Foreign language dictionaries wearing a set of headphones while sitting on a map next to a notebook; the word English written on a chalkboard.

IEP Info for International Students

If you want to join EFSC’s Intensive English Program (IEP) as an international student, you will need to provide documentation proving you have completed secondary school, or that you have a High School equivalency diploma. 

You are also required to enter the U.S. on an F1 Visa. If you are currently in the U.S. with a different type of visa, your primary purpose for being in the U.S. cannot be educational study.  However, if you became interested in attending our program after you were already in the U.S., then you may seek to request a change of status. 

The IEP is a non-credit program. Admission to the IEP does not guarantee automatic acceptance into other Eastern Florida State College programs. However, upon successfully completing level 6 of the IEP, you will not be required to submit your TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores when applying to study at EFSC.

Program Expenses and Location

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for F-1 visa students in the IEP amount to $4,062 per term. Textbooks and other academic materials are estimated to cost an additional $350 per term. Courses take place in-person on the college's Melbourne campus, which is located on Florida's Space Coast which features the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.

Room and Board

IEP students need to arrange their own housing, and it's a good idea to do this early. You can usually find reasonably priced places to stay in Brevard County. On average, IEP students spend around $1,660 each month for rent, food, and other costs. Here's a breakdown of estimated moderate living expenses based on other students' experiences:

Health Insurance

If you're an international student with an I-20, you're required to have health insurance while enrolled at Eastern Florida State College. EFSC offers a special health insurance plan for international students at a reasonable cost, which you can enroll in when you're admitted to the Intensive English Program.

If you already have health insurance, you must provide us with a copy of your insurance card. Be sure to check the card's expiration date to make sure you'll be covered for the entire duration of the IEP. If you fail to do so, it could lead to your removal from the program.

International Student IEP Application Process

Gather the Required Documents

Prepare the following documents to submit with your application which currently must be for a Fall Term start if you are a new F1 International VISA student:

  • A copy of your secondary school transcripts and/or leaving certificate (diploma), translated into English
  • A copy of the ID page of your passport that clearly displays your photo, name, date of birth, and passport expiration date
  • Proof of financial resources to cover your stay in the U.S.

    As you go through the I-20 and F-1 visa application processes, you'll need to show that you have enough money to support yourself while studying abroad. The minimum requirement is $25,000 for the academic year.

    You can prove your financial ability in one of three ways:

    1. Provide a bank statement that's not older than 30 days, which shows enough money in your account or in a family member's account (along with a letter confirming their financial support). The bank statement should include when the account was opened, the total deposits made in the last year, and the current balance.

    2. Present an Declaration of Financial Support (I-134) from a sponsor who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, along with proof of their financial capability to support you.

    3. If you have a scholarship from a sponsoring organization or government entity, show a letter that states the amount of financial support you've been awarded.

     

    All financial documents must be converted to U.S. dollars, and it's a good idea to obtain multiple copies.

If you're a transfer student, you'll also need to submit the following:

  • A signed transfer form from the foreign student advisor at the school you last attended, confirming your eligibility to transfer
  • A copy of the I-20 form from the school you last attended
  • A copy of your F-1 student visa
  • A copy of your I-94 arrival/departure form
Complete the IEP Application

Fill out the three-page application for EFSC's Intensive English Program:

Download the IEP Application (PDF)

Submit Your IEP Application, Documents, and Processing Fee

Send the IEP application form, along with the required supplementary documents and a non-refundable $100 processing fee (check or money order only, made out to Eastern Florida State College), to the following address:

Intensive English Program
Eastern Florida State College
Cocoa Campus, Bldg. 11, Rm. 201
1519 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, FL 32922
United States of America

Receive Your I-20 From EFSC

EFSC's Intensive English Program provides the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status (I-20) form that is required for you to apply for an F-1 student visa.

Upon receiving your IEP application, the IEP program manager will contact you with more information about this process.

Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charges a non-refundable $350 SEVIS fee for individuals seeking an F-1 student visa (F-2 dependents are not required to pay this fee).

Once you've received your I-20 form from EFSC, you can pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online using a credit card:

Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee

Be sure to print a copy of your receipt, as you will need it to apply for your F-1 student visa. For more detailed information about the fee payment process, visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website.

Apply for the F-1 Student Visa

To apply for your F-1 student visa, which is required for full-time intensive English study, bring the following documents to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

  • Passport with at least six months of validity remaining
  • Form I-20 from the EFSC IEP
  • Receipt confirming payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee
  • Proof of financial resources to cover your stay in the U.S.

    As you go through the I-20 and F-1 visa application processes, you'll need to show that you have enough money to support yourself while studying abroad. The minimum requirement is $25,000 for the academic year.

    You can prove your financial ability in one of three ways:

    1. Provide a bank statement that's not older than 30 days, which shows enough money in your account or in a family member's account (along with a letter confirming their financial support). The bank statement should include when the account was opened, the total deposits made in the last year, and the current balance.

    2. Present an Declaration of Financial Support (I-134) from a sponsor who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, along with proof of their financial capability to support you.

    3. If you have a scholarship from a sponsoring organization or government entity, show a letter that states the amount of financial support you've been awarded.

     

    All financial documents must be converted to U.S. dollars, and it's a good idea to obtain multiple copies.

To maintain your F-1 visa status, you must attend a full course of study through EFSC's Intensive English Program, which amounts to 18 to 20 hours per week.

You must either complete a year of study or reach the highest level of the program before becoming eligible to take a break from your studies.