How to Apply for ELP or AEP
Complete the Application in Your Native Language:
Application Instructions
To apply for the Academic English Program (AEP) or English Language Program (ELP), please follow the steps below. Application requirements vary by course load and program type.
New Students Applying for F-1 Visas
If you are applying as a new AEP/ELP intensive student, please submit:
- A completed application form, linked at the top of this page
- If you are applying to AEP, proof of a completed undergraduate degree
- If you need an I-20:
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
- A financial guarantee statement (usually, a personal/family bank statement)
- $200 USD for tuition deposit and initial document issuance (non-refundable). Pay your tuition deposit online.
Some full-time students do not require I-20s (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, etc.). In this case, follow the application process for other students applying for on-campus study.
Transfer Students
If you are applying as a transfer student, please submit:
- A completed application form, linked at the top of this page
- If you are applying to AEP, proof of a completed undergraduate degree
- A copy of the photo page of your passport, the visa page of your passport, and the I-20 from your current school
- $100 USD tuition deposit (non-refundable). Pay your tuition deposit online.
Other Students Applying for On-Campus Study
If you wish to study with us on campus and do not require immigration documents, please submit:
- A completed application form, linked at the top of this page
- If you are applying to AEP, proof of a completed undergraduate degree
- $100 USD tuition deposit (non-refundable). Pay your tuition deposit online.
Change of Status Applicants
If you are currently in the U.S. in another visa status and wish to obtain F-1 status, we recommend you travel outside the country and apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy.
If you wish to change your status by filing an application (Form I-539), please contact our office at elc@austin.utexas.edu so that we can confirm your eligibility for this process. See our change of status information sheet for more details.
How to Submit Your Documents
Email your passport and other supporting documents to us at elc@austin.utexas.edu. PDFs, photos, or scanned attachments are acceptable; we do not require original documents. If you are applying for an F-1 visa, please keep your original financial guarantee statement for your visa interview.
How to Apply for Your F-1 Student Visa
Please Note: In order to maintain language diversity in our program, we only allow a certain number of speakers of any one language. Our goal is that no language group exceeds 1/3 of our student population.