International Students

I-20 Processing & Support Request Form

Required

International Students – Eligibility & Financial Requirements (F-1 Visa Only)

Introduction

Only international students who have already applied to and been accepted by The Mary Louis Academy (TMLA) and are seeking support with processing a Form I-20 for an F-1 visa may complete this form. If you have not applied yet, please go here.

This page/form collects the information required for TMLA to connect your family with the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens for I-20 processing. Submission of this form does not guarantee I-20 approval.

TMLA partners with the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens to facilitate I-20 processing in accordance with federal SEVP guidelines. While TMLA collects documentation and submits materials on your behalf, the Diocese ultimately determines eligibility and whether to issue the I-20.

The Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens supports I-20 issuance for F-1 student visas only and does not sponsor or support J-1 visas.

If I-20 approval is denied, delayed, or if an F-1 visa is not granted in time, TMLA may be required to rescind the student’s acceptance.

Students who hold Permanent Resident (Green Card), Resident Alien, or Resident Alien Permit Holder status do not need an I-20 and should follow the standard enrollment process.

Who Needs an I-20?

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must obtain a Form I-20 issued through the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens (facilitated by TMLA) in order to apply for an F-1 student visa.

The I-20 is not a visa. It is a Certificate of Eligibility confirming admission to a SEVP-certified school and is used to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Students must maintain lawful F-1 status throughout their enrollment at TMLA in order to remain enrolled and graduate.

Recommended Timeline

Rolling submissions are accepted. We recommend:

September entry: Apply by June 30
January entry (mid-year transfer): Apply by September 30

The process may take approximately four months but can vary depending on government processing times and embassy availability.

Financial Eligibility Requirements

Before starting the I-20 process, you must have:

A notarized letter of financial support from your U.S. guardian (translated into English if needed)
A U.S. bank statement showing funds for at least one year’s tuition and fees (TMLA does not provide room or board)

Example: Grade 11 Transfer – September 2026

$500 enrollment fee + $3,750 international fee + $12,500 tuition = $16,750 in proof-of-funds.

This does not include:

$200 processing fee
$350 SEVIS fee

Eligibility Notes

TMLA only accepts and enrolls female students.
International enrollment is limited to Grades 9–11.
New Grade 12 students are not accepted in September.
Grades 6–8 are not currently eligible for I-20 sponsorship.
Mid-year transfers are accepted if paperwork is approved by December.
No need-based financial aid is available for international students.
Grade 9 applicants by December 31 may be considered for merit scholarships.

English Proficiency

If English is not your country’s national language and you have not attended an English-instruction international school, you must demonstrate English proficiency sufficient for success at TMLA (recommended TOEFL score of 70 or higher).

If you meet the above eligibility requirements, please review the I-20 and F-1 Visa Application Process below.

I-20 & F-1 Visa Application Process

Step 1: Academic Acceptance & Required Payments

Following acceptance, you must pay:

$500 one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee
$3,750 annual international student fee
First installment of tuition

If your I-20 is not approved or if your F-1 visa is later not approved, only the annual international student fee and the first tuition installment are refundable.
The $500 enrollment fee is non-refundable.

Step 2: Submit I-20 Form + $200 Processing Fee

The $200 I-20 processing fee is paid to the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens for SEVP processing. This fee is non-refundable.

Step 3: Pay $350 SEVIS I-901 Fee

Paid directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at fmjfee.com.
This fee is non-refundable.

Step 4: Apply for the F-1 Visa

After paying the SEVIS fee and receiving your Form I-20 from the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens, you may apply for your F-1 student visa.

To apply:

Complete the DS-160 at ceac.state.gov
Schedule your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate
Pay the visa application fee (approximately $185)

Bring the following to your interview:

Valid passport
Signed I-20 issued by the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens
SEVIS fee receipt
DS-160 confirmation page
Visa fee receipt
TMLA acceptance letter
Financial documentation
Academic records

Final Enrollment & Ongoing Status

After visa approval, students must:

Maintain lawful F-1 status
Remain in good academic and disciplinary standing
Comply with all SEVP and school requirements

Failure to maintain lawful status may result in termination of enrollment.

Is the student currently residing in the United States?required

Yes

What grade will the student be in as of September 2026?required

Student's NamerequiredPlease enter the name of the prospective student here.

First Name

Middle (optional)

Last Name

Please enter the name of the prospective student here.

Student's Date of Birthrequired

Please write dates in mm/dd/year format.

Student's country of birthrequired

Please write in your response.

Student's country of citizenshiprequired

As per your passport.

Reason for I-20 requestrequiredCheck one.

Initial attendance (first entry to a U.S. school)

Initial attendance - SEVIS transfer (previously attended another U.S. school)

Check one.

See question above - if you are transferring within the U.S.:

Write in the responses all in this field.

Student's Foreign Addressrequired

Write in the Address, City, Country, Postal Code

Student's U.S. Addressrequired

Write in the Address Line 1, Address Line 2, City, State, Zip

Parent or Guardian's NamerequiredPlease write the name of the parent or guardian with whom the student will be staying in the U.S.

Title (optional)

First Name

Middle (optional)

Last Name

Please write the name of the parent or guardian with whom the student will be staying in the U.S.

Parent or Guardian's Phone Numberrequired

Please write the phone of the parent or guardian with whom the student will be staying in the U.S.

Parent or Guardian's Relationship to Studentrequired

Please write the relationship to the student of the parent/guardian in the U.S.

Parent or Guardian's E-mailrequired

Please write the e-mail of the parent or guardian with whom the student will be staying in the U.S.

Expected Start Daterequired

Put the first day of the month and year in mm/dd/yyyy format. (Must contain a date in MM/DD/YYYY format). Valid range: Sep 1, 2025 – Sep 1, 2026

Expected Graduation Daterequired

Write in June of the year of your anticipated graduation; use mm/dd/yyyy format. (Must contain a date in MM/DD/YYYY format)

Upload a notarized letter of financial support written (and translated into English, if necessary) by the guardian with a bank statement from a US Bank showing sufficient funds to cover the student's expenses for at least one year. required

Attach up to 2 files with a maximum size of 10MB

No file chosen

Please upload both the notarized letter and bank statement here.

Upload a notarized letter from the student's parent(s) identifying the guardian.required

Attach up to 2 files with a maximum size of 10MB

No file chosen

Please include a photocopy of the U.S. guardian's identification, e.g. a passport or state ID.

Upload a copy of the student's Passport and I-94 (where applicable).required

Attach up to 2 files with a maximum size of 10MB

No file chosen

Form of payment for the $200 SEVIS processing fee via TMLArequiredReminder: no paperwork will be processed until TMLA receives payment of this fee.

Pay the $200 processing fee via cash in person at TMLA, M-F between 8 AM - 1 PM ($200.00)

Pay the $200 processing fee online via card plus the $6.80 processing fee, for a total of $206.80 ($206.80)

Reminder: no paperwork will be processed until TMLA receives payment of this fee.

AcknowledgmentsrequiredYour application will not be processed without your consent to these terms.

Acknowledgments

Both the student applicant and their guardian understand that:

My acceptance to TMLA is conditional upon I-20 and F-1 visa approval before the first day of school.
TMLA is not responsible for I-20 or F-1 processing times.
I cannot begin classes until both approvals are confirmed.
The $200 processing fee and $500 enrollment fee are non-refundable once paid.
The $350 SEVIS fee is separate and paid at my own risk.
No student may study at TMLA unless they are housed with a local and legal guardian for the duration of their enrollment with us.
International students who are neither from countries in which English is not a national language nor have they attended an international school must demonstrate English proficiency to the equivalent of a TOEFL score of 70 or higher to be successful at TMLA.

Your application will not be processed without your consent to these terms.

If you answered "No," in which country does the student currently reside?

Payment Information

Please select a payment typerequired

Credit CardCash

Billing Addressrequired

Address

City

State/Province

Country

Zip/Postal Code

Cardholder Namerequired

First

Last

Expirationrequired

Month

Year

Please pay in person with our general office staff. Summer Hours: 8 AM - 1 PM School Year Hours: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM