Apply

1. Who may apply for ELI enrollment?

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the first day of class.
• Non-resident applicants must apply for an F-1 visa.  Individuals who come to the United States on B-1/B-2 visas may not study full-time.
• Students already in the United States who have F-1 visas and are studying in another intensive English program may apply for Transfer by emailing eliFREEMississippi%20for the appropriate form. 
• Legal Permanent Residents in the United States and US citizens who are not native-English speakers are welcome to apply for enrollment.

 

2. Calendar

The ELI currently has two semester-length terms per year. Each semester is approximately 14 calendar weeks. New students are welcome at the beginning of each term.

Semester Dates

 Application Deadlines

3. Costs

We estimate that the cost of living in Hattiesburg and cost of attendance at the ELI for one academic year (9 months) to be $23,085.00. This amount includes tuition and fees, on-campus housing and meal plan*, as well as student health insurance and personal expenses. This does not include travel to and from Hattiesburg, the fees associated with your F-1 visa application, incidental expenses during the ELI term, or housing and food costs during semester breaks and vacation periods when dormitories and cafeteria are closed. Insurance fees must be paid during the first week of scheduled classes. All tuition and fees (including housing and meal plan costs) are due on Friday of the first week of class.

*As of the Fall 2021 semester, all new ELI students will be required to live in on-campus housing. Exemptions will be made for students over the age of 30, students who are legally married, or students who have F-2 dependents. 

Estimated One-time fees*

^{* These fees are covered by the mandatory Student Health Insurance for all students on F-1 visas.} 

Estimated Fees for each semester

Note:   Costs are subject to change without notice.

 

2020-2021 Tuition and Fees Deadlines

 4. How can I apply?

• Complete an ELI application online here. 
• Submit financial support documentation. If you are self-sponsored, then we need your most recent three months of monthly bank statements.  If someone else is your financial sponsor (family member, friend…), then we need that person’s most recent three months of monthly bank statements.  The statements must show a minimum amount of $23,085.00 on deposit and immediately available.  In other words, the funds cannot be encumbered in a Certificate of Deposit, a Money Market Account, or a Savings Account with a future maturity date.  The funds must be available for immediate withdrawal upon demand by the individual account-holder (business accounts are not eligible). These supporting documents must include the contact information for the account holder, and will need to be uploaded to your online application or emailed to the ELI Assistant Director. 
• On - Campus housing is now required of all new ELI students (beginning Fall 2021). Once your financial documents are approved, we will provide you with instructions on how to apply for housing. For more information about On-Campus Housing, please visit: https://www.usm.edu/housing-residence-life/campus-living.php.  
• In addition to your online application, payment for the following will be due (if applicable):
  • $50 ELI Application Fee (non-refundable) paid to ELI.
  • $100 ELI Tuition Deposit (will be applied to your charges for your first term in ELI) paid to ELI. 
  • $75 Residence Life Application Processing Fee (non-refundable; fee will increase if not paid by priority deadline) paid to student housing upon application.

• The ELI Application Fee and Tuition Deposit must be paid online (https://commerce.cashnet.com/usmelio). 

• Upload a photocopy of your passport photo page to the online application.      

5. When your application is received by the ELI....

When your application and supporting financial documents are approved by the ELI, we will then provide instructions for the online housing application. Once your housing application is confirmed, the ELI will review all documents for final acceptance. If approved, the ELI will send an I-20 and instructions to help you apply for an F-1 visa at an American Consulate in your home country.  It is important to note that you should not make travel plans until your visa application has been approved.

6. Can I transfer to the ELI from another intensive English program in the United States?

Yes, you can. Apply for Transfer by emailing eliFREEMississippi for the appropriate form. Complete the top portion and then take it to your immigration advisor at your current school.  Your advisor must complete the bottom portion of the form and return it to the ELI. 

You should also complete the ELI Application Form and other requirements listed above (“How can I apply?”).  We will communicate with you to coordinate the transfer of your SEVIS record from your current school to the ELI.

7. Financial Aid

The English Language Institute is a self-supporting auxiliary department, and as such we do not offer scholarships or other financial aid.  Here are links to online resources which offer recommendations on financing your U.S. studies:

Study USA Resources 

Study Abroad Handbook