1. What is financial certification?

Financial certification means that you must provide proof that sufficient funds are available to you to pay your living and tuition expenses while you are enrolled at NYGC.  If any of your family members will be with your while you are studying, their living expenses must be met by their student-dependent (F-2) visas.  The following are all acceptable methods of certification:

• A current personal bank statement or an official English letter from your bank.
• An affidavit and letter from your sponsor claiming responsibility for your expenses while you are a student at NYGC.  In addition, your sponsor must also provide a bank statement/letter verifying that they are able to financially support your needs while you are a student.
• A letter from your employer guaranteeing the income you will be receiving from them.
• An official scholarship letter from your government or organization. 

We advise all our students to make multiple copies of all your documents since you will need to submit them to NYGC and for your visa application.

2. What documents are required to apply?

All the courses at NYGC require the following documents:

• A completed NYGC application for admission signed by the student.
• Proof of financial evidence that is either in English or translated into English showing your bank account balance in U.S. currency.
• A non-refundable registration fee for U.S. $100.
• If you are a transfer student, you must have all your previous I-20 forms.

Once NYGC International Student Office receives all of your documents and completed application, your application will be processed within two business days and your acceptance packet and I-20 will be sent to you.  On average, the packet takes about two weeks to arrive.  However, we do offer expedited service.  If you interested in expediting your shipping, please check this option on your application.

3. What is the deadline for applying?

NYGC does not have deadlines for applying to study.  However, we recommend that you start the process as soon as possible in order to receive your admission letter, application form and I-20 so that you may pursue your student visa.

4. How do I make payments?

All payments to NYGC must be made in U.S. currency.  The following payment formats are acceptable:

• Personal check
• Money order
• Cashier’s check 
• Cash
• Credit card/Debit card 

5. How do I get a student visa?

NYGC is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. U.S. immigration laws state that you must enter the United States on a nonimmigrant student F-1 visa if you want to study in our ESL courses and TOEFL Prep Courses.

In order to obtain an F-1 student visa you must prepare all documents required to prove to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. consulate that you will study in the U.S. and then return to your home country after completing your studies. The documents you need include:

• An I-20 obtained form NYGC
• Proof of financial evidence.
• A valid passport.
• Evidence of ties to your country.
• A personal interview with a visa officer may be required.

If you are required to complete an interview we advise that you do it at least 60-120 days before your tentative start date of your studies.  You may attain more detailed information regarding any of the above matters from the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate websites which you may locate at http://usembassy.state.gov/.

6. How do I get an I-20?

You can indicate your need for an I-20 on your application for admission to study at NYGC.  We require proper documentation that proves you can support your financial responsibilities.  Specifically, you need to show evidence that you have enough funds available to pay for one session’s tuition, living expenses and other miscellaneous expenses.

7. What services are provided for students?

• Our small classes and nurturing school community offer students a supportive and stimulating environment in which to further their general education while expanding their skills in English.
• The English as a Secondary Language (ESL) teachers work closely with each student to develop a course of study based on the student’s abilities and academic goals.
Students receive assistance regarding I-20 forms and visas, if needed
• Students receive help in accessing local resources
• The ESL teachers assist students with the transition into the mainstream classrooms and American culture in general
• For students pursuing admission into an American university, advising is available as well as help with Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) preparation

1. When students are in need of personal, academic, and immigration consultative advising, they should contact school agents. Or, students may contact instructors for advising through their instructors’ office hours.
 
2. During the meeting, if students’ needs are beyond the capability of school agents or instructors, the school agents or the instructors make an advising request form completed with a possible schedule and the issue addressed and submit it to the school director or the academic director.
 
3. Once the submission is made, the school director or the academic director holds a meeting within 72 hours, and a meeting log is completed with narratives and placed in a binder.
 
4. In the event that the school director or the academic director feels that students’ needs exceed their capability, then the school director or the academic director refers students to qualified professionals in that field.
 
5. In the event that students are referred to the qualified professionals, NYGC administrators closely monitor and regularly meet with the students to make sure the students’ needs are met. All meeting logs are completed with narratives by administrators in charge and placed in the binder.

1. Prior to field trips, the instructor takes attendance at school.
2. The instructor makes sure all students sign a field trip waiver form and return it to the administrators for approval.
3. All students bring their cell phones with them.
4. The instructor makes sure the students have a school contact number, along with the instructor’s.
5. The Instructor clearly explains to students the route, address, and direction of the field trip before leaving the school.
6. The Instructor makes sure if there are any students who have food allergies or any health-related issues. If any, the instructor must report them to school and closely monitor these students during the field trip.
7. Students must not separate from the instructor or the group. In the event, they sperate from the group, the students call the instructor and the school immediately.
8. In an emergency situation, students must call 911 or the police office.
9. At the end of the field trip, the instructor must take attendance again to make sure all students safely return to the school or home.
10. At the end of the field trip, the instructor must inform the school that the field trip ends safely.

1. Testing and maintaining all fire prevention equipment and alarms
 
2. Helping inspect buildings for safety compliance. Enforcement of state and federal statutes
 
3. Enforcement of state traffic violations

8. What are the regulations on Immigration (F-1 Students' Policy)?

F-1 Students’ Policy

1. Students must pay all tuition and submit required admission documents prior to their commencement of class.
2. Students are required to attend class 18 hours a week to comply with full-time status.
3. If students cannot maintain full-time attendance due to medical reason, you must notify immediately to the school DSO and bring a medical letter from a doctor to request a leave of absence.
4. Students must notify the school DSO of your change of address or mailing address as well as legal name and financial sponsor within 10 days of the change.
5. Students must maintain an 80% attendance rate for each schedule for the duration of any 12.2-week period. Failure to do so will result in the loss of your F-1 student status.
6. Students must maintain normal academic progress. Students must repeat the course/level if they fail to meet satisfactory academic progress in a grade of D (70%) at the end of the course. Students cannot take the same course no more than twice including failing a course. At the end of the repeating course, if students fail to maintain a grade of D or higher, they are immediately terminated, and the information is notified to DSO to terminate the students’ record in SEVIS.
7. Students must notify the DSO of your intention to transfer-out to another SEVP certified school, you must bring the transfer form and admission letter from the other school which you intend to transfer to.
8. All Students should complete the Leave of Absence/Vacation Request Form before taking leave of absence or vacation in advance and check your attendance prior to course completion for your vacation eligibility.
9. Student must apply for your program extension 30 days before the I-20 expires.
10. Student should notify DSO of your plan to withdraw or complete. You should leave the country within 15 days of the last date of attendance if you did not complete the course or term of obligation. With completion of the course or term of obligation, you have a 60-day grace period to leave.
11. F-1 students are not allowed to work unless specifically authorized by USCIS.
12. Individualized academic, personal, and immigration counseling are provided to students all day long. School instructors, faculty, and staff are available to meet all of your personal, academic, and professional needs.
13. Medical treatment in NYC is expensive, so it is highly recommended that all international students purchase student health insurance for their stay in NYC. Lack of health insurance can cause serious consequences that affect your study in USA, which may result in loss of your F1 visa status.

9. What is the policy on Copyright?

• opyrighted material may be used in the classroom or for the teacher’s own academic research. The teacher may make no more than one copy for each member of his/her class, in addition to a copy for him/herself.
• Teachers may copy copyrighted materials for the class if (a) the copied material is used only for one course in the school; (b) during the class session, no more than one short poem, article, story, essay, or two excerpts are reproduced from the same author; and (c) during a single class session there should be no more than 9 (nine) instances of multiple copying for the course.
• If the copyrighted work exceeds 2,500 words, the teacher may not reproduce more than 1,000 words or 10% of the total work, whichever is less. If the teacher intends to use more than the 10%, the teacher should find out from his/her supervisor whether NYGC could purchase the material for classroom use.
• Copying shall not be used to create or to replace or substitute for anthologies, compilations or collective works.
• There shall be no copying of or from works intended to be "consumable" in the course of study or of teaching. These include workbooks, exercises, standardized tests and test booklets and answer sheets and like consumable material unless otherwise stated “Photocopiable.”
• Copying shall not substitute for the purchase of books, publishers’ reprints or periodicals.
• Copying is allowed of uncopyrighted published works that have entered public domain (any work published before January 1, 1978 without a copyright notice), works that have expired copyrights, or U.S. government publications.
• Videos may be shown in the classroom as long as it is part of the instruction, not solely as entertainment or recreation. Subject matter must relate to the instruction topic.
• Students may not be charged more than the actual cost of photocopying for any copyrighted materials provided by the instructor under this policy.

10. What is the policy on Privacy?

1. Students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
2. Students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
3. Generally, schools must have written permission from the student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
• School officials with legitimate educational interest;
• Other schools to which a student is transferring;
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
• Accrediting organizations;
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

11. What are the admission and refund policies and procedures?

Admission policies and procedures

[General Admission Requirement]

Applicants seeking admission to the school must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate the ability to benefit from the training. 

A completed NYGC application for admission signed by the student

A copy of government-issued ID (Identification Card)

[For Non-immigrant F1 Students]

Applicants must be at least 18 years of old and demonstrate the ability to benefit from the training.

Applicants must provide the following documentation prior to enrollment:

1. A completed NYGC application for admission signed by the student.
2. Proof of finances that are either in English or certified translations showing their bank account balance in U.S. currency.
3. $200 non-refundable SEVIS processing fee
4. $100 non-refundable registration fee
5. $100 non-refundable I-20 processing fee
6. Copies of the I-20 forms (transfer students only).
7. A valid passport.
8. A copy of visa.
9. I-94.
10. Transfer form (if transferring from another accredited school)

If the student is currently in legal status in the U.S. and wishes to change his or her status to F-1, (s) he should contact NYGC for information. Students changing status from B-1 and B-2 visas may not start their program of studies until their petition is approved by USCIS.

Refund policies and procedures

Cancellation:

1.       Rejection of Applicant: If an applicant is rejected for enrollment by NYGC, or if a prospective student has his/her visa application rejected, a full refund of all monies paid will be made to the applicant, less non-refundable charges. Non-refundable charges are described in the General Notes section below.

2.       Course Cancellation: If NYGC cancels a course subsequent to a student’s enrollment, the NYGC will refund all monies paid by the student.

3.       Cancellation Prior to the Start of Course or No Show: If an applicant accepted by NYGC cancels prior to the start of a scheduled course or never attends (no show), NYGC will refund all monies paid, less non-refundable charges.

4.       If a student never attends (no show) or cancels the enrollment prior to the start of a scheduled course, all refunds due will be made within forty-five (45) calendar days of the first scheduled day of course or the date of cancellation, whichever is earlier.

Withdrawal or Termination after Start of a Course:

1.       If a student withdraws or is terminated from the institution after the start of class, the student will be liable for the tuition based on the last date of attendance according to refund policy.

2.       The refund due will be calculated using the last date of attendance (LDA) and be paid within forty-five (45) calendar days from the documented date of determination. The date of determination is the date the student gives written notice of withdrawal to the institution or the date the institution terminates the student due to the student’s failure to adhere to the institution’s attendance, conduct, or student progress policy.

3.       When determining the number of weeks completed by the student, NYGC considers a partial week the same as if a whole week were completed, provided the student was present at least one day during the scheduled week.

4.       For students whose last date of attendance occurs at first, second, third, fourth, fifth week or sixth week of the program, NYGC will retain the tuition amount as per the refund policy.

5.       Non-refundable charges include the actual cost for the shipping/courier fee, registration fee ($100 for 12.2 week programs), and I-20 processing fee ($100).

General Requirements:

1.       Students that have received an I-20 from NYGC must enroll for a minimum of twelve weeks.

2.       NYGC requests students provide a written notification of withdrawal. In the event that no notice of withdrawal is provided, NYGC will automatically administratively withdraw a student after he or she has been absent for a maximum of 30 consecutive calendar days (excluding scheduled breaks) and complete a refund calculation, processing refunds to or on behalf of the student.

3.       NYGC does not bill for a period in excess of twelve (12) months.

4.       NYGC does not deny refunds to or on behalf of students who are terminated due to violations of NYGC’s disciplinary and/or attendance policies or local, state, or federal law.

5.       NYGC follows all applicable state and federal regulations, including those related to student refunds.

6.       NYGC has internal school agents that recruit students and retains the contract with the students.

Student Weekly Tuition Liability Table for 12.2 Weeks Courses:

For students who withdraw or are terminated at any point in the first six weeks, NYGC will retain the tuition applicable as outlined in the tables below:

For ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, American Culture, Business English, Advanced Socializing in English, English Grammar in Use, Public Speaking for International Students, Socializing in English, Accent Reduction, Advanced Writing Skills, Connecting in English and Introduction to Writing programs:

For iBT TOEFL Prep Course:

For GRE Prep- Writing and Vocabulary Course:

12. What is a placement instrument?

New York General Consulting uses the Cambridge English Unlimited Placement Test which includes written and oral sections for placement. It follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). NYGC has developed its placement test cut score, which is aligned with CEFR standards and continuously monitored its effectiveness.

Written Section
The written section consists of 120 multiple choice questions.  The student will be given a provisional placement based on their score, which correlates with one of our five academic levels.

Oral Section

Placement Procedures and Appeal

Students are administered the Cambridge English Unlimited Placement exam. Upon receipt of their scores, students meet with a representative of the school, and discuss their course options. Students register for their course. Once in the course, teachers assess students, in an informal manner, to ensure placement. In the rare cases that a teacher feels a student may have been misplaced, he or she will bring it to the attention of the Academic Director, and the Academic Director or designee will meet with the student and determine best placement. Additionally, if a student feels he or she is misplaced, they are to appeal via their instructor. Once again, if deemed appropriate the instructor will then meet with the Academic Director.

Placement Appeal Procedures

Students who feel that they are not initially placed correctly, follow these steps.

1.       Students must contact their instructor during the first week of the course, and provide a written request for appeal.

2.       If the instructor agrees, the instructor contacts the Academic Director within 72 hours.

3.       The Academic Director reviews initial placement exam, as well as any work to date.

4.       The Academic Director, faculty member and student discuss the best course based on student’s demonstrated skills and abilities and made a decision within 72 hours from reviewing the documents. Any decision resulting from this interview is final.

13. What is an appeal to a grade, withdrawal, or termination?

Appeals: 

The following policy sets forth procedures through which a student may appeal a determination of a grade, withdrawal, and termination: 

1.    Students must provide a written request for appeal;

2.    The request must include substantiating documentation including a definitive statement as to why the student failed to meet SAP standards and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow them to meet SAP standards at the end of the next evaluation;

1.         The appeal must be filed within five (5) business days of the termination/withdrawal notice;

4.    The School Director and/or Academic Director will review the appeal and notify the student of their decision within five (5) business days following receipt of the appeal documentation;

1.          If a student is not satisfied, they can request an interview with the School Director, and the Academic Director within three (3) business days.  Any decision resulting from this interview is final.

2.          If a student is dismissed, NYGC will notify SEVIS of the withdrawal and update their status in the SEVP system.

14. What is a student's complaint?

It is inevitable that students will sometimes disagree with faculty decisions regarding grades, instructional techniques, advising, course content and classroom experiences. When students submit a complaint form to the administrators, the school considers it as formal complaint. Students with concerns regarding any of the aforementioned are provided with the following grievance process:

Grievances Regarding Grading:

Each course syllabus must clearly delineate the grading process in a course. The weight given to each assignment should be reflected and adhered to consistently in the class. Students should receive clear instructions regarding the requirements for successful completion of the course, i.e., on what basis would a student not receives a passing grade.

If a student receives a grade that he or she believes does not reflect his or her performance in a class, he or she has the right to meet with the instructor to discuss the grading process. The student should be prepared to present evidence of work completed in the class. If, after meeting with the faculty member, the student reasonably believes that he or she has still been graded unfairly, he/she should meet with the Academic Director to discuss his or her grievance.

The Academic Director should consult with the faculty member to determine if there is sufficient evidence (grades on all assessment materials, copies of all written assessment materials, etc.) to substantiate the grade received by the student. Once the Academic Director consults with the faculty member she/he should make a decision to either uphold the decision of the faculty member or to ask the faculty member to reevaluate the student's grade on the basis of the review.

The decision of the Academic Director will be final. The Academic Director will issue a written response of disposition to the student and faculty member.

Grievances regarding grading should be filed within one week of the students’ receipt of a final course grade.

Grievances Regarding Course Requirements:

Course syllabi should reflect all course requirements. Course requirements must be directly related to the course objectives and student learning outcomes of the approved curricula. Students must not be required to complete any requirement that could prove injurious to their physical or mental health. Any student who believes that he or she is being required to complete and/or adhere to unreasonable requirements should voice his or her concern to his or her instructor.

If, after meeting with a faculty member, the student maintains that the course requirements are inappropriate with respect to the course objectives and student learning outcomes, the student should voice his concern to the Academic Director.

The Academic Director must meet with the student and the faculty member to discuss the student’s grievance. The Academic Director should give due consideration to the student's grievance and speak with other students in the class, if necessary, to determine the validity of the claim. If the Academic Director he or she should begin an official process of curricular revision under the guidelines of the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision.

Grievances Regarding Classroom Atmosphere:

The classroom should reflect an environment where teaching and learning occur in a cooperative fashion between students and the instructor. Use of profanity or sexist or racist characterizations, or sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior, including talking during presentations and lectures will not be tolerated. Faculty members are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner throughout the class period.

If a student believes that the classroom atmosphere is inappropriate or improper as defined herein, he or she should share his or her concerns with the faculty member. If the faculty member does not address the student's complaint in what he or she considers a satisfactory manner, the student should submit a written grievance report to the Academic Director.

The Academic Director should give due consideration to the student's grievance and speak with the faculty member and other students in the class, if necessary, to determine the validity of the grievance. On the basis of the investigation, the Academic Director will render a decision. The Academic Director will issue a written response of disposition to the student, the faculty member and the department director.

Grievances regarding inappropriate classroom conduct should be filed before the end of the session in which the alleged inappropriate behavior occurs.

Other Grievances:

If a student has grievances regarding administration and/or other matters, the student should bring his or her concerns to the School Director in writing. The Director will take the appropriate action to resolve the complaint. The Director will substantiate any appropriate documentation, make a final decision, and notify the student in writing within two weeks.

If students are not satisfied with the Director’s action, students can write to:

New York State Education Department

The Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision

116 W. 32 Street 5^th Floor，New York, NY 10001