Extensions of I-20 (or DS-2019) forms
If your I-20 (or DS-2019) form will expire at the end of this session but you need to stay longer in order to finish your ELI program, you will need to extend your form.
On this page, you will find the following information:
- How to extend your I-20 (or DS-2019) form
- When will the new I-20 (or DS-2019) form be ready?
- Guidelines for the bank statement
- Important information for sponsored students
- Guidelines for the financial guarantee letter
How to extend your I-20 (or DS-2019) form
To extend your I-20, you must do the following:
1. Complete your online intention form. The online intention form can be found at http://eli.udel.edu.
- Remember, the online intention form is only open during Weeks 4 and 5 of each session. You cannot complete the form before or after those weeks. It is very important to complete this form in time.
- The online intention form will automatically submit your registration information to the ELI.
- If you missed the open dates of the online intention form, then you can request a paper form by contacting the ELI Registrar at ud-eli@udel.edu.
2. Submit proof of financial resources.
Examples of proof of financial resources:
- A bank statement (from your bank account or from your family’s bank account, either inside or outside of the USA). | See guidelines for bank statements.
- A sponsorship letter from a company or an organization.
- A scholarship letter or financial guarantee letter from your sponsor. | See guidelines for financial guarantee letters.
- A receipt from the ELI that shows that you have paid for your studies for the upcoming session.
Deadline: You must submit proof of financial resources to the ELI Admissions Office no later than 4 weeks before the expiration date of your I-20 (or DS-2019) form.
How to submit your proof of financial resources:
- By email: ud-eli@udel.edu
- By fax: +1-302-831-6765 (be sure to write your name and your student ID number at the top of the page so that we can properly identify the document)
- In person: drop off the documents at the front desk of the ELI at 189 West Main Street.
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When will the new I-20 (DS-2019) form be ready?
After you submit your online intention form and your proof of financial resources, the ELI Admissions staff will check your registration information and your documents. If everything is correct, your I-20 will automatically be extended. There is no need for an appointment with Admissions staff to extend your I-20 form.
Your new I-20 will be ready on the first day of next session.
Important note for travelers: If you plan to travel outside of the USA during session break, you will need an extended I-20 before you leave! For more information about travel, click here.
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Guidelines for the Bank Statement
- The bank statement must show $5,575 for each additional session you wish to attend.
- The bank statement must not be older than three months old.
- You must write your name and your University of Delaware student ID number on the top part of the bank statement.
- If your parents are paying for your studies, they can send a new bank statement directly to the ELI by e-mail (ud-eli@udel.edu) or fax (+1-302-831-6765). IMPORTANT: your parents must write your name and student ID number on the bank statement.
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Important information for sponsored students
If your government, your employer, or an organization pays for your ELI studies, then we consider you to be a “sponsored student.”
Some common examples of sponsored students at the ELI are those whose studies are paid by:
- SACM
- Turkish Ministry of Higher Education
- Kuwait Embassy/Cultural Division
- UAE Military
If you are a sponsored student and your I-20 (or DS-2019) will expire at the end of this session, then you must send us a new financial guarantee letter.
The deadline to send a new financial guarantee letter to the ELI is 3 weeks before the expiration date of your I-20 (or DS-2019).
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Guidelines for the financial guarantee letter
The financial guarantee letter must shows the following information:
- It must indicate that your sponsor will pay the University of Delaware for your studies;
- It must have your name and the sponsor’s identification number for your file;
- It must be up-to-date (you cannot give us a financial guarantee letter that has expired or that will expire during your next ELI session).
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