Can Student Loans Be Used As Income

[MrsLopez 6]

Hello everyone, I really didn't want to ask this question but I have searched this site and I couldn't find the answer so here goes: As some of you may know I am a medical student which means I have not worked full time since 2009. I only work part time in between class, my clinical rotation, and my on call schedule...babies come when they decide to come, which is usually when I'm sleeping

so, my income is based upon my part time work, my child support, and my student loans. Since I am on a graduate level my student loans are substantial. I am able to pay my tuition, lab fees, and books with the remainder to support my living expenses. I am aware that child support is considered income but are student loans as well when completing the affidavit? I checked with the Department of Education to understand the guidelines regarding the usage of student loans and I learned student loans are designed to pay for my education and living expenses while in school to ensure I am successful in completing this medical program. Has anyone ever added their student loans in with their income on the affidavit of support? I need to show at least $23,868 for a household of 3.

Here are my calculations:

2011 Salary $12,000

Child Support: $7,200

2011 Total Income $19,200

I am short $4,668 can I add the income from my student loan to my total income for the year? If the answer is yes, then I will not have to ask for a sponsor for the I-134 Affidavit of support. I will be finished with school May 2013 so when we complete his AOS my income will be well over the poverty line thanks for helping me. Also, I know that I am only required to show the last 3 years of income tax statements, but because I have been in school the last 3 years my total income has been below poverty line. Would it help us if I also added income tax states that were from 2008 and 2007 to show proof that I used to be well over the poverty line until I entered school again and once I am complete with school this time I will be well over the poverty line again?

Let me know what you think! Thanks everyone I am excited about my life with my fiance he is my BEST friend and my blessing!

[perez525 8]

Hello everyone, I really didn't want to ask this question but I have searched this site and I couldn't find the answer so here goes: As some of you may know I am a medical student which means I have not worked full time since 2009. I only work part time in between class, my clinical rotation, and my on call schedule...babies come when they decide to come, which is usually when I'm sleeping

so, my income is based upon my part time work, my child support, and my student loans. Since I am on a graduate level my student loans are substantial. I am able to pay my tuition, lab fees, and books with the remainder to support my living expenses. I am aware that child support is considered income but are student loans as well when completing the affidavit? I checked with the Department of Education to understand the guidelines regarding the usage of student loans and I learned student loans are designed to pay for my education and living expenses while in school to ensure I am successful in completing this medical program. Has anyone ever added their student loans in with their income on the affidavit of support? I need to show at least $23,868 for a household of 3.

Here are my calculations:

2011 Salary $12,000

Child Support: $7,200

2011 Total Income $19,200

I am short $4,668 can I add the income from my student loan to my total income for the year? If the answer is yes, then I will not have to ask for a sponsor for the I-134 Affidavit of support. I will be finished with school May 2013 so when we complete his AOS my income will be well over the poverty line thanks for helping me. Also, I know that I am only required to show the last 3 years of income tax statements, but because I have been in school the last 3 years my total income has been below poverty line. Would it help us if I also added income tax states that were from 2008 and 2007 to show proof that I used to be well over the poverty line until I entered school again and once I am complete with school this time I will be well over the poverty line again?

Let me know what you think! Thanks everyone I am excited about my life with my fiance he is my BEST friend and my blessing!

Hey Mrs.Lopez,

You can't add student loans as an income because it's a debt. As of right now, I have student loans as well, and my debt to income is a bit high, but the consulate doesn't care about your debt, they only want to make sure the immigrant will not be a public charge upon arriving to the US. So yes, you will need a co-sponsor that makes atleast the $4,668 that you're short annually. And tax returns from 2008 and 2007 can't be used since they specifically only want to see the last one (2011), and the last two, 2010 and 2009 are optional.

PS. It's good to take the I-864 for the interview also. When the CO asked me for my affidavit of support, I didn't ask him which one he wanted, I just handed him the I-134 because on USCIS, is the one that they demand for K1/K2 applicants, not the other, but I was ready just in case. And even though I did have my tax returns, I just gave him my W2's because I didn't want to overwhelm him with all these papers...plus he never asked for my tax returns. I took out what was easiest to take out from my binder, the same way he made the interview easy for us.

Edited July 18, 2012 by perez525

[MrsLopez 6]

Hola mami!

Thanks so much for your response. I am so happy that to know that I am only required to show last years income tax (2011) or W'2. I am even happier to know that a sponsor ONLY has to make up the difference in my salary which is $4,668.00. That makes it so much easier I am so happy. I will do just as you said and take the I-864 just to be sure. I am dropping his packet off in the mail on Monday! I am so excited.

I hope all is well with you and the family. What a blessing you have.

I do have a few other questions as well...

1. I will send his packet off on Monday to Vermont because I see that is were the majority send their packets, I calculated we should have our interview around January of February is this safe to say?

2. If our interview is in January or February would I be required to show 2012 income tax return? I usually don't file them until April.

3. I can not find on this site where it tells me exactly how much $ I need to send in the K-1 packet on Monday. Where is this info regarding all the fees that need to be paid and how much?

Thanks again!

Hey Mrs.Lopez,

You can't add student loans as an income because it's a debt. As of right now, I have student loans as well, and my debt to income is a bit high, but the consulate doesn't care about your debt, they only want to make sure the immigrant will not be a public charge upon arriving to the US. So yes, you will need a co-sponsor that makes atleast the $4,668 that you're short annually. And tax returns from 2008 and 2007 can't be used since they specifically only want to see the last one (2011), and the last two, 2010 and 2009 are optional.

PS. It's good to take the I-864 for the interview also. When the CO asked me for my affidavit of support, I didn't ask him which one he wanted, I just handed him the I-134 because on USCIS, is the one that they demand for K1/K2 applicants, not the other, but I was ready just in case. And even though I did have my tax returns, I just gave him my W2's because I didn't want to overwhelm him with all these papers...plus he never asked for my tax returns. I took out what was easiest to take out from my binder, the same way he made the interview easy for us.

[perez525 8]

Youre welcome! You know I'm here to help

1. I will send his packet off on Monday to Vermont because I see that is were the majority send their packets, I calculated we should have our interview around January of February is this safe to say?

- You can't send it to Vermont, you have to send it to the Dallas USCIS Lockbox Facility, and there, they decide which service center it goes. Either Vermont or California...and it's not safe to say because it depends where it will be forwarded to. Generally, CSC takes longer than VSC, but in the past 2-3 months CSC has been working on petitions faster than VSC.

For U.S. Postal Service:

USCIS

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266

For express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-129F

2501 South State Highway 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

2. If our interview is in January or February would I be required to show 2012 income tax return? I usually don't file them until April.

- Yes you will be required to show the last years tax returns, but if you haven't filed around January or February, then I'm sure you can use your W2s and let them know you're going to file upon your return.

3. I can not find on this site where it tells me exactly how much $ I need to send in the K-1 packet on Monday. Where is this info regarding all the fees that need to be paid and how much?

- The fee for the K1 is $340.00 payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, you can pay by check or money order. You can find all this info on USCIS.gov, look at the instructions they give you for the I-129F, it tells you where to send it to and how much it is.

Edited July 18, 2012 by perez525

[pushbrk 12,882]

Hello everyone, I really didn't want to ask this question but I have searched this site and I couldn't find the answer so here goes: As some of you may know I am a medical student which means I have not worked full time since 2009. I only work part time in between class, my clinical rotation, and my on call schedule...babies come when they decide to come, which is usually when I'm sleeping

so, my income is based upon my part time work, my child support, and my student loans. Since I am on a graduate level my student loans are substantial. I am able to pay my tuition, lab fees, and books with the remainder to support my living expenses. I am aware that child support is considered income but are student loans as well when completing the affidavit? I checked with the Department of Education to understand the guidelines regarding the usage of student loans and I learned student loans are designed to pay for my education and living expenses while in school to ensure I am successful in completing this medical program. Has anyone ever added their student loans in with their income on the affidavit of support? I need to show at least $23,868 for a household of 3.

Here are my calculations:

2011 Salary $12,000

Child Support: $7,200

2011 Total Income $19,200

I am short $4,668 can I add the income from my student loan to my total income for the year? If the answer is yes, then I will not have to ask for a sponsor for the I-134 Affidavit of support. I will be finished with school May 2013 so when we complete his AOS my income will be well over the poverty line thanks for helping me. Also, I know that I am only required to show the last 3 years of income tax statements, but because I have been in school the last 3 years my total income has been below poverty line. Would it help us if I also added income tax states that were from 2008 and 2007 to show proof that I used to be well over the poverty line until I entered school again and once I am complete with school this time I will be well over the poverty line again?

Let me know what you think! Thanks everyone I am excited about my life with my fiance he is my BEST friend and my blessing!

Student loans are not income. Child support can only be counted if it is court ordered and you have documentation of the order and that you are actually receiving it. You are not required to show three years tax returns for an I-134. You'll need information from three tax returns for the I-864 when adjusting status. Since you haven't filed yet, you'll either need a cosponsor or you can time your filing and progress so that the I-134 is not needed until after you have sufficient income.

I-129F petitions are ALL mailed to a PO Box in Dallas, for intake processing in a facility in Lewisville, TX.

[Bryan and Isabel 29]

start praying it gets sent to california, because vermont is backed a few months

[MrsLopez 6]

thanks, where can i find the guide for all the fee's i keep searching this site and i can't find anything?

Youre welcome! You know I'm here to help

1. I will send his packet off on Monday to Vermont because I see that is were the majority send their packets, I calculated we should have our interview around January of February is this safe to say?

- You can't send it to Vermont, you have to send it to the Dallas USCIS Lockbox Facility, and there, they decide which service center it goes. Either Vermont or California...and it's not safe to say because it depends where it will be forwarded to. Generally, CSC takes longer than VSC, but in the past 2-3 months CSC has been working on petitions faster than VSC.

For U.S. Postal Service:

USCIS

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266

For express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-129F

2501 South State Highway 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

2. If our interview is in January or February would I be required to show 2012 income tax return? I usually don't file them until April.

- Yes you will be required to show the last years tax returns, but if you haven't filed around January or February, then I'm sure you can use your W2s and let them know you're going to file upon your return.

3. I can not find on this site where it tells me exactly how much $ I need to send in the K-1 packet on Monday. Where is this info regarding all the fees that need to be paid and how much?

- The fee for the K1 is $340.00 payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, you can pay by check or money order. You can find all this info on USCIS.gov, look at the instructions they give you for the I-129F, it tells you where to send it to and how much it is.

ok, i will keep this idea in mind. thank u!

Student loans are not income. Child support can only be counted if it is court ordered and you have documentation of the order and that you are actually receiving it. You are not required to show three years tax returns for an I-134. You'll need information from three tax returns for the I-864 when adjusting status. Since you haven't filed yet, you'll either need a cosponsor or you can time your filing and progress so that the I-134 is not needed until after you have sufficient income.

I-129F petitions are ALL mailed to a PO Box in Dallas, for intake processing in a facility in Lewisville, TX.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

thanks, where can i find the guide for all the fee's i keep searching this site and i can't find anything?

The fee for the petition is listed in the I-129F instructions on the USCIS site: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

Be sure to read through those to ensure you have everything that needs to be part of the petition package.

[perez525 8]

Mrs. Lopez,

After it's approved, these are the fees you will have to pay:

$160.00 - banco popular receipt for EACH K1 applicant

$15.00 - banco popular receipt for any K1 applicant 18 or older (so it only applies to your fiance)

$80.00 - K1/K2 visa cost (this is paid at the day of the interview)

$350.00 - medical exam & vaccines for your fiance (total price)

$1,070.00 - AOS for your fiance (this fee includes the application for the AP & EAD)

The medical exam and vaccines cost varies on the time of the year that you go. If your fiance goes on or after August 21st but before April 30th, it will be around $350 because it's flu season. If he goes any day between May 1st-August 20th then it will be around $290 because it's not flu season.

Edited July 18, 2012 by perez525