F-1 Transfer Students: How to Apply

Why Transfer to American English Language School?

When you are at other language schools, you may find that you are not getting enough practice because there are so many other students in the class, or you aren’t getting enough interactions with your teacher because they are busy with other students. At AELS, our classes have an average of 5-6 students to make you feel more comfortable participating while also receiving immediate feedback from your teacher. And all our qualified teachers are 100% native English speakers with an English related degree and TESOL certification.
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Another reason that students might want to transfer is the school’s location. To commute back and forth between your home and school may be longer or more difficult than you thought, or you might just find the city unsatisfying. AELS is located in Brea, a very safe and diverse city with its own police department and friendly city that has shopping centers, restaurants, grocery stores, parks, and theaters all within walking distance of AELS.

When you transfer to AELS, you will have smaller classes with qualified teachers all at a more affordable price than you will receive anywhere else. So, what do you need to do to transfer to AELS? It is a fairly simple process, and we can help you with any questions concerning how to transfer, transfer requirements, how to transfer I-20 to another school, and any other questions related to the transfer process.
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How to Transfer to American English Language School

If you want to transfer to AELS, the first thing you need to do is to fill out and submit a transfer application form. We will also need copies of your current passport, F-1 visa, current I-20 Form, certificate of bank balance of you or your sponsor, and proof of your highest level of education completed. Second, you need to pay the $150 application fee. You will receive an acceptance letter and a SEVIS I-20 Transfer Form afterwards. Third, fill in the SEVIS I-20 Transfer Form and submit the acceptance letter and the SEVIS I-20 Transfer Form to your current school.

Once the transfer process is complete, you will be given a transfer release date. Your transfer release date is the date the SEVIS record is deactivated at the school you are transferring out from and will appear at the new school you are transferring to. On your transfer release date, we will gain access to your SEVIS record and issue you a new I-20 Form.

Lastly, you are ready to start at AELS! While you are in the process of transferring, make sure to maintain your student status. If you do not attend classes, you may fall out of status and not be allowed to transfer schools
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After Completing American English Language School's ESL Program

After you have completed your program of study, you have a 60-day grace period. Your grace period ends 60 days after the end of your I-20 or your completion of a program of study. This grace period allows you to prepare for your departure, transfer schools, change your visa status, or start a new program.

During your grace period, you may decide you would like to continue studying at another school. If the time between the end of your program and the start of your new program is less than 5 months, you are allowed to remain in the U.S., but you have to maintain your status by registering for classes and also contacting the new Designated School Official (DSO) within 15 days of the start of your new program.

If the time between programs is more than 5 months, your new school will have to issue you a new I-20 form with a new SEVIS number. You will have to go back to your home country within the 60-day grace period, and you can return 30 days before the start of your new program. Initiating a transfer during your grace period avoids you having to pay the SEVIS fee again and allows you to stay in the U.S.