International Student Information Packet

In This Packet…
Admissions....................................................................................................................1
Financial Aid..................................................................................................................2
Visa Information............................................................................................................3
Housing..........................................................................................................................5

Full Sail University
3300 University Boulevard  •  Winter Park, FL 32792  •  407.679.0100  •  800.226.7625
 Full Sail University
International Student Information Packet
 International Student Information Packet
International Student Center

Please read the following information very carefully before you begin your application process. This information should
answer most of your questions regarding the application and student visa process.

For detailed program information, the Full Sail Catalog can be accessed at www.fullsail.com/fs1/catalog. An Admissions
Representative can also assist you with any questions you may have regarding the degree programs offered at Full Sail.
Questions about Immigration and concerns specifically relating to international students should be directed to the
International Student Center. The contact information for the International Student Center can be found on the last page
of this document.

I.  Admissions
The following documents are required to get enrolled and be issued an I-20 Form. The I-20 form is needed to apply for a
student visa at the U.S. Embassy in your home country:

• Enrollment Application
• Application fee - $75.00 USD
• Seat deposit - $200.00 USD
• High school/secondary school transcript
• University or College Transcripts (for entrance into graduate programs or transfer credit requests)
• Financial guarantee
• Verification of language proficiency (if native language is NOT English)
• Copy of the identification page of your passport
• Letter of Recommendation (must be from a professional source)
• Signed and dated Enrollment Agreement
• Signed and dated GPS Contract

The Application
To begin the process, you must first submit a completed application form with the $75.00 USD application fee. You may
include the $200.00 USD seat deposit at the same time to reserve your seat. The application can be mailed or faxed, or
you may enroll online. The web address for the online application is: www.fullsail.com/enap.cfm.

The following methods are acceptable for payment of application and tuition fees:

• Electronic bank transfer - Please consult the International Student Center for current electronic transfer
information
• Check drawn on a U.S. bank
• Any of these major credit cards: VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover, or Debit Card

High School/Secondary School Records

The minimum academic requirement for admission to Full Sail for the Bachelor of Science Degree or the Associate of
Science Degree is the completion of high school or secondary school. The high school or secondary documentation is
required even if you have college or university work. A transcript (record of subjects/courses and grades) and verification
of graduation is required. The document(s) must represent the equivalence of high school graduation in the U.S. All
documents not written in English must be submitted along with a certified English translation. Please contact the
International Student Center for the specific documents required according to country of study.

University/College Records
Official University or College transcripts are required for admission into a graduate program or for transfer credit
requests. If your documents are from another country, they must be submitted to an education credential evaluation
service to determine U.S. degree equivalency. A bachelor’s degree or the equivalence, with a minimum grade point
average of 2.5, is required for admission into a graduate degree program. All documents not written in English must be
submitted along with a certified English translation. Please contact the International Student Center for recommended
evaluation services.
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International Student Information Packet 1

 English Language Proficiency
Proof of English Language Proficiency is required of all students whose native language is not English. Language
verification is not required if you graduated from a school in the U.S., UK, Australia or Canada (except Quebec). You may
either submit TOEFL scores, IELTS Scores or, you may submit certification of English Language Studies.

TEST MINIMUM SCORE TO REGISTER

TOEFL
Internet 79 www.ets.org
Paper 550
Computer 213

IELTS 6 www.ielts.org
ELS Program Level 112 www.els.edu

Please note the Institutional TOEFL is not acceptable. Our school code for the TOEFL is 7867. Scores are available as early
as 15 business days from the date of testing.

Please inform your Admissions Representative or the International Student Center if you will be taking the TOEFL or
IELTS, or if you will be enrolling in an English language program. If you plan to enroll in an English language program,
we can provide you with a list of acceptable programs in the area.

Enrollment Agreement
The Enrollment Agreement (EA) is your contract with Full Sail. It will be mailed to you after your application and fees have
been processed depending on your start date. The EA must be signed and dated on page 4 and initialed on all pages as
indicated. It does not need to be notarized. Pages one and four of the document can be faxed to us for the purpose of
issuing the I-20, but we will require the original signed and dated document before your start date.

II.  Financial Aid

International students are not eligible for financial aid from the U.S. Government. If you receive a FAFSA Form, please
disregard it. This form is for U.S. citizens only. However, international students can receive financial assistance through
private loans. Please contact a Financial Aid Advisor for the most current information regarding the availability of private
loans.

The Financial Guarantee

The financial guarantee is verification that you will have the required funding for tuition and living expenses available to
you while you are studying at Full Sail. Noted below are several forms of verifying funding. All financial documentation
submitted must be in English. Please contact the International Student Center for the minimum amount required based
on your degree program.

Sponsor Supported
If you will be financially supported by your parents, other relative, or a friend, the Affidavit of Support Form and a bank
letter or bank statement are required.

Affidavit of Support Form

The Affidavit of Support Form must be completed in its entirety, signed and dated. It does not need to be notarized.
Please refer to the Affidavit of Support Form included in this packet.

Bank Letter or Bank Statement

The bank letter is a written document from a financial institution, which confirms that sufficient funds are available to
cover the tuition, living expenses and institutional fee for the first 12 months of your program. The total amount for tuition
and living expenses must be stated in the letter. The letter must also be on the institution’s official stationery/letterhead.
Please refer to the sample bank letter included in this packet.
A bank statement is also acceptable. A bank statement shows account activity such as deposits and withdrawals. If you
submit a bank statement, please block or remove the account number.

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 Self Supported
If you are financially supporting yourself and have an account with sufficient funds in your name, you will not need to
submit the Affidavit of Support Form. Either a bank letter or a bank statement is required.

Private Loan
If you are approved for a private loan, and if the loan covers tuition and living expenses for the first 12 months of your
program, the Affidavit of Support and bank letter/statement are not required. Verification of approval of the loan and the
amount of the loan is required.

Scholarship or Corporate Funding

If you have a scholarship or a grant or will be receiving corporate funding for the first 12 months of your program,
verification of the amount and duration of the funding is required (example: the 2009-2010 school year or 2009-2011
school years) This information must be written on official stationery/letterhead of the scholarship agency or corporation.

Do not mail your original financial guarantee documents to Full Sail. Copies or faxes of these documents are sufficient.
The original documents will be required at the Embassy when you apply for your Visa.

Tuition and Living Expenses

The cost of tuition includes all books, course materials, and lab fees for the duration of the program. Living expenses for
a single student are estimated at $1200.00 each month. Living expenses include rent for an apartment, utilities (lights
and water), telephone, food, transportation, etc. These items are paid for and managed by the student. Verification of
additional funding is required if you will be accompanied by a spouse and/or children. An additional $600.00 each month
is required for the spouse and an additional $300.00 each month is required for each dependent child. Estimated tuition
and living expenses for the duration of each degree program are listed below. However, confirmation of funds for the
issuance of the I-20 only needs to cover the first 12 months of tuition and living as well as the cost of the institutional fee.
Please contact the International Student Center for the specific amount that applies to your preferred degree program.

Institutional Fees
The student will incur institutional fees (separate from tuition) for the cost of a computer and software configured in
accordance with program specifications and range up to $2,960 for start dates through November 23, 2009. Computer
and software prices and specifications will vary depending on start date, availability and manufacturer changes. Due to
specific programming requirements, Game development students will receive a PC laptop which ranges up to $2,100 for
start dates through November 23, 2009.
Online students living outside the continental United States will incur an additional fee for the cost of shipping their
computer, software, equipment, and educational materials configured in accordance with their degree program
specifications, which will change from time to time. This shipping fee to students living outside the continental United
States will be separate from tuition and in addition to the cost of the computer, software and equipment specific to their
degree program.  The shipping fee may vary depending on the online student’s place of residence.

Payment of Tuition
You may pay your tuition in one lump sum or you may wish to take advantage of the payment plan noted on the Enrollment
Agreement. Please contact your Admissions Representative for payment details.

III.  Visa Information

You will need an F-1 student visa. This visa will allow you to study for the duration of your program and does require
full time study. Before applying for your visa, you should either contact the Consulate/Embassy or visit their website to
determine the requirements for applying for the F-1 student visa in your home country.

http://www.usembassy.gov

In order to obtain an F-1 student visa you will need an I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non immigrant Students).
For the I-20 Form to be issued, your Admissions file must be complete. All documents must be reviewed and accepted.
Faxed copies of all documents, except the academic transcripts, are acceptable for the issuance of the I-20. The original
Enrollment Agreement, GPS Contract and academic transcripts must be submitted to the Admissions Office.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, a visa is not required to enter and study in the U.S. However, the
I-20 Form is required for student status.

SEVIS Fee Payment

The SEVIS I-901 fee is mandated by Congress to support the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the
automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while
in the United States. Each student or exchange visitor issued an initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 on or after October 27, 2008,
is responsible for paying the $200 fee to SEVP. The fee can either be paid by mail with a check, via the Internet using a

International Student Information Packet 3

 credit card or through Western Union. For more information, please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
website. The link to their website is www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq2.htm. Confirmation of the SEVIS Fee payment is required
before the visa will be issued. This confirmation must be filed with your visa application.

PLEASE NOTE:  Although citizens of Canada and Bermuda are not required to apply for a visa to study in the U.S., they are
required to pay the SEVIS Fee.

SEVIS Fee Reimbursement

Where applicable, Full Sail will reimburse each student for up to $100 of the $200 SEVIS Fee after they have attended
registration and orientation. The student should submit payment confirmation to the International Student Center for
reimbursement.

Students or Other Applicants Already in the U.S.

If you are already enrolled in a school in the U.S on an F-1 student visa, an electronic SEVIS transfer can be done. We will
provide you with a transfer form that will have to be completed by your International Student Advisor at your current
school. The International Student Advisor will also have to electronically transfer your SEVIS record to Full Sail in order
for us to issue a new I-20. To complete the transfer, please submit a copy of your I-20, the visa page from your passport,
the front and back of the I-94 and the identification page of your passport with the name, photo and expiration date.
Immigration does not assess a fee for the transfer.

If you are on an M-1 visa, a change to F-1 status in the U.S. is not permitted. You would have to leave the U.S. and obtain
an F-1 visa.

If you are in the U.S. on another type of visa, including J-1, that permits you to change your status, the change can be
made in the U.S. Copies of your Immigration documents (I-94 front and back, identification pages from your passport and
any other pertinent information) are required. Please Note: J-1 visa holders that are under the 2-year home rule restriction
must have that requirement waived before applying for a change of status. The current fee assessed by Immigration for a
change of visa status is $300.00.

Working in the U.S. on an F-1 Visa

Off-campus employment is not permitted while you are in your degree program. Only On-campus employment is
allowed without Immigration approval. Students may work a maximum of 20 hours a week when school is in session.
Full-time employment is permitted during official school breaks. International students are only employed by our Behind
the Scenes Tour Department. They require 90 percent class attendance for a minimum of 45 days, and a minimum grade
point average of 85 percent before employment is granted.

Optional Practical Training after Completion of Studies

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment where you are permitted by Immigration to work in the U.S. to
gain specialized training in your field of study. OPT is permitted after the completion of each higher degree level and
is limited to twelve (12) months for each degree. The training is not automatic; an application must be submitted to the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S.C.I.S.) for employment authorization. The International Student
Center will contact students approximately three (3) months before graduation and assist with the application process.

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IV.  Housing
Full Sail does not provide on-campus housing. Our students live off campus in apartments near the school. As your start
date approaches, please contact the Housing Department for information on the surrounding apartment complexes and
roommate availability. They can be contacted by telephone at (407) 679-6333.

Arriving in the Orlando Area

Please be aware that it is your responsibility to make arrangements for your arrival into the Orlando area. It is also your
responsibility to establish all the services you will require during your stay such as electricity, telephone, bank accounts,
renting furniture, transportation to and from school, etc. In order to make the necessary arrangements before classes
begin, you should try to arrive a week before school starts. Should you require special assistance, please contact your
Admissions Representative or the International Student Center.

Contact Information
We hope you find this information helpful as you make your plans to achieve the career of your dreams. For further
assistance please contact your Admissions Representative or the International Student Center.

Alexandra Cano Jennifer Egan

International Liaison International Liaison
800.226.7625  (toll free in the U.S.)
407.679.6333  (outside the U.S.)
FAX:  407.215.9486
EMAIL:  admissionsinternational@fullsail.com

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International Student Information Packet 5

 Tuition and Living Expense Breakdown
2009-2010 Degree Programs

Associate of Science Degree Program (AS) - Campus

Program Tuition Living Expenses Length (months) Total
Graphic Design $36,775 $15,600 13 $52,375

Bachelor of Science Degree Program (BS) - Campus

Program Tuition Living Expenses Length (months) Total
Computer Animation $74,660 $25,200 21 $99,860
Digital Arts & Design $74,275 $25,200 21 $99,475
Entertainment Business $53,000 $25,200 21 $78,200
Film $75,075 $25,200 21 $100,275
Game Art $75,775 $25,200 21 $100,975
Game Development $75,775 $25,200 21 $100,975
Recording Arts $69,780 $25,200 21 $94,980
Show Production $69,780 $25,200 21 $94,980
Web Design & Development $75,775 $25,200 21 $100,975

Master of Science Degree Program (MS) - Campus

Program Tuition Living Expenses Length (months) Total
Entertainment Business $32,800 $15,600 13 $48,400
Game Design $29,500 $14,400 12 $43,900

Associate of Science (AS) to Bachelor of Science Degree Program (BS) - Campus

Program Tuition Living Expenses Length (months) Total
Music Business $32,800 $12,000 10 $44,800
Music Business - Non FS grad $38,700 $14,400 12 $53,100
Recording Arts - FS grads only $22,285 TBD 5 or 9 TBD

Bachelor of Science Degree Program (BS) - Online

Program Tuition Living Expenses Length (months) Total
Computer Animation $54,000 32 $54,000
Entertainment Business $53,000 25 $53,000
Graphic Design $54,000 32 $54,000
Internet Marketing $53,000 25 $53,000
Music Business $53,000 32 $53,000
Web Design & Development $54,000 27 $54,000

Master of Science Degree Program (MS) - Online

Program Tuition Living Expenses Length (months) Total
Education Media & Technology $28,000 12 $28,000
Entertainment Business $29,800 13 $29,800
Internet Marketing $28,000 12 $28,000
Media Design MFA (Fine Arts) $34,980 12 $34,980

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