Frequently asked
questions

Prepare clear electronic copies of the following:

• Passport photo and information page
• Recent bank statement or proof of funds in English
• Affidavit of Support if someone else will sponsor you
• Completed AOI application and the $180 application fee
• Current I-20, F-1 visa, and I-94 if you are transferring

AOI reviews your application after all required materials are received. Missing or unclear documents may delay processing.

AOI currently requires at least $5,100 for one 12-week term, $10,200 for two terms, $15,300 for three terms, or $20,400 for four terms/one year. Add $600 per 12-week term for each F-2 dependent. If a sponsor provides the funds, the sponsor name should match the supporting documents.

The I-901 SEVIS fee is a U.S. government fee paid by most new F-1 students before the visa interview or entry to the United States. Pay it only through the official I-901 website and keep the receipt. This fee is separate from AOI tuition and application fees.

The I-94 is your official U.S. arrival/departure record. After entering the country, download it from the official CBP I-94 website and confirm that your name, admission class, and authorized stay are correct. Contact AOI immediately if something appears wrong.

An initial F-1 student may generally enter up to 30 days before the Program Start Date shown on the Form I-20. Do not make travel plans based only on a visa issuance date—check the I-20 and contact AOI if your arrival plans change.

A visa is an entry document; its expiration does not by itself end your status while you remain in the United States. Your I-20, SEVIS record, I-94, enrollment, and the rules applying to your admission determine whether you may stay. You normally need a valid visa to re-enter after international travel. Ask AOI’s DSO before traveling or making a status decision.

Tuition is $2,100 for one 12-week term, equivalent to $700 per month when you enroll for a full term. A single four-week session is $800. F-1 applicants must enroll for at least one full term. Textbooks and administrative fees are separate.

The current non-refundable application fee is $180. I-20 shipping is $100 when mailing service is requested. Additional charges may apply for textbooks, documents, housing services, or other optional services. Review your enrollment agreement for the complete amount due.

AOI’s full-term tuition equals $700 per month, but F-1 students enroll for a minimum 12-week term. Payment timing and any approved arrangement depend on your enrollment type. Contact a student advisor before your due date rather than assuming a monthly plan is available.

Refund eligibility depends on when you cancel or withdraw and the terms of your signed enrollment agreement. Some administrative fees are non-refundable. Submit cancellations in writing and ask AOI for a copy of the current cancellation and refund policy before enrolling.

AOI offers Standard ESL Levels 1–6, TOEFL Preparation, TOEIC Preparation, American Culture & Conversation, American Culture & Life, Business English, TEFL, and Vacation English. Program availability may depend on placement, enrollment, and the academic schedule.

Intensive programs meet Monday through Thursday. Morning classes are generally 9:00 AM–1:30 PM and afternoon classes are generally 2:00 PM–6:30 PM, for 18 instructional hours per week. Your enrollment documents confirm your assigned schedule.

Yes. All students complete AOI’s English placement test before enrollment so the school can assign the appropriate level and confirm eligibility for advanced programs. The Standard Program has six levels, from Beginning to High Advanced.

Program and level changes require academic review and may depend on test results, course prerequisites, availability, and the next appropriate start date. Speak with the Academic Department before changing your schedule.

Eligible students may receive a certificate of completion or participation based on their program outcome and academic and attendance standing. Ask Student Services about completion requirements and the document request process.

Yes. AOI offers pathway guidance and works with partner institutions. Eligibility and English-language waivers vary by institution and program, so meet with an AOI advisor before relying on a particular transfer pathway.

AOI’s Vacation English program is designed for eligible short-term visitors and provides 17.5 instructional hours per week. Visitors may not enroll in an F-1 intensive program. Admission category and study rules are individual matters, so confirm eligibility with AOI before enrolling.

Do not stop attending classes without approval. Vacation and leave eligibility depend on your enrollment history, program, academic calendar, and status. Submit AOI’s Leave of Absence/Vacation Request and receive written approval before making plans.

Yes, if you are eligible under SEVIS rules and meet the schools’ requirements. Transfer timing is important. Contact the DSO at both schools before ending classes, changing your start date, or requesting a SEVIS release. A school acceptance alone does not complete the transfer.

Never work without authorization. Some on-campus work may be permitted under F-1 rules, normally up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, but a job at AOI is not guaranteed. Off-campus employment generally requires specific authorization. Speak with AOI’s DSO before accepting any paid or unpaid work opportunity.

Check your Form I-94 and ask AOI’s DSO because the answer depends on the admission rules that apply to you. DHS has announced a fixed-period system scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026; students admitted under that system generally receive a specific authorized-stay date and a 30-day departure period after completion. Students admitted under the earlier duration-of-status system may have a 60-day completion grace period. Do not assume a grace period permits study, work, or re-entry.

The limit depends on the rules applying to your admission and your individual history. Under the DHS fixed-period rule scheduled for September 15, 2026, English-language study is generally limited to an aggregate of 24 months. Contact AOI’s DSO for a review of your record before extending or transferring.

No. Textbooks and required course materials are separate from tuition. The cost varies by program and level. Wait for your placement and class assignment before purchasing materials so you receive the correct edition.

Some books may be available online, but the title, edition, and access code must match the class requirement. Confirm the exact materials with AOI before ordering. Used books may not include a valid digital access code.

AOI may assist students with homestay or other housing information based on availability. Housing is separate from tuition, and preferences are requests rather than guarantees. Contact Student Services early with your arrival date, meal needs, allergies, and other important details.

Health care in the United States can be expensive, so AOI strongly recommends that every student maintain appropriate medical insurance. Ask Student Services for general resources, but review the policy’s coverage, exclusions, network, and dates yourself before purchasing.

Eligible students may apply through the California DMV and must meet identification, residency, testing, and lawful-status verification requirements. The DMV—not AOI—makes the final decision. Ask AOI for school documents only after reviewing the current DMV checklist.

AOI provides academic advising, student-status guidance, pathway counseling, document support, and opportunities to experience everyday life and culture in Southern California. Activities vary by session; contact Student Services for the current calendar.