For overseas students, you will need to pay the following processing fees:
SEVIS I-901 Fee $350, AELS Application $150, Tuition Deposit $100. Students who do not require a visa will not have to pay the SEVIS Fee.

Please visit our How To Apply for detailed information about the application process.

Our ESL classes are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Students may start classes on the 1st Monday of any month; however, to officially earn credit towards completion of a level, a student must enroll in the entire quarter (12 weeks).

Yes, American English Language School is accredited by the CEA (Commission on English Language Accreditation). The CEA is one of only two English accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. government.

Before your course start date, you will be scheduled for a placement test that will determine what level of English proficiency you are. Based on your results, we will place you in the appropriate class level.

Our program from start to finish (Basic, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5) is generally 18 months (6 quarters) long. However, a student’s length of study at AELS is dependent on what level of English they start at. For example, if a student starts off at Level 3, then that student’s time studying at American English Language School will be shorter compared to a student starting out at the Basic Level since the Level 3 student will only have to complete Levels 3 - 5.

All of our teachers are native English speakers who hold at least a bachelor’s degree in an English-related field and are TESOL certified. Along with their passion for teaching English, they use their knowledge as a native speaker to help our students master the language.

Our college pathway program allows students who have completed Level 5 of our ESL program to be accepted to certain schools without taking the TOEFL test. You can find more information about our college pathway program and a list of schools here, College Pathway Program.

To apply to our TOEFL program, you will need to either complete Level 5 of our ESL program or prove sufficient English skills by taking our placement test and scoring at or above the score our Level 5 students are expected to achieve by the end of the program. If you would like to apply directly to our TOEFL program, please visit our How to Apply page for detailed information about how to apply.

Our Guarantee Program is extended to students who commit to 1 year of improving their English at American English Language School. Students who complete our ESL Level 5 class are guaranteed a TOEFL score of 70! If you don’t achieve this score, you will be allowed to take a free class for 1 quarter! For more information, please visit our Guarantee Program page.

The amount needed on your bank statement depends on how many quarters you are applying for. The bank statement balance must be according to the chart on our How to Apply page. Additionally, bank statements need to be in English.

Processing fees are due with your application, while tuition is due by your placement test date. Tuition payments must be paid in the full amount each quarter (3 months).

Fees can be paid with a personal check, international or postal money order, traveler’s check, cashier’s check, direct wire transfer, or credit card. However, all wire transfers will be subject to a $30 processing fee, and card transactions are subject to a 4% processing fee.

Tuition is expected to be paid in full on the date of your placement test.

Yes, you can use a sponsor's bank statement. However, your application will require an additional form to be filled out by your sponsor.

To receive the tuition discount, you will need to pay the full amount of your tuition rather than each quarter. For example, when you enroll for 3 quarters, you can pay $1,800 each quarter and end up paying $5,400 for your tuition. However, our tuition discount allows you to pay for all 3 quarters when you enroll and only pay $5,100, saving you $300! Read more about our tuition discount.

Our vacation policy allows students to have a 1-week break in between each quarter. For students who enroll for 1 year, they are eligible to take a break for 1 quarter (3 months). Read more about our vacation policy.

No, you will need a new I-20 Form. When we have all the documents needed, we will be able to issue you a new I-20 Form.

We will need an AELS application form, a copy of your current passport, a copy of your current I-20 form, a copy of your current visa, a high school diploma or college transcripts translated into English, and a bank statement within 6 months.

If you are transferring from your current school to AELS, you will first need to pay the $150 application fee and $100 tuition deposit. After you are accepted to and start your classes at AELS, you will need to pay your tuition.

Yes, if you are within your 60-day grace period. Please visit our Transfer Students page for more detailed information about transferring after completing a program.