General Terms and Conditions

Application
Please complete the application form and submit it along with the non-refundable application fee and the appropriate accommodation placement fee, if requesting placement. H.I.A. accepts students 15 years old and older.

H.I.A. accepts new students each session. All students take a mandatory placement test and an oral interview the first Monday of every session. An orientation to the school and the area is provided that afternoon. Classes begin on Tuesday.

Visa Information
For students registering for a full-time program, HIA will issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20 form) necessary to obtain an F-1 student visa.

To obtain an I-20 Form from our school, please fax or mail us an original certification showing that sufficient funds will be available for both your tuition and living expenses while studying at H.I.A.

Each one of the following documents (in English) is an acceptable form of certification:

1. A current personal bank statement or letter from your bank.
2. A letter of support from your parents/sponsor stating that they will be responsible for your expenses during your stay, and a bank statement or bank letter verifying their financial ability to meet your expenses.
3. A letter guaranteeing financial support from a sponsoring organization
4. A scholarship letter from your government.

The I-20 Form can only be issued after you have submitted your financial certification, a copy of your passport, signed application form, and application fee of $75 (non refundable).

If you fax these documents you will also need to mail all originals to us within 2 weeks. Since you will need to present some financial documentation to the U.S. consular officer when applying for a student visa, we suggest that you make sufficient copies of all financial documentation for both H.I.A. and visa application purposes.

Once we have received all required documents and your payment of the application fee, we will issue the I-20 form and mail it to you. You will then have to apply for the F-1 student visa at the American Embassy in your home country.

Fees

-Payment of Fees
All tuition, services fees, and housing costs must be paid at least 45 days before your course begins.

-Late Booking Express Delivery
If you apply less than 45 days before your course start date and require an I-20, you will be invoiced an additional fee ($75, non refundable) to cover express delivery charges.

-Medical Insurance
All students at H.I.A. must have medical insurance coverage, or sign a waiver. If you wish to use your own insurance, you must show proof of coverage upon arrival. Otherwise, H.I.A. can prepare the paperwork upon your arrival. Medical insurance coverage starts from the first day of classes.

-Airport Service
H.I.A. can provide airport service ($50.00) with a representative greeting you at the airport and transporting you to the school, your residence club, or homestay. We must receive your flight information at least 7 days prior to your arrival to provide airport transfer service. If we receive your flight information less than five days prior to your arrival, a $50 late fee will be added. Pick up hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Students arriving before or after these hours will need to pay an additional fee. Transfer fees will not be refunded if you fail to inform us of any changes in your itinerary at least 2 business days prior to your arrival. If H.I.A. fails to provide pick-up as agreed, compensation shall not exceed the original transfer fee.

-Accommodations
H.I.A. offers accommodations in residence clubs and homestays. Prices vary by the length of stay and meal options. Housing availability varies depending on the time of year. Students must be at least 18 to participate in the Residence Club Housing Program.

-Accommodations Cancellation Policy
Homestay: A minimum of a four week notice is required in order for you to receive your remaining balance for unused homestay. Without any notice, fifty percent (50%) of your next four week homestay period will be retained as a cancellation fee.
Residence Club: If you cancel your reservation within two weeks prior to your arrival, a $100 cancellation fee will apply. After arrival, a 30 day notice will be required to cancel, otherwise no refunds will be made.

-Books
Books must be purchased separately. Partial refund is possible for books returned in perfect condition without any marks, tears, paper folds, etc. Any book returned in less than perfect condition will not be refunded.

-Institutional Examinations
The institutional TOEIC and the institutional TOEFL exams are given once per month. You must sign up in advance. The cost is $60 per exam.

-Course Extension
Course extensions are possible. The sooner (7-day notice) you apply, the better chances for you to reserve a seat in the program of your choice. All additional course fees must be paid directly to H.I.A. or through your representative.

Refunds

-Visa Denial Provision
If you are applying for an F-1 visa to study in the U.S., and your application is refused for any reason, you will receive a 100% refund of all tuition fees paid. The Application Fee and Express delivery fees will not be refunded. You must return your I-20 Form by mail in order to receive a refund.

-Cancellation before Course starts
Prior to the first day of instruction, you have the right to cancel your course and receive a 100% refund of the amount paid for educational fees, less the Application Fee ($75). If Express delivery is incurred, it will not be refunded.

-Withdrawal or Cancellation after Course Starts
See Student Enrollment Agreement for pro-rated chart refund.

-Refund Example
You enroll for 10 weeks of the Intensive English Program course and pay $2,527 in tuition. You want to withdraw after 3 weeks, and present evidence of admission to a university. Your refund is calculated as follows:
3 weeks out of 10 weeks = 30% completed
$2,527 - $758 = $1,769
^ ^ ^
(total paid) (3 weeks non-refundable) (amount of refund)

You may only alter your program after you have completed a minimum of 4 weeks or your initial term of enrollment, whichever is shorter. Altering your program is NOT considered withdrawal or cancellation.

The school will pay or credit any refunds within 30 days from the date of notice. Notification of cancellation or withdrawal must be made in writing.

Course Confirmation & Acceptance Packet
You should receive a written notice of your acceptance. Along with your acceptance letter, you will receive information about the school, life in the U.S.A., airport transfers, and health insurance.

Academic Policies and Rules
As an H.I.A. student, you are subject to the H.I.A. rules and regulations. Regular attendance is expected. Three absences may result in suspension or failure. You will be graded on a weekly basis and are expected to master the course objectives through homework, quizzes, and participation. Satisfactory performance must be achieved before you continue at a higher level of instruction.

School Holidays
H.I.A. is closed during the following periods for school holidays. Course hours lost due to holidays are not rescheduled.

Holidays Observed in 2003 and 2004 (no classes)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 20, 2003 January 19, 2004
Presidents’ Day February 17, 2003 February 16, 2004
Memorial Day May 26, 2003 May 24, 2004
Independence Day July 4, 20003 July 4, 2004 (Sat)
Labor Day September 1, 2003 September 6, 2004
Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2003 November 25, 2004
Christmas Eve and Day December 24 & 25, 2003 December 24 & 25, 2004
New Year’s Eve and Day December 31, 2003 & January 1, 2004 December 31, 2004 & January 1, 2005

Liability
H.I.A. and its staff and representatives will not be liable for loss, damage, or injury to persons or property, however caused, except where liability is expressly imposed beyond exclusion by statute. H.I.A. will not be liable in the event that services contracted become impossible to supply by reason of any cause outside of the control of H.I.A.

This school is approved by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education for the State of California, to operate as a Non-Degree Granting School. The school has been reviewed and qualifies by the standards required for an institution of this type.

Any questions or problems concerning this school that have not been satisfactorily answered or resolved by the school should be directed to the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, 400 R Street, Suite 5000, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-3427. Students may also contact their local U.S. Consulate to resolve disputes or concerns regarding student visa issues.