How much do I need for the financial statement, and how do I prepare it?
Figuring out this number can feel like the most concrete — and most stressful — part of an international application, so here's exactly what Five Branches asks for and how the paperwork works.
The Financial Statement — what it must show
(Source: Five Branches' International Applicants page, as we saw it in 08/2026)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base amount (covers 1 academic year of education + living expenses) | $45,000 USD |
| Per dependent, if you need an I-20 issued for them | +$7,500 USD each |
| Recommended buffer (off-campus months, misc. expenses) | ~$7,000 USD |
The total shown on the statement needs to equal your total estimated expenses — not just clear the $45,000 floor.
How to prepare it
- Get a Financial Statement certified by a bank or other financial institution, confirming the funds are actually available (not just a personal letter).
- If a sponsor is covering part or all of the cost, the sponsor signs the Financial Statement stating they're taking on that amount — and includes their own bank statement or institutional letter in U.S. dollars (or the currency equivalent), showing enough to cover it.
- The name on the sponsor's bank document must match the name on the Financial Statement exactly — a mismatch is one of the most common reasons these get sent back for correction.
- This goes in alongside the rest of the international application packet — transcript evaluation, English proficiency scores (if required), and proof of health insurance before registration.
One quiet reassurance underneath the dollar figure: this isn't about proving wealth, it's about showing the funds are real and accounted for — a documented sponsor is treated exactly the same as personal savings.
Are you funding this yourself, or is a sponsor going to be part of the picture?
Sources
- Five Branches University — International Applicants checked 2026-08
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