1.0   BACKGROUND SUMMARY

The University of Wisconsin-Stout has identified international involvement as a major thrust. Consequently, the number of international students has continued to grow over the past few years. The increased number of students, coupled with a growing problem of getting money out of a number of countries, has generated the need to change the financial terms that must be met before an international student can be admitted. 
The policy is not designed to reduce the number of international students. Its purpose is to require a deposit of money before the student is admitted, and thereby provide the university with some flexibility in dealing with students who are having financial difficulties once they have arrived on campus. Our present policy, which does not require an advance deposit, puts the student in arrears immediately when there is a delay or problem with their finances. This, in addition to creating a problem for the institution, generates a great deal of unneeded mental anxiety for the students while they are trying to complete their education.

As a condition of final acceptance for admission to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, international students whose sponsors have a history of delinquency in payment of fees must place on deposit an amount approximately equal to the institution's nonresident tuition and fees for a twelve month period, which includes two semesters and an eight week summer term. 

The student's tuition and fees for the first year of attendance will be paid out of the advance deposit. 

The International Student Advisor's office will work with each student to determine what actions are required to assure that an amount equal to the second year of attendance, (at minimum, the first semester's amount) is on deposit before the start of the next academic year. 

An International Student Financial Affairs Committee will be formed, comprised of a representative from the Dean of Students’ office, Office of International Programs and the Bursar's office. 

The committee will be responsible for working with the policy and making recommendations to the Controller for changes to the policy and/or exceptions to any provision of the policy.

3.1  The Office of International Programs will, on at least an annual basis, notify in writing, the State and Federal Scholarship Boards, the Ministries of Education, the Embassies in Washington and the Consulates of those countries whose students are required to make an advance deposit. 

3.2  Information regarding application for admission should include reference to and description of the policy requiring the deposit of two (2) semesters’ and summer school's tuition and fees. At this time information must be requested for a name and address to be used to return funds if the student decides not to attend or leaves a positive balance upon his/her departure. 

3.3  When an international student applicant is determined academically admissible, an admissions letter, (bearing the official university seal), is released to the applicant's sponsor and to the applicant. At the same time an I-20 will be released with the following special instructions in the "Remarks" section: 
 

"This I-20 must be accompanied by an official, sealed receipt on University of Wisconsin-Stout letterhead showing that $4,500 ($5,000 for graduate students) is on deposit at UW-Stout to cover the student's first year tuition expenses." 
When sponsors are involved, the applicant's sponsor will be billed directly by the university for a twelve month period, which includes two (2) semesters and the eight week summer session.  When no sponsor is involved, the student is billed directly. 

3.4  Upon receipt of the advance deposit the Admissions Office will make a deposit to a Student/Faculty Agency account established as an escrow account, (Name: International Student Deposits). 

3.5  A subsidiary ledger will be maintained providing transaction detail on each deposit and depositor. 

3.6  Upon registering the first time, an International Student's tuition and fees will be paid in full by drawing down the advance deposit. Subsequent terms would be handled in a similar manner. 

3.7  The International Student Advisor, working with the Bursar's office, will determine the financing arrangement of the student (i.e., Bursary Awardee, Scholarship Awardee or privately funded). 

Whenever possible, the billing, the request for bursary award, the private foreign exchange certification letters, or any other required device for requesting funds should deal with an entire year, which includes two (2) semesters and the eight week summer session. 

When payment has not been received by the time the next billing or notice is to go out, the past due amount should be identified on the current billing notice. 

3.8  Students wishing to request exception to any of the university's financial policies should appeal to the International Student Financial Affairs Committee. Said appeal can be made by contacting any one of the committee members. 

The Committee will forward its recommendation to the Controller for final action. 

3.9  Students and their sponsors should be advised in advance if they are not going to be allowed to register because of financial problems with their account.