Accepting US Offers, Paying Tuition Deposit & Securing Original I-20 Form

Executive Summary: Converting an Admit into an I-20 Form

Receiving an official admission email from a US university is a major milestone! However, converting that admission offer into an official Form I-20 requires formally accepting the offer, paying a tuition seat deposit, and submitting your financial proof documents (US-FUND-02: Financial Proof Guide).

Here is what Indian families need to know upfront:

1. Tuition Seat Deposit ($100 – $500 USD): Universities require a non-refundable tuition seat deposit to reserve your spot. This deposit is applied directly toward your first semester tuition invoice.
2. Electronic Form I-20 Delivery: Under current US Department of Homeland Security regulations, universities issue your Form I-20 electronically as a signed PDF via email. You must print out this PDF on clean paper and sign Page 1 in blue ink!
3. Key Fields to Verify on Page 1: Verify your SEVIS ID Number (N00...) and School Code (XYZ214F...) printed at the top right of your I-20—these are mandatory for filing your DS-160 visa form (DS160 Form Filing Manual)!

Form I-20 Key Fields Map

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ FORM I-20 KEY FIELDS MAP │
├───────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Form I-20 Section │ Key Information Printed │
├───────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ **SEVIS ID (Top Right)** │ **N00XXXXXXXX** (Needed for DS-160) │
│ **School Code** │ **XYZ214F00123000** (Needed for DS-160)│
│ **Program Start Date** │ Earliest Allowed US Entry (30 Days Prior)│
│ **Financial Cost Estimate** │ 9-Month Tuition + Living Total ($) │
└───────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────┘

Multi-Offer Strategy: Can You Accept Multiple Offers?

 MULTI-OFFER STRATEGY
 │
 ┌────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────┐
 ▼ ▼
 UNIVERSITY A (Early Admit, No Aid) UNIVERSITY B (Late Admit, Full TA/RA)
• Pay $250 deposit to reserve seat • Admit arrives later in April with TA waiver
• Issue I-20 Form A for visa prep • Forfeit $250 deposit at Uni A & switch to Uni B

💡 Parent Advisory: You can accept an offer and pay a deposit at University A while waiting for a late response from University B. If University B admits your child later with full assistantship funding, you can forfeit the $250 deposit and request an I-20 from University B!

Next Steps for Students & Parents

1. How to evaluate multiple admission offers: US-APPLY-06: Managing Multiple I-20 Offers Guide.
2. Complete your DS-160 visa application: US-VISA-02: DS-160 Form Filing Manual.
3. Book your F-1 visa interview appointment: US-VISA-03: US Consulate Slot Booking Hacks Guide.