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 total shown on the statement needs to equal your total estimated expenses — not just clear the $45,000 floor.
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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