Certified true copies of academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended in the original language issued. Official transcripts are documents sealed in an envelope issued by the institution that bears the signature of the Registrar and the seal of the institution. If your previous institution is not able to provide official transcripts in English, applicants must submit an official evaluation. A list of some service providers is listed below. Please email admissions@nyaa.edu with questions about the evaluation process or other providers not listed.

Transcripts must be sent directly from your undergraduate institution to the Academy to be considered official. The Academy accepts electronic transcripts through eSCRIP-SAFE, Naviance, Student Clearing House and other verified transcript servicers. Hardcopies of transcripts must be mailed directly to the Academy by the undergraduate institution:

New York Academy of Art
ATTN: Admissions
111 Franklin Street
New York, NY 10013
admissions@nyaa.edu

• • A2Z Evaluations, LLC a2zeval.com
  • Academic Evaluation Services, Inc. aes-edu.org
  • Ceneter for Applied Research, Evaluations, & Education, Inc. iescaree.com
  • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. ece.org
  • Educational Perspectives, nfp. edperspective.org
  • Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. eres.com
  • Evaluation Service, Inc. evaluationservice.net
  • Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc. facsusa.com
  • Foundation for International Services, Inc. fis-web.com
  • Global Credential Evaluators, Inc. gceus.com
  • Global Services Associates, Inc. globaleval.org
  • International Academic Credential Evaluators, Inc. iacei.net
  • International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. icdeval.com
  • International Education Research Foundation, Inc. ierf.org
  • International Education Evaluations, Inc. foreigntranscripts.com
  • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company spantran.com
  • Transcript Research transcriptresearch.com
  • World Educational Services wes.org

Those whose native language is not English must also demonstrate evidence of English language proficiency by supplying TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.

The Academy requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the computer-based test (550 on the paper-based test), a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or a minimum Duolingo score of 105. An interview with the Director of Admissions may supplement the TOEFL or IELTS for those applicants with low or below minimum scores. Please contact the Admissions Office, admissions@nyaa.edu to schedule an interview.

Those taking the TOEFL should use TOEFL School Code 7690 and indicate that scores should be sent to: New York Academy of Art, ATTN: Admissions, 111 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.

Exemptions: International applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s degree at a US post-secondary institution or an institution in which the primary language of instruction is English are exempt from this requirement.

Information on the TOEFL can be found at www.ets.org/toefl. Information on the IELTS can be found at www.ielts.org. Information on Duolingo can be found at www.duoling.com.

International applicants are eligible for and will be considered for all Academy merit-based scholarships. To apply, indicate that you are interested in applying for scholarships on the online MFA, CFA or SURP application form. You must submit a complete application by the filing deadline to be considered. International students are encouraged to apply for the early consideration deadline.

**Due to COVID-19, USCIS has permitted us to send you a digitally signed I-20 by email. You will to print this form, sign it, and bring to your visa interview. If you do not have access to a printer during this time, please let us know. We are able to print a physical copy to be sent to you via FedEx.**

The New York Academy of Art is authorized to offer F1 student visas for the MFA and CFA programs. Students attending the SURP program may attend under the B1/2 Tourist Visa, as the program is not credit-bearing. For more information, please email admissions@nyaa.edu.

International students are expected to provide evidence of ability to pay full tuition and living expenses for the first year before a U.S. visa can be issued. Funding sources for international students are limited. It is critical that international students formulate a plan for funding the entire length of the program during the application process.

International applicants to the MFA and CFA programs must complete and submit the Academy’s Form I-20 Application with proof of funding documentation. Fully accepted international students who have submitted proof of funding are provided with an I-20 Form.

After receiving the new Academy Form I-20, international students must pay the I-901 Fee. To complete the application and obtain the F1 visa, students must then make an appointment for a visa interview at their local U.S. embassy or consulate. The Form I-20 and supporting documentation must be presented at the interview. Questions? Email admissions@nyaa.edu.

MFA Form I-20 Application

CFA Form I-20 Application

Sponsor Form – Funding (Cash Support)

Sponsor Form – Room & Board

Those accepted to the Academy who are currently studying at a US institution on an F-1 Visa and/or receiving OPT must also complete the Academy’s transfer-in application form.

I-20 Transfer-in Supplemental Form

Applicants already living in the US may be eligible to study at the Academy. Be aware that certain visas may limit international students’ ability to work in the US. For more information non-immigrant visas and the F-1 application process, please contact the Office of Admissions admissions@nyaa.edu.

Contact an Academy DSO as soon as you know you must obtain F-1 status in order to discuss your options. This change of status can be especially challenging, and it may be best to travel, apply for an F-1 visa abroad, and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status.

Important Notes

• J-1 students who are subject to the two year residency rule cannot apply for a change of status in the U.S. unless they receive a waiver for this requirement.
• F-1 status cannot begin earlier than 30 days before the start date on your I-20. You should submit your application as soon as possible in advance, and you must be able to maintain your current J-1 status until 30 days before the I-20 start date.
• If your Ds-2019 will expire prior to 30 days before your I-20 start date, your application will most likely be denied. You will need to apply for an extension  of your J-1 Status in order to maintain status. Even though you are allowed to stay in the U.S. while the application is pending, if your application is likely to be denied, it will be better for you to travel, obtain an F-1 visa abroad, and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status.

Change of Status Instructions

1. Obtain an admission letter from the Academy.
2. Meet with an Academy DSO to discuss your options for obtaining an F1 visa.
3. Prepare the required documents and follow next steps below for obtaining F-1 status

Option 1: Travel and Reentry
Plan your travel and F-1 visa appointment accordingly.

1. Obtain an initial Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,. Please complete the Academy’s I-20 Application Form using one of the forms below and submit to the Academy’s DSO. The DSO will review your application and notify you when your I-20 is ready.
   • Academy MFA I-20 Application Form
   • Academy CFA I-20 Application Form
2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
3. Schedule a visa appointment at the local consulate in your home country by visiting www.ustraveldocs.com and review all the requirements to apply for the F-1 visa. You can apply for the F-1 visa within 120 days of the start date on your I-20.
4. Once a visa is obtained, you can enter the U.S. with your I-20 and F-1 visa no earlier than 30 days before the I-20 start date.

Option 2: Change of Status in the U.S.
The Academy DSO will issue you a Change of Status SEVIS I-20 to be included in your admission packet. ISS will help guide you as to what is needed for your application packet, but it is your responsibility to mail the packet to USCIS. We highly suggest that you mail your application to the USCIS lockbox and do not complete it through the USCIS Electronic System.

1. Obtain an initial Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,. Please complete the Academy’s I-20 Application Form using one of the forms above in the “Initial F-1 & Form I-20 Application” section and submit to the Academy’s DSO. The DSO will review your application and notify you when your I-20 is ready.
2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
3. Completed Original Form I-539: You can obtain the application form online at I-539 Change of Status Application Instructions. Please be sure to open it in Adobe in order to type your answers. We suggest that you type all your answers, as the forms are fed through a scanner at USCIS.
4. Gather the following:
   • • $290 fee: check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”
     • I-94 record: If you have an I94 card, send the original with your application (keep a copy for yourself.) If you have an electronic I94, print a copy off at i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94. Please be sure this is your most recent I-94 record, as this date is very important to your application.
     • Photocopy of the visa page and identification page in your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least another year. Make sure to include a photocopy the most recent entry stamp in your passport.
     • Photocopy of the signed I-20 issued in your name by the Academy. Make sure to sign and date the bottom of the first page
     • Detailed evidence of financial support. This includes bank statements showing proof of funds to afford the Academy as well as a copy of the Agreement of Support form submitted to the college. Proof of funds must be current, liquid, and accessible.
     • Photocopy of proof of payment of the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
     • Photocopy of all your DS-2019’s
     • Detailed letter requesting and explaining the need to change status.The letter should:
       • Be addressed “Dear Immigration Services Officer”.
       • Explain what you are applying for (i.e. change from J-1 to F1 visa) and why you are applying.
       • Include a statement that you plan to return home after completion of your studies and how you plan to you use your education when back at home.
       • List all the contents of your application.
       • Include your contact information and an original signature.
5. Make a copy of your entire packet to keep on record.
6. Mail entire packet to:
   • If sending by Certified, Return Receipt mail through the post office:
     • USCIS P.O. Box 660166 Dallas, TX 75266

• • OR if sending by USPS Express Mail/Courier:
    • USCIS ATTN: I-539 2501 S. State Highway 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067

Change of Address
If you need to move from your current place of residence and have not yet received your NOA or your decision notice, be sure to update your address with USCIS by completing the online AR-11 Change of Address Form. Failure to complete the AR-11 can lead to your documents being mailed to the wrong place. If your documents get lost in the mail, USCIS may charge a fee for sending duplicate documents. It may also further delay the processing time for your application.

I am currently working in the U.S. on an OPT work visa with a valid I-20, however, my undergraduate F-1 visa expires before my I-20. Do I need to return home before the start of the semester so that I may renew my F-1 visa?

Your I-20 is the document that gives you legal status in the US. Your visa is what allows you to enter the US when traveling. As long as you have a valid I-20, you can stay! You do not have to go home to reapply for your visa now. The next time you travel outside the US, you will need to re-apply for your Visa to be able to return to the US.

You can transfer your I-20 to the Academy before the expiration date. We would suggest choosing a date closer to the expiration, so you can keep working. As soon as your I-20 is transferred, you will no longer be able to work.

Do my sponsors have to provide proof/bank statements for one or two years of tuition and living costs?

Your sponsor will need to provide proof of income that shows they can support two years. This does not mean they have the full two years of funding in a bank account. It could be a combination of funds existing in a bank account and proof of their monthly or annual income.

My sponsor has transferred a certain amount of money into an account under my name. Should I put it under my personal funds? The form it asks for the amount available to me from my own resources every year. Should I divide the amount by two, so I can count that as “every year?” 

You should list this amount under “Personal Funds.” If this is the total amount your sponsor will transfer to you for the two years, list half of the total amount. If you expect to get additional funds from your sponsor next year, list the full amount you have in the account.

Is a digital signature okay? My sponsor is abroad.

Yes.

If I have free housing, do I deduct the amount allotted for utilities and housing from the total that I need to provide proof of funds for? How should I fill out the “sources of my support” as it pertains to the annual amount allotted for room and board?

You must include those amounts in the total – do not deduct them. If you are coming without dependents, the total is $77,522.00.  Then, under “Free Room and Board from a Sponsor” on the sources of support chart page 10, list $25,232.00 as the sponsorship covers housing, utilities, food/clothing.

If I transfer to a graduate-level OPT right now, how will it affect my current visa and OPT status? I have not completed all 12 months of mu undergraduate OPT. Does it affect my future OPT application opportunity? Since I can only apply for OPT once per degree level, does transferring my OPT to the Academy render me unable to apply after I complete the program?

You can only transfer your I-20 to the Academy’s Master Level program. Your current OPT is attached to your undergraduate degree and cannot be transferred. Once the transfer of the I-20 is complete, you are no longer eligible to work and lose any remaining months of undergraduate OPT. So, when you speak to the DSO at your current school, select a transfer date close to the expiration date, so you can keep working.

Attending the Academy will make you eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT at the graduate level. After you complete the MFA program, you will be able to apply again.

Do I need to email my previous school first to get a release date before I apply to a new I-20?

You can send us the I-20 application with documents first. Then, you can send us the completed transfer form later. We will not proceed with making the I-20 until we receive the complete transfer form from you with the release date.