The International Student Certification of Finances (ISCF), also called the International Student Financial Certification Document (ISFCD) in current International ACAC materials, helps colleges and universities verify the funds available to international applicants who want to study in the United States. Schools use financial verification before issuing a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019), so you should complete this form if the college or university asks for it, even if you are not applying for need-based financial aid.
In this article, we will look at how to complete and submit the ISCF/ISFCD.
How Do I Fill out the International Student Financial Aid Application?
This article is about the Certification of Finances, not the International Student Financial Aid Application. If your college asks for the Certification of Finances, use the version it provides or the current International ACAC International Student Financial Certification Document if the school accepts it.
Although older ISCF forms carried a College Board copyright, College Board does not process these forms. Current instructions say to return the form directly to the college or university that provided or requested it.
Unlike the CSS Profile, which is submitted online through College Board, the Certification of Finances is usually a PDF form. Complete the version your college asks for, enter amounts in US dollars, add any required signatures or supporting financial documents, and send it directly to that college using the method it requires. Some colleges may ask you to upload it through an applicant portal, while others may ask you to email or submit it with other international student documents.
For more information about how to send financial documents to colleges, please visit this article.
What kind of information does ISCOF require?
ISCOF is more commonly written as ISCF. The form asks for the expected amount of annual support from sources such as personal or family savings, parents or legal guardians, sponsors, and government awards. It may also ask for the current exchange rate to the US dollar, whether your government restricts the release of funds for study in the United States, whether you have emergency funds, how you will pay for transportation, and whether you have funds for summer support.
Use the form for the academic year you are applying for. For example, a student applying for the 2026-2027 school year should use the 2026-2027 form if the college accepts or requests that version. Do not assume that the Certification of Finances uses “prior-prior year” income. That rule does not apply to this form. Enter current and expected support as requested by the form and by the college.
Is there any other financial documents that I need to fill out other than International Student Certification of Finances?
Yes. Depending on the college, you may also need to complete the CSS Profile, the International Student Financial Aid Application or International Student Application for Financial Assistance, an institutional financial aid form, tax documents, bank letters, or other supporting documents. Check each college’s financial aid and international admissions requirements before submitting your application, because policies and procedures vary by institution.
Is there any cost to file International Student Certification of Finances?
The Certification of Finances form itself is free. However, other financial aid applications may have separate fees. For example, the CSS Profile is free only for eligible domestic undergraduate students with family income up to $100,000; otherwise, College Board lists a $25 fee for the initial application and $16 for each additional report. Always check whether your college requires another paid application.
We hope this article on ISCF was helpful. To find more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
