INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM
All non-US residents are required to apply to an educational institution and obtain SOCALLAA Form I-20 from the school, before receiving a student visa. The following steps are required for a non-immigrant, full time student to study at US Global Business University:
1) Complete the SOCALLAA Application Form
2) Provide a copy of a bank statement from either checking or savings account, showing a minimum balance of $$5000 USD. The statement must show the bank name, account holder name, monetary balance, and the date the statement was created. The statement cannot be more than 8 weeks old when submitted.
3) Complete the Affidavit of Financial Support, identifying the source of funds to support the student as they study in the US (students with an F-1 visa are not permitted to work). The sponsor will be the account holder of the bank statement, and will sign the affidavit. The student may be his/her own sponsor. This statement promises that the sponsor will provide financial support for the student for the duration of their studies in the US, and is required by the United States Immigration authorities.
4) Submit the $ 100 application fee, $ 65 Courier fee, and $ 400 overseas student fee.
5) Provide a copy of the student’s passport ID pages.
6) Make a Visa interview appointment. After the above requirements have been met, SOCALLAA will mail the I-20 by express courier to the student or their agent within 2 weeks, along with an acceptance letter and payment receipt. After receiving his/her I-20, the student will contact the US embassy or consulate and schedule a visa interview appointment.

How to apply to SOCALLAA
Thank you for selecting So Cal Language & Art Academy. We look forward to serving you as a student. You can enroll as an SOCALLAA student in several ways.
Contact the SOCALLAA Student Service
Contact an SOCALLAA by email; register@socallaa.com
Download an Application
• 1. Download an SOCALLAA application form
• 2. Complete the form and email to register@socallaa.com
• 3. Mail the completed application form, fees, and financial certification to:
So Cal Language and Art Academy
22642 Lambert St, Suite 401A
Lake Forest, CA 92630

To apply to SOCALLAA and receive our SEVIS approved I-20 we need:
1. Application signed and dated (attached)
2. Applicable Fees
3. Sponsor form (financial affidavit attached)
4. Bank statement less than One Month old with balance of $5000 USD
5. A copy of your passport

Documentation
A Statement of Financial Certification must accompany all applications. Please mail this to our admissions office.
Send in Your Fees
A. A non-refundable, $100 application fee is required with your completed application in order to process your enrollment.
B. A non-refundable overseas Student Fee: $400
C. A non-refundable courier Fee: $65
D. Tuition Deposit after receiving F1 visa *: $500
E. Accommodation Placement Fee*: $125
F. Accommodation Deposit*: Students who are staying in at SOCALLAA Student House or home stay must send us a US $500 deposit.
G. Airport pick-up fee*: $65 - $200 depending on the arriving airport
H. Express mail fee* :$95 international
*if requested

Southern California Language & Art Academy is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. You must be accepted into an academic program before you can obtain an I-20. The form will be provided to you by the school who has accepted you into their program, after you have met the application requirements of the school.

WHAT TO DO FOR A NEW I-20 TO ENTER THE U.S. :
1. Fill out and sign an application form.
2. Fax, mail, or email a photocopy of your passport information showing your name, date of birth and passport expiration date.
4. Read and sign the Enrollment Agreement. Please ask if you have any questions regarding this document. Then return it to us.
5. Provide your mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail in your country.
6. A $500.00 payment ($100 application processing fee, $65 postage and handling charges, and $400 non-refundable overseas Student Fee) is required to sign up for classes.
The application, photocopy of passport information and financial documentation may all be provided via fax or by email if time is an issue. The original financial documents must be taken to the Embassy Office at the time of the appointment for a student visa request along with the passport, passport photos and proof of plans to return to your country upon completion of your studies in the U.S. 7. MEDICAL INSURANCE. Medical insurance is required and will be added to your tuition cost at the beginning of each session if you have not made other arrangements.

The tuition balance is due before the first day of classes.
ONCE YOU ARE ACCEPTED INTO OUR PROGRAM, WE WILL COMPLETE YOUR FORM I-20 AND SEND IT TO YOU. THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL TAKE TO YOUR EMBASSY OR CONSULAR OFFICE TO REQUEST THE STUDENT VISA.

WHAT YOU NEED AT THE EMBASSY OR CONSULAR OFFICE
You will need various documents to support your visa application. Prepare carefully for your visit to the US embassy or consulate. Read all documents thoroughly, so that you know exactly what you are agreeing to when you enter the United States on a student visa. Visa procedures vary slightly from one embassy or consulate to another. Check with the office where you will apply to determine exactly what supporting documentation will be required of you. Several items are generally required:
• A current, valid passport and a photocopy of all pages of your passport information showing your name, date of birth and passport expiration date.
• An I-20 form in order to request the F-1 visa
you should take financial documentation that shows your ability to pay for your first year of full-time study. The amount needed to show is at least $20,000. This figure is an approximation of what it will cost for tuition and living expenses for one year. All documents must be in English and amounts must be shown in U.S. dollars. If the bank cannot provide this information in English, the original documents plus a translation into English by a certified translator should be provided.
. If you have your own funds, this can be done most easily by providing an original bank statement or a letter on bank letterhead showing your name and at least $20,000 and dated within the last 60 days.
. If you have a sponsor, you need a notarized letter from the sponsor promising to pay $20,000 for your studies in the US and proof that the sponsor can afford to provide this amount for your support. The proof is most easily shown through a bank statement showing that figure in savings if this is possible. The sponsor letter and proof of ability to support should be dated within the last 60 days.

Evidence of financial support
• Proof that you have a permanent residence outside the United States
• One or more passport-type photographs
Additional application materials may be requested by the visa officer to prove your eligibility. These may include:
• Evidence of some English proficiency
• Evidence of strong ties to your home country
• More evidence of your ability to support yourself while in the United States
The embassy or consular officer will place a visa in your passport. If you receive a multiple-entry visa, you may use it to re-enter the United States up to the date of it's expiration as long as you have a valid I-20. If you encounter any problems obtaining your visa, contact the school and we will assist you. (Source: NAFSA's International Student Handbook)

OTHER HELPFUL THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE
1. If you are being sponsored by an organization, notify that organization of your plans. Maintain contact with the sponsoring organization, which can assist with pre-departure arrangements.
2. Medical insurance is required prior to starting classes. We recommend that you get this before you leave. However, if you do not, we can recommend a company that has reasonable rates.
3. Make travel arrangements as soon as possible. Plan to arrive in Los Angeles at least one week before classes begin. You may come up to sixty days prior to the beginning of the class. Please come to the school as soon as you arrive so that you can take a placement test and reserve classes at the proper level. 4. Buy traveler's checks to cover your first month in the US.
5. Label your luggage inside and out with your name and the address of our school. Know your airline's luggage policy.
6. Reconfirm your flight reservations 72 hours before departure.
7. Pack a travel bag with personal articles to use in case your luggage is temporarily lost in transit.
8. Give your family a contact number for your first few days here, such as the number of the school.
(Source: NAFSA's International Student Handbook)

OTHER HELPFUL THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU
Plan to bring with you to the United States any important documents that relate to your academic, medical, and legal history:
1. Official transcripts from secondary schools, colleges, or universities. (If you plan to attend an American University.)
2. Medical and dental records, including certificates of immunizations and vaccinations (especially important for young dependent children).
3. Information about medical conditions or treatments, prescriptions for medications (including generic and brand names) and eyeglasses.
4. Marriage certificate
5. Birth certificate(s) (including spouse or children)
6. International driver's license
7. Valid passport
8. Proof of medical insurance if you are insured (must have insurance before starting classes)
Get English translations of these documents and have the translations certified by a U. S. educational advising center or a U. S. consulate or embassy. Retain photocopies of all original documents for your records.

WHAT TO DO FOR A TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER CITY OR SCHOOL
1. Fill out and sign an application form ($200 processing fee).
2. Complete the top portion of SOCALLAA Transfer Letter (your current school must confirm that you are in status).
You can take this form yourself to your foreign student advisor and have him/her complete it or you can leave it with us and we can fax it to your current I-20 provider.
3. Present your passport so that we can make a file copy (your passport must be valid for at least six months) and your visa information.
4. Present your I-94 card so that we can make a copy of the front and back of the card.
5. Present your current so that we can make a copy for our files. Save this document. When we give you a new , you will staple it on top of your current I-20.
6. Provide new financial documentation for the length of time that you want to study here. You should show an amount of $1800 per month plus $800 per month for each dependent. For one year of study, a person with no dependents would show $20,000. If you have the amount of money that you need in a checking or savings account, you can simply provide an original statement that is dated within the last 60 days or a recent letter from your bank on bank letterhead. If you have a sponsor, your sponsor needs to provide proof of ability to provide $20,000 for your support (original bank statement, etc.) and also a notarized letter pledging to provide $20,000 for your support.
EXAMPLE:
I, (sponsor's name), pledge to support (student's name) in the amount of ($ amount) for his/her studies at Southern California Language & Art Academy. (Signature) (Date)
7. Take a placement test to determine your starting level and register for classes.

CHECKLIST FOR A CHANGE OF STATUS REQUEST
1. Fill out form I-539.
2. Write a letter to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) explaining why you are requesting a change of status. USCIS needs an explanation for the fact that you entered the U.S. on a different visa from the one you are requesting now.
3. Provide a copy of the front and back of your I-94 card, your current visa, and your passport information.
4. Provide proof of financial support that shows your ability to pay for your first year of full-time study. The amount needed to show this is $20,000. This figure is an approximation of what it will cost for tuition and living expenses for one year. All documents must be in English and amounts must be shown in U.S. dollars. If the bank cannot provide this information in English, the original documents plus a translation into English by a certified translator should be provided.
A. If you have your own funds, this can be done most easily by providing an original bank statement or a letter on bank letterhead showing your name and at least $18,000 and dated within the last 60 days.
B. If you have a sponsor, you need a notarized letter from the sponsor promising to pay $20,000 for your studies in the US and proof that the sponsor can afford to provide this amount for your support. The proof is most easily shown through a bank statement showing that figure in savings if this is possible. The sponsor letter and proof of ability to support should be dated within the last 60 days.
5. Check in the amount of $300 written to SOCALLAA. SOCALLAA will keep this check regardless of whether they approve or decline the request for change of status.