Notice

Dear Students,

 

We hope you are doing well!

 

The President of NYFA, Michael Young, sent an email yesterday explaining plans for the Fall 2020 start date. NYFA is planning to hold "hybrid classes" in the Fall which means a combination of online classes and on campus classes. As per the new government guidance issued earlier this week, you will be allowed to enter the US as a F1 student taking hybrid classes (provided you have a I 20 certificate, valid F1 visa and valid passport at least 6 months into the future upon entry to the US).

 

It is important to understand that if for any reason NYFA must switch to all online classes, F1 international students will not be able to continue attending all online classes and remain in the US. Your options would be to transfer to one of NYFA’s other campuses or another school (that has all on campus classes or hybrid classes) or change your status to something else (tourist for example), or depart the US and continue your studies with NYFA online from outside of the US.

 

 

YES: You will need an updated I 20 that states that NYFA programs will be not be entirely online. You will need this in order to apply for a visa and to enter the US. Please note this I 20 will have the same SEVIS ID# and you will not have to pay a new SEVIS fee. Please reply to this email with your current mailing address with phone number so we can send you this updated I 20 (via express courier).

 

NO: Once you have confirmed you will be attending, have been accepted, submitted the required deposit and submitted the required documents for the I 20 application, we will process and send the I 20 to you with the remark that the program will not be entirely online. We will send you an email to confirm the I 20 has been sent along with instructions on how to pay the SEVIS fee.

 

Do you plan to start your studies online from outside the US? Please contact us to let us know. You will be issued an I 20 with the January second semester start date in order to obtain a visa and enter the US within 30 days of the January second semester start date. If you already have an I 20 we will have to send you a new one with updated program dates. Please note this I 20 will have the same SEVIS ID number so you will not have to pay a new SEVIS fee.

 

Do you plan to defer your start date? Please contact us to let us know. If you already have an I 20 we will have to send you a new one with updated program dates. Please note this I 20 will have the same SEVIS ID number so you will not have to pay a new SEVIS fee.

 

US Embassy and Visa Appointments: We understand that most US embassies are still currently closed and not scheduling visa appointments so it may be very difficult to obtain a visa to arrive to NYFA in time to start the program in the US in September. Please continue to check with the US embassy in your home country for information on scheduling a visa appointment:

 

Travel Restrictions: Please also keep in mind any travel restrictions from the country you are departing from, any layovers you may have and entering the US. Please see here for the most up to date information and to click on a summary of travel restrictions based on country:  

 

Please note that federal regulations for F1 students are from the US government and all international students and NYFA must comply with these rules and regulations. If there are any additional updates and/or changes we will be in touch with you.