International Students

Upcoming Fall 2026 Schedule:

• Session 1: August 24 — September 28, 2026
• Session 2: September 30 — November 4, 2026
• Session 3: November 9 — December 15, 2026

All classes are 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM Monday - Thursday in-person at CCNY Harlem Campus

NEW International students are required to take at least three sessions with us. 

• 1 Session: $925
• 2 Sessions: $1,825
• 3 Sessions: $2,725

• Speaking: Practice conversations, pronunciation, and expressing ideas with confidence.
• Listening: Improve your understanding of spoken English in classroom and everyday settings.
• Reading: Strengthen comprehension and vocabulary through a variety of English texts.
• Writing: Develop your ability to communicate clearly through structured writing activities.
• Grammar and Vocabulary: Build the language foundation needed for more effective communication.

International students who wish to enroll in ELI as full-time students must complete the application process below:

1. Submit Your Application --> APPLY HERE

2. Once you have applied, the ELI office will send you a Next Steps Email with instructions for creating a registration account, completing your online English level test, and submitting tuition payment. 

3. After your tuition payment has been completed, the ELI office will send you an Admission Email and connect you with CCNY's Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS).

   • OISSS will provide instructions for completing the Form I-20 application and submitting the required documents.

4. Submit Your Form I-20 Documents

   • Please be prepared to submit the following documents:

   • A scanned copy of your passport photo page.
   • Evidence of financial support and resources ($47,143). U.S. immigration authorities require colleges to receive satisfactory financial certifications from prospective students before issuing a Form I-20. You must provide the required supporting documents for each source of financial support indicated in your application. Additional instructions will be included in the I-20 application.

   • The Form I-20 application generally takes approximately 1–2 weeks to process after all required documents have been submitted. You will be notified by email when the process is complete.

5. Apply for Your F-1 Student Visa

• After you receive your Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, you may apply for an F-1 student visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country.

  Instructions will be included in the I-20 email.

  Please note that issuance of a Form I-20 does not guarantee approval of an F-1 student visa. Visa decisions are made by U.S. immigration authorities.

If you are an international student with an F-1 visa looking to transfer to CCNY’s English Language Institute. Make sure to check Yes to Question #22 on your application. You have to follow the same instructions as above before we can process and update your Form I-20.  The I-20 process for new students also apply to transfer students. Transfer students must show evidence of financial support and resources ($47,143).

Once admitted, please reach out to your current school to initiate the transfer of your SEVIS records to our Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS).

Discounts  

We offer discounts to current students through our Student Referral Program. If you are a student who is currently enrolled in the English Language Institute and you refer a new student to our program who successfully enrolls in an English Language Institute Course you will receive a $50 discount on tuition for your next session for EACH student that you enroll.      

To  receive this discount you must be a current student at the English Language Institute. A student will not be able to receive a total discount for one session that exceeds the amount of tuition for one session. A student may not transfer their discount to another  student. The person who has been referred must mention the student that they have been referred by before they enroll in classes in order for a discount to be offered. A student cannot apply the discount to a current session, it must be applied to the next  session that a student will enroll in.   

Cancellations and Refund Policy

• For student withdrawals, the registration fee is non-refundable. If a student withdraws before the first day of classes, tuition is refunded minus the $25 processing fee.

• After the first class meeting, no refund will be issued. 

• Refund requests must be accompanied by your receipt. The processing of refunds takes one to four weeks.

• Credit card refunds are credited back to the card used to register for the course(s). Refund via check will be mailed 4 to 6 weeks after cancelled registration

• A refund may take up to 6 - 8 weeks after the Office of Continuing and Professional Studies receives the request. Refunds are credited to the card originally charged. Money orders and business check payments are refunded with check mailed 6 to 8 weeks after a course withdrawal or cancellation has been approved.

Note: Class Cancellation Due to Low Enrollment

ELI has to maintain a certain number of enrollment to start a class.  We reserve the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment.  In such a case, we will immediately email and inform the applicants. If CPS/ELI cancels a course, a 100% refund, including the registration fee, will be given.

Can you take a class while on Visitor's Visa?

"Per federal regulations, B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrants (i.e., visitors who are in the United States for business and pleasure purposes) are prohibited from enrolling in a course of study at a U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school." Please read more here: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2017/05/b-1b-2-visitors-who-want-enroll-school