Yoga Vocational School
Hotyoga USA Academy is a premier vocational school providing you with the education and training for your successful career as a Yoga Teacher and Yoga School owner. Yoga is one of the strongest businesses in the Health and Fitness industry. We are excited about your interest in yoga as your profession. The outlook for your success is great. About three quarters of fitness studios in the US offer yoga classes. In the US alone, more than 30 million people take yoga classes every week. More than 35% of yoga students have a household income of more than USD 85,000.
You can be part of this 30 billion dollar industry that includes service offerings and products, such as apparel and accessories. Within only 4 months Hotyoga USA Academy can enable you to start working as a qualified yoga-instructor, certified by the Yoga Alliance.
You can register here, or if you want to get more information first you can check out our Course Information & Schedule section.
Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.
Namaste,
Bentley Storm
| Sample Schedule (Spring Semester 2009) |
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General InformationWhat is an I-20?
An I-20 is a “Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status for Academic and Language Students.” I-20 forms are issued by “Designated School Officials,” who are usually your International Student Coordinators. The completed form verifies that an international student has been admitted to a vocational program for full-time enrollment and has shown evidence of financial support. The form is used by international students to request student visas (M-1) and student immigration status. What is M-1 Immigration Status?
M-1 immigration status allows an individual to be enrolled in a vocational school or certificate program in the United States. (For additional information on immigration status, or to make an appointment, if required, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply for a visa.) I-20 additional informationEvidence of financial support
To obtain an I-20 form an M-1 prospective student must submit evidence of financial support adequate to permit the student to study full time without working. Note: The estimated annual educational cost including both living and school expenses is USD $24,600, or USD 8,200 per Hotyoga USAAcademy program period.
§ The student should submit an original letter from the student’s bank (personal saving or checking accounts ONLY) that indicates the current available balance in United States dollars.
§ Affidevit (1 or 2)
1. If your sponsor is a United States citizen or resident, he or she must complete USCIS form I-134 and submit it to HotyogaUSA Academy.
2. If your sponsor is not a United States resident, he or she must complete the Affidavit of Financial Support form and submit it to Hotyoga USA Academy.
§ Sponsor Responsibility Document
The Affidavit must be accompanied by documents showing that the sponsor is financially capable of fulfilling the commitment. The documents most used as evidence of a sponsor’s financial resources are:
Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institution in which the sponsor has deposits giving the following details regarding the account.
§ Date account opened.
§ Total amount deposited for the past year or average balance.
§ Present balance.
§ Date and nature of employment.
§ Salary paid.
§ Whether position is temporary or permanent.
Or § Income taxes showing individual persons income on which tax was calculated.
§ Copy of last income tax return filed
Or § Report of commercial rating concern.
*Note:*
Financial resources shown must be personal funds and readily available. Evidence of funds held in retirement or business accounts may not be used. Company funds may be shown only if the company itself is the actual sponsor. The financial documents must be no older than six months at the time the I-20 is signed. Additional documentation may be required. English Language Proficiency
English is the language of administration and instruction at Hotyoga USA Academy, and students must show mastery of English in all courses and programs. To prove mastery in English, you must show evidence of one of the following: § TOEFL 575 or higher (paper and pencil test)
§ TOEFL 231 or higher (computer-based test)
§ TOEFL 91 or higher (internet-based test)
§ SAT 550 or higher on the verbal section
Students who have passed high school-level English with a C or better from an accredited educational institution.
Estimated Annual College Costs
The following is a statement of estimated expenses for non-resident students who enroll at Hotyoga USA Academy for a period of one vocational program. Students requesting M-1 immigration status are required to show personal funds or sponsorship adequate to permit full-time study without working off-campus. The estimate includes living costs based on a 4-months program. The following is the approximate costs determined by the Hotyoga USA Academy to be typical expenses for 4 months (including minimum full-time enrollment for the period): Tuition and fees 3,200 Living Expenses 5,000 TOTAL: 8,200 *Note*
Students accompanied by dependent family members must provide an additional $1,600 for their spouse and $1,000 for each child. M-1 students generally are INELIGIBLE for U.S. federal, state, and local government financial assistance. Samples of High School Diplomas and Secondary School
The following is a partial listing of national secondary school credentials. Official high school diplomas – secondary school certificates of completion MUST BE presented in the native language with a certified English translation. LATIN AMERICA
Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, or Venezuela Bachillerato Brazil Diploma de 2 grau Chile Licencia de Education Media Peru Certificado de Education Secundaria CARIBBEAN, BELIZE, GUYANA
Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica,or Trinidad & Tobago CXC or GCSE “O” level-5 academic subjects. Haiti Baccalaureat Partie II |
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EUROPE
France Baccalaureat Germany Abitur Greece Apolytirion from Lyceum Italy, Switzerland, or Sweden Maturity Certificate/Diploma Netherlands VWO or HAVO Norway Leaving Certificate from Upper Secondary School Spain COU United Kingdom GCSE “O” level-5 academic subjects Newly Independent States Atestat |
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MIDDLE EAST
Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, or Saudi Arabia General Secondary Certificate of Education Iraq, Lebanon, or Morocco Baccalaureat Israel Bagrut U.A.E Secondary School Certificate |
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AFRICA
Cameroon Baccalaureat/GSSCE “O” level 5 academic subjects Ethiopia School Leaving Certificate Nigeria or Ghana GCSE “O” level-5 academic subjects/ WAEC / SSSC South Africa Senior Certificate with Matriculation |
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ASIA
Hong Kong HKCE – 5 academic subject India or Pakistan Higher Secondary School Certificate Indonesia Idazah S.M.A. Diploma Japan, Korea, or Taiwan High School Graduation Malaysia Certificate of Education – 5 academic subjects Singapore GCSE “O” level-5 academic subjects Thailand Matayom Suksa VI |
Getting PreparedHow to Request an I-20:
Complete the following materials and submit them to Hotyoga USA:
§ Apply to Hotyoga USA and pay a $25 (check, money order, or credit card) non-refundable application fee.
§ Complete and submit a Supplemental Information for I-20 Request form.
§ Provide proof of High School graduation.
All documents must be in English. If translated, submit the original or certified copy of the native language version together with a certified English translation. Submit one of the following:
§ High school diploma or Secondary School Credentials
§ U.S. GED certificate
Provide evidence of English Language Proficiency with one of the following:
Students who have passed high school-level English with a C or better from an accredited educational institution.
For information on how to take the TOEFL, please visit http://www.toefl.org. § Provide evidence of financial support.
§ Mail all above documentation for review to:
§ Hotyoga USA, Academy
4000 Albemarle St, NW Suite 100 Washington, D.C. 20016 USA |
Q & A |
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Who needs an I-20?
New students – Any non-citizen who wishes to obtain an M-1 (international student) visa or to change an existing immigration status to M-1 must first obtain an I-20 to verify your admission to a qualified school. Most I-20s are requested by students who are outside the U.S. and plan to apply for a student visa. A significant number of I-20s are also requested by individuals already in the U.S. on other kinds of temporary visas – exchange participant, diplomat, employee of an international organization, among others. Generally, applicants with tourist visa may not change to student status while remaining in the U.S. Transfer students – Students who already have F-1 or M-1 with an I-20 from another school must obtain a new I-20 from Hotyoga USA Academy. Each I-20 is valid only for the school named on the form.
What is an I-94?
Your I-94 is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to indicate the conditions that apply to your stay in the United States. An I-94 issued at a port of entry is usually a white card stapled inside your passport. If you change status within the U.S. your I-94 will be printed on a sheet of paper mailed to you. In all cases the I-94 will indicate your immigration status, “M-1″ and either show a fixed expiration date for the status or the letters “D/S.” What is “duration of status” or D/S?
For most students M-1 status continues as long as the holder is a full time student with a valid I-20 and does not violate a condition of the status. At the port of entry the immigration officer will mark your I-20 and I-94 with the notation D/S, indication duration of status. What is the difference between a visa and immigration status?
A visa is a document or stamp in your passport issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad that permits you to arrive at a port of entry to the U.S. It is your permission to arrive only. Immigration status indicates the specific category of regulations that will apply to you during your stay in the U.S. Visas are issued by American embassies and consulates abroad; immigration status is conferred in the U.S. by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. What is the meaning of the term “in-status?”
The term simply means that you are complying with the conditions for maintaining your M-1 status as stated on your I-20. Is there more than one kind of I-20 for M-1 status?
Yes. I-20s are designated for specific purposes, including the following: § Initial attendance: I-20 for students applying for an M-1 visa for the first time.
§ Transfer: I-20 for students transferring with M-1 status to Hotyoga USA Academy.
§ Change of status: I-20 to request change from current immigration status to M-1 without leaving the U.S.
§ Reinstatement: I-20 to request reinstatement to M-1 status by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) without leaving the U.S.
§ Add dependent(s): I20 to request M-1 visa or status for dependent spouse or minor children.
What documents should I bring when I travel outside the U.S.?
To re-enter the United States after a trip abroad, students will need a valid passport with a valid visa and a valid I-20, endorsed on the back byHotyoga USA Academy. The signature verifies that the student is in status and is expected to return to the United States to continue study at the school issuing the I-20. Students who have applied for Optional Practical Training should reconsider traveling outside the U.S. while the application is pending. What if I want to travel abroad, but my visa has expired, or I only have a tourist visa because I changed status in the U.S.?
You must apply for a new visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, preferably in your home country. You need to plan in advance. Check the website of the Department of State, http://www.state.gov, for information. In many countries you will need an appointment several days, or even weeks, in advance. Check very carefully before planning to request a visa in a third country. What happens if my passport or visa expires while I am in the U.S.?
Renew your passport before it expires. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations require that student visa holder maintain a valid passport at all times. On the other hand, an expired visa is not a problem as long as you remain in the U.S. However, you will need a new visa to return to the U.S. after a visit to any countries beyond Canada, Mexico, or the nearby Caribbean Islands. Most students are permitted to travel to these adjacent countries and return with a valid I-20, even though the visa has expired visa. What happens if I fall out of status”?
Students who are out of status forfeit all privileges of the status, such as on-campus work, practical training, or the right to reenter the U.S. with a signed I-20 form. To regain your status you will need to obtain a new I-20 prior to travel abroad or apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for reinstatement. Application for reinstatement by the USCIS requires that the student pay a filing fee. If the reinstatement application is denied, the student will be advised to leave the United States until able to reenter with an appropriate status. |
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What if I am having difficulty that may cause me to lose status?
See Hotyoga USA Academy immediately. In many cases the loss of status can be avoided by timely action. However, once a student has lost status it can only be regained through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), either by application for reinstatement or by reentry to the U.S. with M-1 status. |
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How much will it cost to study full time at Hotyoga USA Academy?
The following is the approximate costs determined by the Hotyoga USA Academy to be typical expenses for 4 months (including minimum full-time enrollment for the period): Tuition and fees 3,200 Living Expenses 5,000 TOTAL: 8,200 Note: Students accompanied by dependent family members must provide an additional $1,600 for their spouse and $1,000 for each child. |
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What if I cannot complete my program by the expiration date of my I-20?
Students who are unable to complete their program by the date indicated on the I-20 must have a compelling medical reason to apply for an extension of stay. A request for an extension must be discussed with Hotyoga USA Academy at least 60 days before the expiration date on the I-20. |
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Can I apply for financial aid?
Students with M-1 status do not qualify for federal financial aid. However, limited financial aid might be available for some students through HotyogaUSA Academy. For further information see Hotyoga USA Academy. |
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Can I work at Hotyoga USA during my program?
Yes. M-1 students may be allowed to work at Hotyoga USA, up to 20 hours/week. Please see Hotyoga USA Academy for further details. |
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Can I work off campus?
Off campus employment for M-1 students is restricted to the following categories: hardship, curricular practical training, and optional practical training. Each category must comply with a distinct set of regulations. See Hotyoga USA Academy for detailed information. Be extremely careful about working without permission. Some students have received immediate departure orders from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for unauthorized work. Furthermore, reinstatement by USCIS is generally impossible if you have been discovered to be working without authorization. |
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If I work on campus or off campus do I pay taxes?
Yes. If you work only part- time most of the taxes will be returned to you when you file an annual tax return. Also, note that M-1 students generally are not required to pay for Social Security benefits. All M-1 students with any earned income in the United States are required to file a federal income tax return each year. |
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How do I obtain a Social Security Number (SSN)?
You are required to have a job offer from Hotyoga USA Academy to be eligible for a Social Security number. We will provide you with a letter to the Social Security Administration verifying your status as a currently enrolled M-1 student once you have been offered an on campus position. |
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How do I report a change of address?
Contact Hotyoga USA Academy to change your record. Report the change as soon as possible. |
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Does Hotyoga USA Academy charge a fee for processing the I-20?
No, however, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges a “SEVIS fee” that must be paid prior to requesting a student visa or prior to arriving at the port of entry if an M-1 visa is not required. M-1 visa holders who remain outside the U.S. for five months must also pay the SEVIS fee. Details: http://www.fmjfee.com |
