ELS Intensive and Semi-Intensive study programs are considered full-time study programs and are eligible for an I-20. The I-20 is required to apply for your F-1 student visa. Please note that the American Explorer program is not eligible for an I-20.

For students who will attend ELS San Francisco, North Bay, proof of COVID-19 vaccination (full vaccination + booster or 1 dose of the newer bivalent vaccine) is required by our host institution, Dominican University of California.

Airport pick-up fees include a maximum of 1 hour waiting time. In the event of delays exceeding 1 hour, students will be charged an additional fee at the school.

In order to secure airport pick-up, ELS must receive flight details, arrival times, and drop-off location at least 7 days prior to student’s arrival. No refunds will be granted for airport pick-up if flight details are not received at least 7 days prior to arrival.

CANCELLATION BEFORE CHECK-IN (STUDENT RESIDENCE)

If a Student wished to cancel an Airport Pick-Up or Drop-Off request, they must give at least 48 hours written notice prior to Check-In.

If sufficient notice of the cancellation request is received, the Student is entitled to 100% refund of the Airport Pick-Up / Drop-Off amount.

Failure to provide sufficient notice of the Airport Pick-Up / Drop-Off cancellation request will result in no refund.

All ELS students must have medical insurance coverage while in the U.S.A. If you cannot provide evidence of sufficient coverage, in English, you must purchase the ELS Student Health Plan. The Student Health Plan is offered to ELS students at a non-refundable fee of $50 per week. You will receive additional information about the Student Health Plan when you arrive at the center.

Tuition and Fees

If ELS does not accept your application, ELS will refund you the application fee, as well as any tuition collected.

Tuition payment for your entire booked course is required prior to attendance, and is subject to the Cancellation and Refund Policies stated below.

Tuition and Fees Cancellation Policy*

If ELS accepts your application, but you cancel your booked course, the application fee will not be refunded. However, should you cancel your booked course, you may apply your application fee toward a new course for up to 12 months after your initially scheduled start date.

If your visa application is rejected or you cancel your booked course prior to the start date and you have not entered the USA on a student visa sponsored by ELS, ELS will refund all tuition and fees (except the application fee and courier fee).

If you enter the USA on a student visa sponsored by ELS and cancel your booked course or do not report for class, ELS will retain the first four weeks of tuition as a non-refundable fee, if you have a booked course of four or eight weeks. If you have a booked course of 12 weeks or more, ELS will retain the first six weeks of tuition as a nonrefundable fee.

Tuition and Fees Refund Policy*

Standard Programs (Intensive English, Semi-Intensive, American Explorer)

If you withdraw or are terminated during the first four weeks of your booked course, ELS will retain the first four weeks of tuition and fees as a non-refundable fee. You will be eligible for a prorated tuition refund on any remaining weeks of your booked course. This refund will be calculated by week, based on the weekly price for the actual length of study.

If you withdraw or are terminated after the first four weeks of your booked course and have not completed at least 50% of your booked course, you will be eligible for a prorated tuition refund. This refund will be calculated from your last recorded day of attendance and will be calculated by week, based on the weekly price for your actual length of study. ELS counts any part of the week that you studied as a full week of attendance for refund calculations.

If you withdraw or are terminated after completing at least 50% of your booked course, you will not be eligible for a refund.

If you extend the length of your booked course and withdraw or are terminated from the course before completing 50% of the extended portion of your booked course, you will be eligible for a prorated tuition refund of the booked extension. This refund will be calculated from your last recorded day of attendance and will be calculated by week, based on the weekly price for the actual length of your extended study. ELS counts any part of the week that you studied as a full week of attendance for refund calculations. If you extend the length of your booked course and you have completed 50% or more of the extended portion of the booked course, you will not be eligible for a refund.

Program Changes

There is a one-time $150 program change fee if you change your enrollment from the Intensive English Program to the Semi Intensive or American Explorer program after your first four weeks of enrollment. No program changes are permitted within the first four weeks of a booked course.

Housing Cancellation

We understand that circumstances may arise where a Student needs to cancel their Booking. The following cancellation provisions will determine the applicable timelines and charges that will apply to a cancelled Booking, which balance the need for the flexibility for the Student with the commitments that ELS makes with Student Residence providers and Homestay families.

CANCELLATION BEFORE CHECK-IN (STUDENT RESIDENCE)

At least 28 days’ notice of cancellation request

If a Student wishes to cancel a Student Residence Booking and they give us at least twenty-eight (28) days’ notice before their Check-in date, they are entitled to a full refund of the paid accommodation charges.

Less than 28 days’ notice of cancellation request

If a Student wishes to cancel a Student Residence Booking and they give us less than twenty-eight (28) days’ notice before their Check-in date, they must pay up to four (4) weeks’ accommodation fee.

CANCELLATION BEFORE CHECK-IN (HOMESTAY)

At least 14 days’ notice of cancellation request

If a Student wishes to cancel a Homestay Booking and they give us at least fourteen (14) days’ notice before their Check-in date, they are entitled to a full refund of the accommodation charges.

Less than 14 days notice of cancellation request

If a Student wishes to cancel a Homestay Booking and they give us less than fourteen days (14) days’ notice before their Check-in date, they must pay up to two (2) weeks’ accommodation fee.

CANCELLATION AFTER CHECK-IN (STUDENT RESIDENCE & HOMESTAY)

If a Student wishes to cancel or shorten a Student Residence or Homestay Booking after Check-in:

• (i) Bookings up to four (4) weeks and six (6) days (total 34 days), no refund;
• (ii) Bookings more than 5 weeks (total 35 days), with four (4) weeks Written Notice, they will be entitled to a refund of outstanding amount.

All Refunds

Refunds will be made within 30 calendar days of your notice of cancellation or withdrawal or termination from the program. ELS follows all applicable state and federal regulations, including those related to student refunds. All refunds are processed in the same method in which payment was originally received.