International Student Deposits

All international undergraduate students (F-1 or J-1 status) admitted to BYU are required to submit a deposit of $4,000 USD before enrolling in classes and initiating student visa paperwork. While the deposit is held in an escrow account, it will earn interest at a monthly rate. There must be some money in the deposit account in order for a student to register for classes each semester or term.

The deposit is a safety fund to ensure financial responsibility for students. Part of the deposit can be used (after the student’s freshman year) in case of emergency or financial hardship with approval from the Associate Dean of Students. Otherwise, the full deposit and interest will be refunded to the student when they leave BYU.

Students can pay their deposit online through Enrollment Services. If you are unable to pay online, your deposit can also be paid by phone or mail through Enrollment Services.

• Phone: Call Enrollment Services with your credit or debit card information at (801) 422-4104. Make sure that your credit or debit card does not have a daily limit of less than $4,000 USD.
• Mail: Send a $4,000 USD check or money order from a US bank. Include a sheet of paper with your contact information and an explanation of why you are sending the deposit.

In order to receive a refund of your deposit, make sure that you have a bank account linked to your student account. Go to “My Financial Center” and edit the “Direct Deposit” section to attach your bank account. If you are unable to set up direct deposit and need to receive your refund through another method, contact the Student Financial Services office at (801) 422-4636 for exceptions.

Once you qualify for a refund, email deanofstudents@byu.edu with your name, student ID number, and an explanation of your request. That information will go to the Associate Dean. It will take 4-5 business days for the refund to be fully processed, so please plan accordingly. Any outstanding charges on your student account will be paid off automatically before the remainder of the deposit is returned to you.

When you have applied for graduation and are in your last semester at BYU, you are eligible to receive a full refund of your international student deposit. This money can also be applied towards tuition for your last semester. To initiate the refund, follow the steps under “How is it refunded?”

If you are leaving BYU permanently for reasons other than graduation, you are eligible to receive a full refund of your international student deposit.

If you are leaving BYU but staying in the US, you need to submit a "Transfer Out" form prior to receiving your refund. Please visit International Student & Scholar Services for more information about eligibility and procedures for transferring. Fill out the required "Transfer Out" e-form here.

If you are leaving BYU and not staying in the US, you need to submit a "Departure Notice" form prior to receiving your refund. Please fill out the form here. To initiate the refund, follow the steps under “How is it refunded?”

If you become a permanent resident or citizen of the US and no longer have the status of an international student, you are eligible to receive a full refund of your deposit. After bringing proof of your status change (i.e., green card) to the International Student and Scholar Services Office, you can initiate the refund by following the steps under “How is it refunded?”

If you are deferring for a mission, you may choose to receive a full refund of your international student deposit. In that case, you must pay the deposit again before getting a new I-20 and returning to BYU. However, you may choose to leave the money in the escrow account, and it will continue to collect interest. To initiate the refund, follow the steps under “How is it refunded?”

In “My Financial Center” under “Unapplied Payments,” you can keep track of the interest you earn on your deposit. You can request that your earned interest be transferred to your bank account through direct deposit at any time. To request your interest, email deanofstudents@byu.edu with your name, student ID number, and the amount of interest you want to access. Furthermore, you may be asked to meet with the Associate Dean of Students to discuss your financial situation.

Students who experience unforeseen financial hardship while studying at BYU may petition to use up to $3,000 of their deposit before their final semester. To petition, you must make an appointment with the Associate Dean of Students in person at 3500 WSC, by emailing deanofstudents@byu.edu, or by calling (801) 422-2731.

For additional assistance, schedule a meeting with the Associate Dean to discuss your financial situation.

*First-year students cannot use their deposit; they may apply for a short-term loan.

International students may have sponsors that give them money for their international student deposit. In the case that a student receives money from a sponsor, it is recommended that they make a contract or agreement with them about how the money will be handled throughout their duration at BYU and upon graduation.

Once money has been given to a student and placed in their international student deposit, sponsors no longer have access to that money and cannot request to receive a refund from BYU. Only BYU international students may request to withdraw money from their deposit or request a refund.