Heritage Academy welcomes international students!

The experiences, knowledge, and differences represented by international students add diversity to the Heritage campus. If you are considering Heritage Academy please take a look at the procedure below for International Students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Admissions Office.

International Student Information

All international students must be issued an F-1 student visa before they arrive as a student in the United States. Heritage Academy is approved by the U.S. Federal Government to issue an I-20. An I-20 allows international students to receive an F-1 visa to legally begin school in the United States. Please visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov.

Procedures for obtaining an I-20

  • Heritage Academy must have a complete application before issuing an I-20.
  • Admissions application Fee of US $150 (includes application fee and I-20 fee).
  • Official acceptance from Heritage Academy.
  • Heritage Academy tuition + technology fee must be PAID IN FULL [some additional fees may be required based on student program and billed separately at a later date].
  • Submit a letter from your banking institution indicating you have sufficient funds to cover room and board for one year. (if boarding, contact your academy representative for these costs).
  • Provide an American address where student will be living, or, the academy that will be providing housing.

Once Heritage Academy has necessary documents, we will issue the student an I-20 through the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS: www.ice.gov/sevis ).

Procedures for Obtaining an F-1 Visa

  • Read and understand your I-20 and your responsibilities as an international student in the United States.
  • Once you receive the I-20 you will need to go on line to www.fmjfee.com to pay the SEVIS I-901 administrative fee that must be paid a minimum of three days prior to your embassy visit. The fee is $100 and can be paid with a credit card. Payment receipt should be presented at the embassy when you take your I-20 to apply for your student visa.
  • Contact the United States Embassy or Consulate and ask what documents are needed to obtain your student visa. You can visit the US Embassy website for your country to learn more about the documents needed.
  • When the required documents are complete and fees are paid, you must make an appointment with the US Embassy. Getting an appointment with the US Embassy may take some time. Please don't delay in making this appointment.

Once you have your F-1 Visa (Traveling to the U.S.)

  • Keep your passport and I-20/F-1 visa with you at all times.
  • You are required to show your passport and I-20/F-1 visa to an Immigration officer.
  • The officer may stamp your visa and I-20.
  • You will receive an I-94 card from the Immigration officer. This card must be kept with your passport at all times. The I-94 card indicates your duration of stay in the United States.

Once you arrive at Heritage Academy

  • Bring your passport, I-94 card, and student visa to school and present to the Designated School Official (DSO).
  • The DSO will confirm your legal entry into the United States through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and SEVIS.
  • The DSO will need to make copies of all your legal documents: I-20, I-94, visa, passport.
  • Heritage Academy recommends keeping all of your visa documents in a secure place.

Leaving the U.S. for Holidays or Travel

  • When an international student leaves the U.S., he/she must notify the Designated School Official (DSO).
  • The DSO will verify that the student has a continued I-20 and that the I-20 is signed in the 3rd page.
  • Students must travel with their legal documents.