Frequently Asked Questions and General Information
The Application Process:
- What is the fastest way to apply to the ESL program?
- How should I pay for my application fee?
- What are the application deadlines?
- What happens if I apply after the deadline?
- Do I need a TOEFL score to apply?
- What is needed for the bank statement?
- When will my I-20 be issued?
- How long does it take to receive my I-20 in the mail?
- What are application deadlines?
Applying for a student visa:
Payments:
- Do I have to pay the tuition fee before arriving?
- When is the tuition payment due?
- How should I pay for my tuition?
- What about refunds and drops?
Housing + Health
Miscellaneous:
- How many students does the ESL program have per class and where do they come from?
- How many ESL classes do I have to take?
- Can I apply for a job on campus?
- How long can I stay in your program?
- Can I transfer to another U.S. school?
- How long will it take me to learn English to be ready for university studies in the US?
- What should I do to prepare for my trip to come to the U.S.?
The Application Process
Q: What is the fastest way to apply to the ESL program?
Follow these steps:
Download and print out the Application for Admission for International Students in an English as a Second Language Program .
http://www.uvu.edu/admissions/international/appl_info/pdf/UVU_ESL_Packet.pdf
Follow the instructions in the application form and fill out the application completely as it applies to you. Especially note the following:
1. Be sure to note the deadline dates on the application and turn in the required materials by those dates. Deadline dates are final with no exceptions.
2. The Affidavit of Support is to be completed by the person who will be providing money for tuition, fees and living expenses, with an original bank statement or tax return attached.
- If you are sponsoring yourself, you will need to provide a letter from your bank showing the needed amount on deposit under your name.
- All financial support papers must be in English, showing amounts in US dollars.
3. If you want to transfer to UVU from another school in the US, you must fill out the International Student Transfer Certification part of the application.
You must have an e-mail address so we can notify you the status of your application.
Q: How should I pay for my application fee?
We accept credit cards (MasterCard, Discover, and American Express), traveler's checks, cash (in person only), and personal checks.
REMINDER:
*Credit card payments for tuition and fees are accepted only through online payment using MasterCard, Discover, or American Express (Visa is not accepted). A convenience fee of 2.75% is charged.
**No service fee is charged for online electronic check payments.
Q: What are the application deadlines?
Click to see application deadlines. APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE START OF THE SESSION.
You should apply at least four months in advance of the session in which you choose to start your English studies. Applications completed after the deadline may not allow enough time to obtain a visa depending on the visa wait time in your country. In this case, your I-20 would have to be express mailed to you at your expense.To find out the visa wait time for your country, visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html
If you cannot get your visa within four weeks and still arrive in time for the beginning of school, then you should ask us to defer your I-20 until the next session.
Q: What happens if I apply after the deadline?
We do not accept late applications. Please choose another session to apply for.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION ADVISOR
Q: Do I need a TOEFL score to apply?
Q: What is needed for the bank statement?
The bank statement must be written in English and show a minimum balance of $12,800. The balance must be converted into US currency. The bank statement must be printed on official bank stationery with the account holder's name and the bank's complete address and phone information. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION ADVISOR
Q: When will my I-20 be issued?It takes up to two weeks to process your application once all of the required documents and fees are received. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION ADVISOR
Please Note: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security now requires the completion of Form I-901 and a fee remittance of $200.00 prior to your appointment for a Visa. This form and instructions are included when the student I-20 is issued.
Q: How long does it take to receive my I-20 in the mail?
Your I-20 will be mailed out from our office by regular airmail at no charge. Sometimes, it takes 10-15 business days to receive. For an additional fee*, you can also ask to have your I-20 mailed to you by an express mail service.
* Express Mailing of I-20 is an additional $40.00 at time of application.
Applying for student visa
Q: I received my I-20 form; how do I apply for a student visa?
Once you have received the I-20 form, you will need to apply for your F-1 (student) visa at an American consulate or embassy in your country before coming to the U.S.
For locations of U.S. Consulates and Embassies , visit: http://usembassy.state.gov
Processing of the F-1 visa may take days or weeks, depending upon your area. Allow enough time for this process.
For Visa Wait Time, find out at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html
For more details on Student Visa, see http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1270.html
Download your Visa applications at http://evisaforms.state.gov/Required documents for your visa application:
- Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students. You should have already received this form.
- Receipt of I-901 SEVIS fee ($200); To pay this fee, visit https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.jsp
- Form DS-156: Download or fill out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov/
- Form DS-158: Download at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/
- Your passport that is valid for at least six months after your arrival into the United States.
- One (1) 2x2 photograph. See photograph requirements at http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html
- A MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable (Please consult the Visa Reciprocity Table) and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all F-visa applicants must pay the MRV fee, including dependents, only the F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.
For more details, visit http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html- Financial evidence showing that you or your sponsor can fully cover your tuition and living expenses while studying in the U.S.
- Proof that you plan to return home after completing your studies. The Consulate/Embassy wants you to show your economic ties to your country.
- Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended.
- Scores from standardized tests such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
Payments
Q: Do I have to pay the tuition fee before arriving?
No. We do not require advance tuition payment from students.
Q: When is the tuition payment due?
The tuition is due the first day of classes.
Q: How should I pay for my tuition?
We accept credit cards (MasterCard, Discover, and American Express), traveler's checks, cash (in person only), and personal checks.
Reminder
*Credit card payments for tuition and fees are accepted only through online payment using MasterCard, Discover, or American Express (Visa is not accepted). A convenience fee of 2.75% is charged.
**No service fee is charged for online electronic check payments.
Q: What about refunds and drops?
Tuition Policy
Tuition payment is usually required at the time of registration. A late fee will be charged if tuition is not paid in full by the first Friday of the session. The late fee is $100. To avoid late payment fee, you may apply for a payment plan.Drop Policy
To Withdraw from an ESL class, a drop request must be submitted in person to the office by the first Friday of the session to avoid a tuition charge.Refund Policy
100% of tuition is refunded if the class is dropped by the first Friday of the session. THERE IS NO TUITION REFUND FOR CLASSES DROPPED AFTER THE FIRST FRIDAY.
Housing & Health
Q: What are my housing options?
You must make your own housing arrangements in advance in order to have a room reserved when you arrive.
Please refer to off- campus housing website at http://www.uvu.edu/housing/
Q: Do I have to have health insurance?
Though the ESL Program does not require students to have medical coverage while attending school, we strongly encourage you to have health insurance while studying in the United States.
For more information about the Utah Valley University, Student Health Services visit http://www.uvu.edu/studenthealth/
If you do not already have health insurance from your country, you may purchase health insurance through private insurance companies of your choice. For more detailed information, visit the following websites:
http://www.cmi-insurance.com
http://www.compassbenefit.com
http://www.culturalinsurance.com
http://www.gatewayplans.com
http://www.hginsurance.com
http://www.hthstudents.com
http://www.imglobal.com
http://www.isoa.org
http://www.studentcare.com
http://www.usnetcare.com
Other Miscellaneous Questions
Q: How many students does the ESL program have per class and where do they come from?
Classes generally range from 12-20 students per class, with a mixture of people from many parts of the world. You might have students from your country in your class, and this isn't a problem at all as long as students work hard to use only English and meet other people in the community.
Q: How many ESL classes do I have to take?
During each session, F-1 students must be in classes for 20 hours per week. The length of study depends on the level in which the student is placed.
Q: Can I apply for a job on campus?
Yes. While you are enrolled in the ESL program, you can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the school year, and up to 40 hours per week during break periods. (Check with the International Center for more information.) In order to work on-campus, you must apply for work authorization through the ESL Program two weeks after the session begins.
Q: How long can I stay in your program?
Our program length depends on the level in which you are placed. Our program length is one year but if you are unable to finish your coursework, you may acquire an extension before your I-20 End Date. Your I-20 may be renewed/extended for up to one year.
Q: Can I transfer to another U.S. school?
Yes. You may transfer to another school in the U.S. after successfully completing one or two sessions at the ESL Program, unless you are on academic or attendance probation.
Q: How long will it take me to learn English to be ready for university studies in the US?
This is a common question. Of course, this depends in which level you begin. Students who start in the Basic Level will need at least five semester (approx- 2 years) to complete the program but there are many factors that affect a person's ability to learn English including any previous study, motivation, natural ability, and use of English here in Utah. Unfortunately, some students and parents believe that just being in the US or Utah will guarantee that one will learn the language, and this isn't necessarily true. The more students apply what they are learning outside of class, the greater their chances of learning English well. The only secrets to success we have always found to be true are hard work and dedication.
Q: What should I do to prepare for my trip to come to the U.S.?
Arrange your travel plans so you arrive a few days before the New Student Orientation meeting. This will give you an early start to get used to local time, weather, food, etc. You may arrive to the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date.
Check out the Official U.S. Customs website to see what you can or cannot bring with you when entering the United States. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/alerts/
To learn more about Utah, please visit the official website of the State of Utah. http://www.utah.gov/about/quickfacts.html or see our About Utah page.
For more information about Utah Valley University, visit http://uvu.edu/visitors/