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:

Effective January 5, 2015, the U.S. Department of State requires program sponsors to assess and document the English language ability of each incoming J-1 Exchange Visitor.

Acceptable documents for file upload:

• Documentation from academic institution or English language school: Letter from representative - on letterhead - confirming sufficient proficiency in English to participate in the exchange program (most common and recommended)

• Degree from or current enrollment in institution where English is medium of instruction: Copy of diploma, academic transcript, or confirmation of enrollment

• Recognized English language test: TOEFL or IELTS:  Upload your ETS TOEFL Examinee Score Report or IELTS Test Report Form into this Question of the Application.

• Duolingo English Test Score Report: Minimum score 130

• Personal Interview: A document indicating outcome of the interview; name, title and institution of person conducting the interview; date and location

• Student is a native English speaker or first language is English: Complete the English Language Proficiency Verification Form

• Student successfully participated in UIUC J program in the past: Complete the English Language Proficiency Verification Form

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: $11,800 for one semester or $23,600 for two semesters. (These amounts are for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Academic Year 26-27. 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 $11,800 or $23,600].”

•   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.