Application to the English Language Institute
To be accepted, please provide the following:
You will receive an email confirming receipt of your online application 24 to 48 hours after you submitted it. The email will contain your login name and password to log into the myELI website.
Applications must include the email address, phone number, and address of the student. If an agency, company, friend, or relative is completing the application on behalf of a student, that information must be included in the “how did you find out about the ELI” section of the application.
2. $125 application fee. If you do not have a UF Gatorlink account, select UF Guest Login Account and then Create Account. It is important to use your own (the student’s) name and contact information. You will have an option later to add payment information. After you create your UF account it is important to save your UF identification number and Gatorlink password. You will use these while you are a student at the University of Florida. The application fee is non-refundable. Click here for instructions to pay the $125 application fee (PDF).
Note: if you or the person assisting you with the application is part of the University of Florida, you can pay a $50 UF Affiliate application fee. Please email studyenglish@eli.ufl.edu for the payment link.
After you log into myELI, you can upload the required application documents:
3. Proof of secondary school completion that is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.
4. Proof of financial responsibility if you intend to study on an F-1 visa. Use the ELI’s Certificate of Financial Responsibility (PDF). The total estimated cost for each semester is provided in the Certificate of Financial Responsibility and our Calendar. Financial documents must be in English.
Government and University Sponsored Students: If you will have a financial guarantee from your government or university, we can only accept an application directly from you or your government/university sponsor. We are unable to accept applications from private third-party agents for students with government or university-based financial guarantees.
5. A copy of your passport.
Documents should be uploaded to myELI.
When we receive your complete application, supporting documents, and fee, we will evaluate the materials. We may ask for a Zoom meeting or additional documentation if needed. An application can be denied if false information is provided on the application or the supporting documents. When admitted, students can access their admissions documents in myELI.
Students applying for the F-1 student visa can access their I-20 in their myELI account. You will need to schedule a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate. Also, you will need to pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee. This fee is from the US government and must be paid before your visa interview. The visa application process can take some time, so be sure to apply for the visa at least one month before you plan to arrive in Gainesville. You can see visa appointment waits for each US embassy at this site.
If the applicant is not yet 18 years old by the start date of the semester, a parent or guardian must sign and date a Waiver of Liability (PDF example here), UF Health waivers, and any waivers on the Immunization Form (PDF) before the semester starts.
Immunizations Requirement
The University of Florida requires all students to submit a record of their immunizations on this form (PDF) only. You can find more information about required immunizations on our Immunization and Insurance Requirements page. You do not need to submit the immunization form with your application, but you will need to submit the immunization form at the start of your first semester.
Health Insurance Requirement
Students are required to show proof of health insurance coverage for the entire ELI term (NOT month-by-month). You will not be allowed to attend classes without it. You can find more information and suggested plans on our Immunization and Insurance Requirements page.
Application Deadline
In order to allow time to issue immigration documents and to make sure that space will be available, completed applications should be in the ELI at least three weeks before the session begins. For the exact date, check the Calendar & Fees.
Admission to the University of Florida
Admission to the ELI is not the same as admission to the University of Florida. If you wish to obtain admission to the university, you must apply there directly. You can request the necessary forms from the Admissions Office, Criser Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A. You can also visit the University of Florida website or UF International Admissions.
Regulations for International Students
International students must follow these regulations established by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
- Applicants are required to show proof of financial responsibility (in English). A completed Certificate of Financial Responsibility (PDF) showing enough funding to cover your chosen session’s expenses is sufficient (see Calendar & Fees for expenses).
- The immigration documents issued by the ELI are valid only while the student is at the ELI. They may not be transferred to another person.
- Students must maintain their status as ELI students. Students are expected to attend class regularly to maintain student status.
- If you need more information about obtaining a visa from the United States, the EducationUSA and Department of State sites might be useful.
Refund Policy
The ELI application fee is non-refundable. Tuition is refundable in full up until the third day of classes for each semester. Tuition is non-refundable after the third day of classes. Tuition paid with a credit card must be refunded to the credit card used to make the payment. Tuition paid with cashier’s check or money order will be refunded via check. A check refund may take 6-8 weeks to process. In order to drop classes and receive a refund, a student must complete a drop-add form or a withdrawal form before the drop-add deadline. There are no refunds or tuition credits after the drop-add deadline.
Accommodations for students with disabilities
If you experience learning barriers due to a disability, please contact Christine Voigt as soon as you can. She will help you talk to the UF Disabilities Resource Center about accommodations. You will need to do this every semester you attend the ELI.