Apply to the English Language Institute (ELI)

• Download the ELI Application (PDF)

Students applying for ELI only

• Students who need an initial I-20 to apply for F1 student visa to study at ELI only-
  • Important Information:
    • Your I-20 will be issued by ELI and will be for language study only.
    • The length of time you can study on our I-20 depends on which level you test into and will be no more than 12 months.
  • Steps to take:
    • Complete and send ELI Application form,
    • Copy of information & photo pages of passport,
    • $50 application fee, and
    • Original bank statement showing at least one session’s tuition & living expenses. Please see latest ELI application for current cost estimate.
      • If bank account is not in student’s name, account holder must fill out Affidavit of Financial Support on 2nd page of application.

• Students currently in the US on B1/B2 or F2 visas—
  • Important information:
    • Students on these visas can study at ELI for one session only. 
    • If you have any intention to continue your studies at ELI or UB, you should apply for Change of Visa Status before you study. 
    • Contact International Student Services for more information on Change of Status. 
  • Steps to take:
    • Complete and send ELI Application form,
    • Copy of information & photo pages of passport, copy of visa, and
    • $50 application fee.

• Students currently in the US on other visas that allow study, permanent residents or citizens--
  • Important information:
    • Check with our office if you can study at ELI on your visa.
  • Steps to take:
    • Complete and send ELI Application form,
    • Copy of information & photo pages of passport, Permanent Resident card as applicable, and
    • $50 application fee.

Students applying for conditional acceptance for a UB program

• Students applying for conditional acceptance for a UB program who know they want to attend ELI first—
  • Important Information:
    • Your I-20 will be issued by International Admissions and will have the ELI session start date on it
    • You should arrive for the ELI start date
    • Communicate with ELI office for arrival confirmation
  • Steps to take:
    • Indicate on your International Application Form that you want to attend ELI and write the ELI start date
    • Submit all required materials for application to an undergraduate or graduate program
    • Submit together with the other required materials to International Admissions, along with a $50 application fee

• Students applying for conditional acceptance for a UB program who are not sure if they need to attend ELI first
  • Important Information:
    • Your I-20 will be issued by International Admissions and will have the UB semester start date on it
    • Arrive in time for UB Orientation
    • You will need to take the ELAB test to determine English proficiency
    • If you do not pass the ELAB test, you will be attending ELI
  • Steps to take:
    • Submit all required materials for application to an undergraduate or graduate program.  

Students currently studying at another school in the US on an F1 student visa

• Students applying for ELI only—
  
  • Important Information:
    
    • Your current school needs to fill out and return a Transfer Form.  
    • You need to apply here first.
    • After you are accepted here, your current school will transfer your SEVIS record to us.
    • You will receive a new I-20 after you arrive here and register.
    • You need to start studying at ELI at the next session after you are transferred in SEVIS.
      
  • Steps to take:
    
    • Complete and send ELI Application form, and
    • Copy of information, photo, & F1 visa pages of passport, and first page of all I-20s,
    • $50 application fee,
    • Original bank statement showing at least one session’s tuition & living expenses. Please see latest ELI application for current cost estimate.
      
      • If bank account is not in student’s name, account holder must fill out Affidavit of Financial Support on 2nd page of application.
        
    • Get Transfer Form from us and give to your current school,
    • Check with your current school to be sure your SEVIS record has been transferred.
      
• Students applying for conditional acceptance—