We advise students abroad to apply 6-8 weeks before the desired starting date. You may Email all support documents to Admissions@approachusa.com.

The following items must be enclosed with your application:

1. Completed and signed application for admission and enrollment agreement. (If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or guardian must also sign.);
2. Copy of biographical page of your passport (if you are already in the US, please include a copy of your current visa and I-94 card);
3. Financial support documentation (current bank statement and sponsorship letter, in ENGLISH, stating sufficient funds for the minimum duration of your studies at APPROACH).
4. Application related fees (see page 3).

The minimum age to attend APPROACH classes in an unsupervised capacity is 18 with the exception of the ESL Teen Cultural Program open to students ages 13-17. APPROACH does not provide supervision or accept responsibility for enrolled students under the age of 18.

Once accepted to one of our programs, we will send you an I-20 Form - Certificate of Eligibility to apply for the student visa (if requested) and a welcome package. The welcome package will give you more information about your next steps. If you are applying from abroad, you will receive instructions on how to apply for a student visa (F-1) at the US consulate and information about your arrival in the US. If you are currently in the US, our admissions team is available to answer any questions and/or concerns you may have about changing your immigration status to the F1 student status or about transferring your SEVIS record to Approach. You may email us at admissions@approachusa.com. All new F-1 visa applicants are required by the Department of Homeland Security to pay a one-time SEVIS fee (currently $370) directly to Immigration via the Internet or mail.

APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE: Once we receive your application, we will review all documentation and upon acceptance, we will send you an acceptance package containing your (1) acceptance letter, (2) housing placement letter, and housing agreement (if housing was requested), (3) an I-20 form and instructions on how to apply for the student visa (if requested), (4) practical information about the school, the city, and surroundings. If you are applying to change your status to F1 student on Approach's I-20, you must agree to have your entire process done by Approach, including but not limited to the I-539 (Change of status petition), and RFE's (Requests for evidence) and any Motion to reopen or reconsider. Fees are charged separately for each portion of this process. 

ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION: Before your first day of classes at APPROACH, you must complete your registration online. You will need to (1) take a placement test, undergo an evaluation interview so you can be placed in the appropriate courses, (2) pay the registration fee and tuition for the first 4 weeks of attendance, (3) fill out the tuition financing monthly draft authorization and (4) attend a mandatory online orientation.

CLASS ATTENDANCE, PARTICIPATION, AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS: To get the maximum benefit from your program, you will be expected to attend and participate in all classes, arrive on time, bring all your books and materials, complete all homework assignments, and take all tests as scheduled. Students are required to maintain a minimum of 80% cumulative attendance and a minimum of 2.7 cumulative GPA to be considered in good standing. Students who fail to meet the minimum attendance requirements or who are absent from classes for 20 consecutive calendar days without an approved leave of absence are automatically withdrawn from the school resulting in termination of the F1 status. Please refer to the student handbook for detailed information about academic and attendance requirements.

PAYMENT INSTALMENTS: Your tuition, materials, and supplies fee payments are due in advance on the 15th. of each month. You will receive an invoice over Email and will make your payments online using the link provided on your invoice. Late payments (after the 20th.) will be automatically debited in full, from your or your sponsor's, bank, or credit card account on file and will accrue a $50 late payment fee. To update the credit card information on file, you should email accounting@approachusa.com. Approach does not accept payments in cash or checks. Past due students holding an open balance for 45 days won't be allowed to attend classes and will be withdrawn from the school still being responsible for paying any past due balances and/or penalties related to promotional agreements.

DEPARTURE: Before your last day of classes at APPROACH, you will need to (1) submit the F1 STUDENT REQUEST FORM online along with the required documentation (F1 students only), (2) complete an exit evaluation, (3) pay any outstanding balances, in order to receive the participation or completion certificate and, ensure timely SEVIS reporting.

REFUNDS: Refunds are automatically issued to the original payer in the same form in which payment was received within forty-five (45) days from (1) the first scheduled day of classes for new students who never start the program; (2) the date the student gives notice of cancellation or withdrawal; (3) the date Approach terminates the student; Approach considers a partial week the same as if a whole week were completed provided the student was present at least one day during the scheduled week.

• If Approach (1) rejects your application or (2) your visa application is rejected, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid LESS a maximum of $500 in non-refundable charges.
• If Approach cancels a program subsequent to your enrollment, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid.
• If you cancel your program prior to the start of class or you never show up for classes (no show) you will receive all monies paid LESS (a) the housing deposit and (b) a maximum of $500 for non-refundable charges, unless you are holding an INITIAL I-20 from Approach in which case the first 4-weeks of tuition are non-refundable.
• If you withdraw during the first 4-weeks of attendance, APPROACH will retain all tuition charges for the first 4-weeks. If you withdraw after the first 4-weeks of attendance, APPROACH will retain a prorated amount of tuition forall weeks of attendance.

The application fee, registration fee, book, and supplies fee, housing placement fee, housing deposit, airport transfer fee, courier/mail fee, late fees, change of status processing fee, extension of status processing fee, RFE fee and reinstatement fee are non-transferable and non-refundable. Please note that Approach Independent overseas or representatives “agents” may have refund policies that supersede that of Approach. Consult APPROACH or your representative for further information. Approach will provide the student with any refund information made to the agent on behalf of the student. Refunds are calculated in compliance with the cancellation and withdrawal policy, therefore all remaining balances on the student’s account will be subtracted prior to the issuance of any refunds. APPROACH follows all applicable state and federal regulations, including those related to student refunds.

ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATION RELEASE OF RESPONSIBILITY: I hereby voluntarily release and forever discharge Approach International Student Center Inc. and its officers, directors, agents, employees, subcontractors, and all other persons or entities associated with it, including other participants from all liability, claims, demands, actions or related to, arising out of, or are in any way connected with my participation in the schools’ activities, including but not limited to those arising from any negligent or reckless acts or omissions or breach of contract by the released parties. The release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by Massachusetts law. If any portion, clause, or sub-clause is held invalid, I agree that the balance shall continue in full force and effect.

MEDICAL RELEASE: In the event of illness or injury, I grant permission to any appropriate medical authority to examine me, treat me and refer me to outside physicians as indicated. I authorize the release of information about my health and about my studies to the school official, my guardian or sponsor, family members, emergency contacts listed on this application, and health insurance representatives. I understand that I am responsible for medical expenses above the limits of applicable medical insurance. I understand that I am responsible for maintaining my health insurance during my stay in the United States.

PUBLICITY RIGHTS: APPROACH has all publicity and artistic rights to use students' names, pictures, and quotes in any promotional or published materials at any time free of any charge.

NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY: No student or applicant for admission shall on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, language spoken, homelessness, disability, marital status, age, religion, or any other basis prohibited by law be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subject to discrimination/ harassment under any educational programs, activities, services, or in any employment conditions, policies or practices conducted by APPROACH.

LIABILITY: APPROACH (and its representatives) shall not be liable to the student in any event that services are not provided for reasons beyond the absolute and direct control of APPROACH (and its representatives). APPROACH (and its representatives) shall not be liable for any loss, damage, illness, or injury to persons or property however caused, except where such liability is imposed by statute.

VALIDITY AND LEGALITY: Approach International Student Center, Inc. may be referred to as APPROACH in this document.

I/we the undersigned hereby certify that I have read and fully understand all information on the school website, catalog, brochures, and enrollment agreement pertaining to the program I have chosen to attend. Submission of this international student application & enrollment agreement constitutes an acceptance of the terms and conditions of enrollment at Approach International Student Center, Inc. (If the student is 18 or younger, a sponsor’s co-signature is required.) and, the agreement becomes a legal and binding contract between the parties and acknowledges receipt of a fully executed copy of this agreement.