ESL Student

How to Apply to POLY Languages Institute

Applicants to the Intensive English Program or General English classes must be at least 17 years old. However, to begin attending classes, students must be either 18 years old or hold a high school diploma. In contrast, the Private/Group Lesson Program is open to students as young as 10 years old and may begin at any time.

Admissions Process, Step by Step

Non F-1 (I don’t need an F-1 visa. I just want to learn English.)

If you are a U.S. resident or on a non-student visa (e.g., tourist, dependent):

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($75) and the applicable tuition.
  2. We will contact you to arrange a New Student Orientation.

Notes:

  • As a non-F1 student, you are not required to attend term by term. However, your absence from the school cannot be more than 6 consecutive terms to remain as an active student.

F-1 Initial (I want to go to the USA. I need an F-1 visa.)

If you are outside the U.S. and applying for an F-1 visa for the first time:

  1. Apply online. Pay the: Application Fee ($150), Handling Fee ($80), and Student Visa Assistance Service ($250).
  2. Submit the following via Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • If under 18, copy of high school diploma or transcript
  3. We will send you an acceptance packet that includes an acceptance letter, a Form I-20, and any other relevant documents.
  4. Contact us for help with:
  5. Once your F-1 student visa is approved, contact us for New Student Orientation. 

Notes:

  • You may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before your I-20 start date.
  • The F-1 visa is issued no earlier than 120 days before the start date.
  • We issue the Form I-20 no earlier than 180 days before the program start date.

F-1 Initial COS (I am in the USA. I want to change my visa to F-1)

If you’re already in the U.S. on a different visa (e.g., B2, H4, etc.) and want to change to F-1 status:

Some visa types (such as C, D, K, TWOV, and Visa Waiver Program entrants) are not eligible to change to F-1 status. For full eligibility details, please visit USCIS.gov.

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($150)
  2. Submit the following via Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • If under 18, copy of your high school diploma or transcript
  3. Submit the COS Application Review for our review.
  4. We will send you an acceptance packet, including Form I-20.
  5. Once USCIS approves your Change of Status, contact us for New Student Orientation. 

Notes:

  • This COS is a long process. It takes about 2 months to complete the application, and it takes about another 6 months for USCIS to adjudicate. Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, “suggest you file at least 45 days before your stay expires or as soon as you determine your need to change or extend status.”
  • The COS may provide the new status while remaining in the US. However, when you travel outside the US, you must obtain a new visa to reenter. Do not go through the COS process if you plan to travel outside the US.
  • B-1/B-2 holders may not enroll as full-time students (18 or more hours per week) until their Change of Status is approved. They may only take recreational or non-credit English classes totaling less than 10 hours per week.
  • We’re here to help you understand your options — please complete our Admission Inquiry to get started.

F-1 Transfer (I am in the USA. I want to transfer.)

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($150).
  2. Submit the following via Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • Form I-20 from your current school.
  3. We will send you an acceptance letter and contact your current school to release your SEVIS record. You will be copied in the email, for the following documents:
    1. Acceptance letter
    2. The Notice of Intention to Transfer to be completed by your current school.
  4. If the Notice of Intention to Transfer is returned and you are in status, we will contact you for a New Student Orientation. If the form is returned and you are not NOT in status, we will contact you about your reinstatement options.

Notes:

  • You must start within 60 days of your last attendance at your current school. The date of application submittal is independent from your required start date.
  • You’re advised to initiate the transfer process on time to avoid termination. The deadline to transfer often depends on your current school.

F-1 Transfer – Reinstatement (I am in the USA. I need reinstatement to transfer.)

If your F-1 status has been terminated or out of status, you may apply for reinstatement:

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($150).
  2. Submit the below documents by completing the Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • If you are under 18, copy of your high school diploma or transcript
    • Form I-20 from your current school.
  3. We will contact your current school for release of your Form I-20, copying you in the email, with the following documents:
    1. Acceptance letter
    2. The Notice of Intention to Transfer form to be completed by your current school.
  4. If the Notice of Intention to Transfer form is returned to us indicating that you’re not in status, we will contact you to go over the Reinstatement Application Review form, which you must complete for consideration to be admitted.
  5. If you are admitted, we will contact you for a New Student Orientation. You must enroll for the first available start date.

Notes:

Please review the excerpt from the Department of Homeland Security site below. In general, to be eligible for reinstatement, the student must:

  • “Not be out of status for more than five months at the time of filing or show the exceptional circumstance that prevented filing in that time frame.
  • Not have a record of repeated or willful violations of regulations.
  • Not have worked without authorization.
  • Be pursuing or intend to pursue a full course of study in the immediate future at your school.
  • Not be deportable for any reason other than failing to maintain F-1 or M-1 status.
  • Be able to show that: (1) Circumstances beyond the student’s control caused the status violation. (2) Student fell below a full course load for a reason the DSO could have used to authorize a reduced course load, and the student would experience extreme hardship, if the student fails to get reinstatement.”

Do you have any questions? Contact us for any questions.

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