Student Services

STEP 1: Apply to American English College

Complete and submit your application online to American English College. The non-refundable application fee is $160.

Please Note! Students who receive a visa approval and enter the United States with an AEC I-20, must study with our institute for at least 1 quarter. By submitting an application, you understand that not doing so will result in failure to maintain status.

STEP 2: Form I-20

You will receive your Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status) by mail.

Please verify that the following information is correct, and sign the Form I-20.

STEP 3: I-901 (SEVIS) Fee

Pay the I-901 (SEVIS) fee here. Failure to pay this will result in delays in your F-1 visa.

• You will need your SEVIS number from your Form I-20.
• Print the I-901 Fee Confirmation (receipt) and bring it with you to the visa interview.

American English College can also process your I-901 Fee on your behalf.

• Please send payment of 385.00 to American English College; included is the charge of $35.00 for processing.
• AEC will send the I-901 Fee Confirmation (receipt) to you along with your Form I-20.

STEP 4: F-1 Visa Application

Complete, and print a confirmation of the Form DS-160: NonImmigrant Visa Application.

Pay the visa application fee, and print the payment receipt for your records.

STEP 5: Visa Interview

Schedule your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of permanent residence and follow their instructions to schedule an interview for your F-1 visa.

A list of U.S. Consulates and Embassies can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov

On the day of your visa interview, please bring the following:

• Passport (must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date in the US)
• One 2x2 inch passport photograph
• Form I-20, provided by American English College and signed by student
• Confirmation of Form DS-160: NonImmigrant Visa Application, and receipt of payment
• Receipt of I-901 payment
• Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to cover all expenses (>$18,000.00)
  
  1. Any ONE of the following is acceptable:
     • Current personal bank statement
     • Affidavit of Support (Form I-134), and bank statement from the sponsor showing sufficient ability to cover the student’s expenses
     • Scholarship letter from your government
• Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions

You will need to declare your intent to study in the United States, show you will have proper housing, and is financially capable to support your educational costs.

STEP 6: Arrival in the United States

Upon receiving an F-1 visa, you must complete a tuition deposit for your academic program. This allows us to provide you proof of academic registration, and ensures an easier transition upon arrival. All students must report to school within seven (7) days of arrival to the United States.

If you need to defer your start date, please contact your student advisor immediately.

During registration, be prepared to pay for tuition, student services, and any other course materials.

Are you currently studying in the United States, and thinking about transferring to another English school, like American English College? Here is some information to make the transfer easy!

F-1 visa students studying at a school in the United States are eligible to transfer schools. However, you must follow specific procedures to maintain your F1 status and successfully transfer your SEVIS record.

STEP 1: Apply to American English College

Complete and submit your application online to American English College. The application fee is $160.

Provide the following required documents to prepare your transfer:

• Copy of your passport
• Current Form I-20
• Copy of U.S. F-1 visa
• Completed AEC Transfer-in Form
• Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to cover all expenses (>$18,000.00)
  
  1. Any ONE of the following is acceptable:
     • Current personal bank statement
     • Affidavit of Support (Form I-134), and bank statement from the sponsor showing sufficient ability to cover the student’s expenses
     • Scholarship letter from your government
• Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions
• Contact information from your current school

STEP 2: Tell Your Current School You Would Like to Transfer

Notify your current school's Designated School Official about your transfer request. Please also provide them the following:

• Your AEC Acceptance Letter
• AEC Transfer-In Form

Please Note! It's important to ask your current school about their transfer out process. We will also contact your current school to successfully transfer your I-20 record. Once your SEVIS record has been transferred to American English College, you must report to school and register for class prior to your start date.

STEP 3: New Form I-20

Once you have enrolled for class, you can pick up your new Form I-20 at the main office.

Are you currently in the United States as a visitor (B-1 / B-2 visa) or other visa status (J-1, E-1, etc.) and thinking about changing to become a student (F-1)? Please contact AEC to discuss your case in more detail.

STEP 1: Apply to American English College

Complete and submit your application online to American English College. The application fee is $160.

STEP 2: Discuss your Change of Status Situation

Each student's case is different, so contacting earlier allows us to spend more time preparing your case (at no extra cost). 

Please Note! We spend extra time and care on our students, and work with our highly experience in-house Immigration Attorney for our cases. If you have your own legal assistance, you will only need an I-20 from American English College. Contact us for the full list of required fees and expectations. 

STEP 3: Collect your Required Documents

Once you have spoken to our student advisor and paid all fees, AEC will prepare a Change of Status Action Plan that fits your visa timeline, and assist you through the entire process – from preparing documents to timely submissions to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

• Passport Copy (in Color)
• Student's Visa (non-F1) + Visa Stamp (in Color)
• Form I-94
• Most Recent Transcript or Diploma (with English Translations)
• Student's Bank Statement showing $18,000 USD (with English Translations)
• Proof of Residence in Home Country (e.g. Real Estate Deed, Employment Letter, Bank Document with address, or other legal documents with address)
• Proof of Residence in the USA (a letter from the person with whom you are sharing the house, confirming your stay)

Please contact the AEC campus near you to learn more!

You will need to apply for an F-2 visa for any dependents who will stay in the U.S. with you.

As an F-2 spouse, you may engage in part time study. If you wish to study full time, you recommend requesting for an Change of Status to F-1 visa. An F-2 child may only engage in full time elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade) study.

When applying for an F-2 visa, the student will need to provide the following documents and payment for issuance of the F-2 Form I-20:

• Completed F-2 Application Form. Non-Refundable F-2 Processing Fee of $160 per dependent.
• Copy of Dependent’s Passport
• Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children
  (e.g. marriage and birth certificates.)
• Financial evidence that shows you have sufficient funds to cover all expenses for yourself and your dependents

It is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time. If the spouse and children must apply at a later time, they should bring a copy of the F-1 holder’s passport and visa, along with all other required documents with them to the visa interview.