Information for International Students about Studying Cosmetology at the Bucks County School of Beauty Culture

To qualify for an M-1 visa you will have to show:

that you have a passport valid for at least six months into the future
that you possess a properly completed I-20M-N eligibility form
that you intend to pursue a full course of study at the school that issued the I-20
that you have the financial means to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses while you study in the U.S., and
that you will maintain a residence outside the United States to which you intend to return upon completion of your study.

Why do I need to prove financial ability?

The United States has strict regulations about financial support of international students. Students who cannot prove adequate financial support will not be permitted to study in the United States. International Students must show that they have financial support to cover educational costs and living expenses while in the U.S. When you are accepted to BCSBC, you must pay the $150.00 I-20 processing fee, $50.00 registration fee and 25% of the total Tuition for the program as a down payment The balance must be deposited in a bank account designated as "Tuition BCSBC Savings" with sufficient deposits to cover the remaining balance of the expense.

What are the costs I should plan to pay?

We ask that prospective students think carefully about the real costs of studying and living in the U.S., to make sure that you have enough money to cover your expenses. Our Associate Degree program is 76 weeks as a full time day student. There is a $50 Registration Fee, Tuition for the Associate Degree Program is $22,100, and there is a Supplies Fee of $1500 (plus 6% Pennsylvania state sales tax). The student is also responsible for the costs of renting an apartment for lodging, and all living expenses.

Obtaining Your I-20 Certificate Of Eligibility

Bucks County School of Beauty Culture can provide the I-20 document needed to obtain your M-1 Student Visa. There is a $150 charge for the costs of processing paperwork. The document is issued by the BCSBC Admissions Office to international students with nonimmigrant status, to be used in applying for an M-1 Visa to the United States.

After receiving the I-20, the student must apply for a Visa at his/her nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and should be prepared to present the following documents:

Letter of admission to BCSBC
Form I-20 from BCSBC
Valid passport or travel documents
Passport photographs
Proof of financial support
Proof or evidence that the applicant has a home abroad that is not being abandoned, and that the student plans to leave the U.S. when the BCSBC program is completed
Other items required by the specific embassy or consulate

How to apply:

Click on the Request for I-20M link at the bottom of this page to submit the information required. The BCSBC will then reply to your email instruction you how to proceed. upon successful completion of the requirements the school will debit your charge account for the following

$150.00 I-20 processing fee
$ 50.00 School registration Fee
$ 25% of the total tuition ( the balance is due and the supplies must be purchased prior to the first class)

The school will then process the Form I-20M-N, entitled Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students, and mail you the form. A student visa cannot be processed without this form.

Upon receipt of Form I-20M-N:

the applicant must complete and sign Item 11 at the bottom of Page 1 and submit it when applying for the M-1 Visa, together with:

a passport or other travel document valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the United States and with at least one blank page (the six month requirement does not apply to United Kingdom passports);
one color passport type photograph;
evidence to show that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover all expenses including tuition while in the United States. Such evidence may include detailed bank statements of the student's and/or parents' accounts showing that adequate funds are available for transfer, evidence of scholarships and/or combination of finances which will meet the estimated total expenses, including tuition, of the student's proposed stay in the United States;
evidence to show that the applicant has a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay;
applicants may be required to furnish detailed information concerning their academic qualifications. Such evidence may include complete transcripts of grades (marks) and test records for the last four years of school and evidence of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores.
a completed visa application form DS-156 for each person traveling which has been endorsed by a bank showing payment of the visa application fee.
a completed supplemental visa application form DS-157 (completed by males aged between 16 and 45 only). Reminder: No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.

NOTES

Work: Holders of M-1 visas may only engage in employment if it is a required part of their practical training and the employment has been approved in advance by the office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The spouse and/or children of the holder of an M-1 visa may not work on derivative M-2 visas; they may, however, study at an academic institution.

Entry & Length of Stay: The holder of a student M-1 visa may enter the United States up to 14 days before the designated Start date on the the I-20M-N. The holder of an M-1 visa may remain in the United States for the period of time it will take to complete the course of study as indicated on the I-20 plus 30 days, or for one year, whichever is less.

Spouses, Children & Partners: Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the U.S. for the duration of his/her stay require derivative M-2 visas. The application procedure is the same; the I-20 covers dependents. If the spouse and/or children apply for visas at a later date, a copy of the principal visa holder's M-1 visa must be furnished with the application. The holder of an M-2 visa may not work on a derivative visa; he or she, however, may study at an academic institution.

Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas, or if qualified, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.