105

• A letter from the home university confirming sufficient English language proficiency. 

Evidence of Financial Support:

Please be prepared to submit evidence of financial support with your application. In order to have a DS-2019 issued, federal regulations require that you submit complete and accurate information regarding your sources of financial support.

Your source(s) of funding may be as follows:

•   You are self-sponsored, in which case you will need to provide a bank letter or statement from your bank with your name indicated on the document as the account holder.

•   You have a financial sponsor (e.g., a parent or other relative), in which case you will need to provide a bank letter or statement with the sponsor’s name indicated on the document as the account holder.

•   Your study abroad expenses are covered by a university or government scholarship, in which case the official scholarship letter must be included with your application. 

Multiple sponsors and bank accounts may be combined in order to verify sufficient funds for the required amount: $11,100 for one semester or $22,200 for two semesters. (These amounts are for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Academic Year 24-25. Amounts will be updated each year.)

Confirmation of sufficient funds and sources of support must be demonstrated by bank letter or statement. The bank letter or statement must be dated within the time specified below:

•   If you are applying to begin in the Fall semester (August), bank certifications must not be dated before December of the preceding year.

•   If you are applying to begin in the Spring semester (January), bank certifications must not be dated before August of the preceding year.

The bank letter or statement must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. The home university’s study abroad advisor can certify the translation.

Examples of Acceptable Documents

•    Bank letters signed by a bank officials

•   Example: "[insert full name], a client of our bank, has the minimum equivalent of [insert either $11,100 or $22,200].”

•   Bank statements issued directly by banks

•    Loan or award letters certified by lending institutions

•    Official/certified scholarship letters

Examples of Unacceptable Documents

•          Internet bank statements

•          Bank documents without the account holder’s name in English

•          Life insurance policies

•          Pension statements

•          Beneficiary trust statements

•          Credit card statements

•          Documents that reflect salary amounts, estate or property valuations, stock or securities valuations, or tax liability statements.