Converse - International School of Languages

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FAQ

Visa Information

Do I need a student visa?

If your primary intent for coming to the United States is to study in a full-time course (more than 18 hours per week), you must obtain an F-1 (student) visa to enter the U.S. However, the U.S. State Department has said that if you are coming to do a short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do so on a visitor visa. The following web site has very useful information about student visas: (http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html)

How do I get a student visa?

1. In order to apply for an F-1 student visa you will need a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) issued by our school.To receive a form I-20 you must do the following;

Complete and submit your application to CISL;
Pay the tuition (see our refund policy);
Submit documents showing that you have enough money to pay for all of your tuition and living expenses while you are studying at CISL. These documents can be any one of the following:
1. Evidence of financial means (for example, a copy of a recent bank statement) to pay your tuition and living expenses for the duration of your course;
2. A letter of financial responsibility from your parent or legal guardian accompanied by evidence of their financial means (for example, a copy of their recent bank statement); or
3. A letter of sponsorship from your company or organization together with evidence of financial means.

2. When we have received your application and documents we will mail you your I-20 form and a letter of acceptance. When you receive it you should sign it and write the date at item 11 on page 1.

3. As of September 1, 2004, all student who want to come to the U.S. on a student visa must pay a $100 fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This fee is called the SEVIS fee and is separate from the visa application fee that you will pay to the U.S. consulate or embassy.(See information about the SEVIS fee below) This fee must be paid before you arrive to the consulate or embassy for your visa interview. Please read carefully our SEVIS fee information document to learn how to pay this fee.

4. You must contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate in your area to schedule an interview. A list of embassies and consulates is available at the following web site: http://usembassy.state.gov It is important to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

5. Follow the instructions of the embassy and consulate to do the following:

Pay the visa application fee; and
Complete the visa application forms.

6. Prepare for your visa interview by having all of the following documents:

Your passport (it must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival in the U.S.)
The Form I-20 issued by CISL
Letter of acceptance from CISL
Completed visa application forms
A receipt for the payment of the visa application fee
A receipt for the payment of the SEVIS fee
Documents showing that you have enough money to pay for all of your tuition and living expenses while you are studying at CISL
Two passport size photographs (2 x 2 inches) in the format required (see http://travel.state.gove/visa/tempvisitors_info_photo.html)
Any information you have that demonstrates that you will return to your home country after finishing your studies.

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How long may I stay on my visa?

When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. After you have completed the course of studies shown on your Form I-20, you are allowed an additional 60 days, to prepare for departure from the U.S.

SEVIS Fee Information

What is the SEVIS fee?

The U.S. Government has a system known as SEVIS (the Student Exchange Visitor Information System). This system keeps track of foreign students from the moment that a school issues the I-20 form. The administrative computers at our school are connected to the U.S. SEVIS system by internet. For the past several years, the I-20 forms issued by schools in the U.S. have been produced by using this system.

When the SEVIS system was created, the law required that the system be paid for by a fee to be charged to students and certain exchange visitors. However, there have been delays in implementing this fee.

The fee requirement will go into effect as of September 01, 2004: the SEVIS fee will be required of all foreign nationals who come to the United States for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study at our school.

Who must pay the SEVIS fee?

You must pay the SEVIS fee if:

You were issued a Form I-20:
One of the following conditions applies to you:

You are seeking an F-1 or F-3 visa from a United States embassy or consulate for first-time attendance in a language training program. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE visa issuance; or
You are applying for reinstatement to student status, after being out of status for more than 5 months; or
You are seeking a change a of status to F-1 or F-3; or
You have prospective student visa and you are in the U.S. applying for a change to F-1 student status using an I-20 issued on or after September 01, 2004; or
You hold a valid F-1 or F-3 visa, have been absent from the United States for a period of more than 5 months (not working on your studies during this time with the prior approval of your school), and will re-enter the U.S. for a new program of study. In this case, the SEVIS fee must be paid BEFORE re-entry to the U.S.

Your family members with F-2 visas (the spouse and dependents of the F-1 visa student) are not required to pay the SEVIS fee,even if the I-20 that they use is issued on or after 9/1/2004.

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How much is the SEVIS fee?

The SEVIS fee is US$ 100. This fee is separate from and in addition to the visa application fee. The SEVIS fee must be paid by the Internet or by mail. It cannot be paid at a U.S. embassy or consulate and it cannot be paid at port of entry.

How do I pay the SEVIS fee?

On the internet, by completing a form I-901 and paying with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express):

Find the Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com.
Complete the form online and supply the necessary credit card information (Visa, MasterCard or American Express). **Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
Print a copy of the online receipt. (*Be sure to do this!)
Be sure to make a copy of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents

Can someone else pay the fee for me?

Yes. You can pay the fee yourself, or a third party such as a friend, family member, or other interested party can pay the fee on your behalf through the same means described above.

When should I pay the fee?

When you pay the SEVIS fee by Internet, your payment is processed immediately and, at the time you make payment, you can print a receipt directly from your computer. This computer-generated receipt can be used to verify to an embassy, consular post, or port-of-entry that you have paid the SEVIS fee.

Internet payments must be submitted at least 3 business days in advance of the interview if you will rely on electronic fee verification at the consulate.

Will I get a receipt?

Yes. You must be able to prove that you have paid the fee! If you use the CISL SEVIS Fee Service, CISL will mail you your SEVIS receipt with you I-20 and acceptance letter,

When you pay the fee by the Internet you can print a on-line receipt immediately. Don't forget to do this! In addition, you will receive a paper receipt later by mail.

A paper receipt is not required in order for you to be issued a visa or to be admitted to the U.S. Embassies and consular posts will be able to verify your fee payment without a receipt in most circumstances if you pay the fee far enough in advance of your visa interview. Just remember to pay on time! Internet payments must be submitted at least 3 business days in advance of your interview if you will rely on electronic fee verification at the consulate. Mailed payments must be sent in a manner that assures arrival at the DHS address listed on the I-901 at least 3 business days before the scheduled interview.

Is SEVIS refundable if I am denied?

No. Once paid, the SEVIS fee is non-refundable, unless paid by mistake, even if your visa is denied or, subsequent to issuance of the visa, you choose not to come to the United States.

However, if you reapply for a new F-1 visa within 12 months of the denial, you will not have to pay the fee again.

If I change schools, do I pay again?

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No. If you have been accepted to more than one school and paid the fee using the SEVIS ID number of a school you will not be attending, you will not have to pay the fee again. Bring the I-20s of both the school for which you paid the fee and the school you will be attending, as well as your SEVIS fee payment receipt, to the consulate.

Who is not required to pay SEVIS ?

1. A student who continues to maintain his/her student status and is using an I- 20 which was issued before September 01, 2004.

2. A student applying for a visa to return to the U.S. to continue a program of study, in which he/she has maintained student status, and which has not been completed. This includes returning to the U.S. to resume studies after a temporary absence of less than 5 months.

3. A student transferring between schools at the same educational level.

4. A student applying for an extension of stay because additional time is needed to complete the program.

5. If you have already paid the fee and you are reapplying for a student visa within 12 months of having been denied one.

6. A student applying for reinstatement of student status - if the student has not been out of status for more than 5 months.

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Terms

General Information

Course Confirmation and Payment:
All tuition and fees must be paid in full before you start classes at C.I.S.L. Upon receipt of your application and payment, we will send you a letter confirming your acceptance. Payment may be sent by any of the following: international money order, electronic bank transfer (wire transfer), or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only). We cannot process your application unless we receive your payment.

Bank Transfers:
Please include the student's name as part of the bank transfer information. Your payment must include the transfer fees charged by the bank. For more information please contact:

SF@CISL.edu for San Francisco school

F-1 Student Visa:
C.I.S.L. is authorized to issue a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) to qualifying students for full-time study. The I-20 form is used when applying for a student visa (F-1) and will only be issued for the number of weeks that your tuition is paid. You can extend your courses at C.I.S.L. and a new I-20 will be issued. The Student Visa must be obtained at the U.S. Embassy in your home country before your departure. If you are denied a student visa, you will receive a refund of all prepaid tuition when you (i) give the school a copy of the denial letter from the U.S. Embassy, and (ii) return the original I-20 form issued by the school. If you require an I-20 form, you must provide C.I.S.L. with documents showing that you have enough money to pay for all of your tuition and living expenses while you are studying at C.I.S.L. Please send these documents with your application. These documents can be any one of the following:

(1) Evidence of financial means (e.g. a copy of a recent bank statement) to cover tuition and living expenses for the duration of your stay; or
(2) A letter of financial responsibility from your parent or legal guardian accompanied by evidence of their financial means (e.g. a copy of a recent bank statement); or
(3) A letter of sponsorship from your company or organization together with evidence of financial means.

Accommodations:
Accommodations are arranged beginning on the Sunday preceding your course and ending on the Saturday after your course is completed. Extra nights are available upon request. A deposit of $250 is required for all accommodations. If you cancel your accommodations after they have been confirmed, the deposit is not refundable. Please read the Refund Policy carefully. If you are requesting accommodations with a host family, please make flight reservations so that you don't arrive later than 21:30.

Course Extension:
You can extend your course after you arrive. The additional course fee must be paid in advance. You can pay the school directly or through your official C.I.S.L. representative in your country.

Airport Transfers:
Please send us your flight information as soon as possible. If you are requesting accommodations with a host family, please make flight reservations so that you don't arrive later than 21:30.

In San Diego: If you are staying with a host family, the airport transfer is free if you arrive between 9:00 and 21:30. Your host family will meet you at the airport. They will have a sign with your name. However, if you arrive between 8:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday, please take a taxi directly to the school ($8). Your host family will come get you at the school. If you are staying at Vantaggio, please take a taxi ($12) to Vantaggio. A private greeting service is also available for $50 (one-way).

In San Francisco: Airport transfer is not included in the price. A greeting service and one-way transfer is available for $75. Please add $25 for arrivals between 22:00 and 7:00 or for arrivals on national holidays. You will be greeted by someone holding a sign with the school's name. You can also take one of the airport shuttle vans (approximately $20) or a taxi (approximately $45).

Insurance:
You must have medical insurance. If you do not have medical insurance, you can purchase International Student Insurance at the school. The cost is approximately $60 per month.

Liability:
C.I.S.L., its staff and representatives will not be liable for loss, damage or injury to persons or property however caused, except where liability is expressly imposed beyond exclusion by statute.

2008 Holiday Schedule

Converse International School of languages is only closed on certain national holidays.
Except for private lessons, no credit or make-up time will be granted for lessons lost because of holidays.

January 01 (New Year's Day)
February 18 (President's Day)
May 26 (Memorial Day)
July 04 (Independence Day)
September 01 (Labor Day)
November 28 & 28 (Thanksgiving)
December 24 & 25 (Christmas)

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Registration Deposit:

For all courses a $100.00 registration deposit is required. This deposit will be used for your course tuition This deposit is not refundable.

Tuition:

If you cancel your course prior to the first day of class, you will receive a full refund of all tuition charges minus your $100.00 deposit.

Except for course upgrades, if you change your course after the course begins you will be charged a $100 course change fee.

If you cancel your course after the start date of your classes, the first four weeks is not refundable.

If you cancel your course after the first four weeks and you stop your classes before you have completed 60% of your course, you will receive a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of the tuition. In addition, a fee equal to ten percent of the unused portion of the tuition will be deducted from your refund.

If you cancel your course after the first four weeks and you stop your classes after you have completed 60% of your course, you will not receive any refund.

If you cancel your course any time before completing the program for which you enrolled, the school is required by the U.S. laws to notify the immigration officials that you have dropped out of your course. In this case, you are not eligible to transfer to another school and the U.S. Immigration law requires that you leave the US within 15 days.

All tuition refund calculations are based upon minimum units of one week. This means that a refund is only effective as of the first Monday of the period you are canceling. Here is an example: If you tell the school on a Wednesday that you want to cancel your course immediately, the cancellation will only be effective as of the next Monday.

If the case of private lessons, one week prior notice is required to cancel your lessons. Here is an example: If you tell the school on a Tuesday that you want to cancel your private lessons, the cancellation will only be effective as of the following Tuesday and you will be charged for all of your scheduled private lessons from the day that you cancel (Tuesday) until the day that that your cancellation becomes effective (the next Tuesday).

If the school cancels or discontinues a course, the school will make a full refund of all tuition you have paid for that course.

The school does not participate in the State of California Student Tuition Recovery Fund.

Accommodations:

There is a $50 fee to change any accommodation after it has been confirmed.

If you cancel your accommodations less than 30 days before your scheduled check-in there is a $250 cancellation fee.

If you want cancel your accommodations after check-in, a thirty-day advance notice is required. If you do not give a thirty-day advance notice, you must pay for the accommodations for those thirty days.

Internship Program Fee:

If you cancel your English internship before the start date of your courses, the internship program fee is refundable.

If you cancel your English internship after the start date of your courses but before an English internship has been found for you, there is a $300 cancellation fee.

If you cancel your English internship after the start date of your course and after an English internship has been found for you, the internship program fee is not refundable. This rule will apply even if you have not started the internship.

Airport Pickup Fees:

If you requested airport pickup, the airport pickup fee is not refundable unless you cancel the airport pickup in writing at least 10 days before your scheduled arrival.

Express Mail Charges:

Express mail charges are not refundable.

Extension of Courses:

If you extend your courses or accommodations, each extension shall be considered a new enrollment for purposes of this refund policy.

Payment of Refunds:

Refunds will be paid within 30 calendar days of your request. To obtain a refund you must do all of the following:

Make a written request to the school;and
Return the original Form I-20 document issued to you by the school.
We can only pay refunds to the person or company from whom the funds originated.

Holidays:

The school is only closed on certain national holidays. Except for private lessons, no credit or make-up time will be granted for lessons lost because of holidays.

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