Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment/Application Questions
Q. I want to bring my family with me to the ELI while I study. How can I do this?
A. Students on an F-1 visa may bring their dependents (spouses and children) to the US while they study at the ELI. Simply attach a sheet of paper to your application form which includes your dependents' full names, genders, countries of birth, counties of citizenship, and dates of birth. Normally, students need to prove access to $4,200 per session they will attend the ELI, in order to obtain the I-20 form for student visa. If you wish to bring your spouse and/or children with you, your bank statement will need to have a minimum balance of $4,200 plus $500 per dependent, per session.

Q. My company is sponsoring me to study at the ELI. Do I need the company's bank statement?
A. No. For corporate sponsorships, instead of a company bank statement, your sponsor must send letter of support, on company letterhead and signed by a financial officer, indicating that the company will financially sponsor you to study at the ELI.

Q. How long does it take to get an I-20?
A. Once we receive your completed application, bank statement and/or letter of support, and deposit and application fees, we will process your enrollment and express mail your I-20 to you. (For fastest processing, we strongly recommend that you use credit card to pay your deposit and application fees.) It usually takes 48 hours from the time your application is approved until the I-20 form is express mailed to you.

Q. What is the deadline for applying?
A. Although there is no deadline for applying to the ELI, we STRONGLY recommend that you apply at least three months in advance of your session start date, to ensure plenty of time to obtain your student visa.

Q. When does the ELI change its pricing?
A. Normally, a modest 3-4% increase can be expected each year. Pricing becomes effective August 31 of each year.

Q. What is a 'semester discount'?
A. The ELI now offers semester pricing, which is a tuition discount given to those students who enroll in and pay for two sessions at a time. Please see our application form for the cost breakdown.

Placement Testing
Q. What is the placement test?
A. The placement test has four parts: grammar, reading, and vocabulary proficiency; listening; an interview; and an essay. The ELI uses these tests to determine which level you will be assigned. You will not receive the scores from these tests, but your level will reflect your score.

Q. When do I find out my level?
A. All ELI students will receive their schedules, which list classes and levels, at the opening day meeting. The ELI staff makes the class assignments during the weekend before the session begins; therefore, your class and level assignments are not available before opening day.

Meal Plans
Q. How can I sign up for a meal plan?
A. Meal plans are not required for students living in our dormitory apartments. However, meal plans are available in blocks of 100 meals or 50 meals. You can pick up a meal plan registration form at the ELI or at the Student Services Building.

Homestay Families
Q. How can I contact the Homestay Coordinator?
A. Mrs. Nancy Purcell, the Homestay Coordinator, can be reached at:

Q. When can I meet my homestay family?
A.The ELI Homestay Coordinator, Nancy Purcell, makes all of the homestay arrangements for our students. She will contact you to confirm your homestay and arrival arrangements. If you want to complete a homestay application, contact the ELI staff.

Q. Can I get a homestay close to the ELI building?
A. Less than half of the homestays available are within walking distance of the ELI. These are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Q. Can I cook my own meals?
A. Yes, you can stay in a homestay that does not provide meals, but you can use their kitchen to prepare your own food.

Q. Do I have to spend time with the family?
A.Your first priority at the ELI is to improve your English. The homestays understand that you need to do your homework and study. It is your decision how much time you spend with the family.

Q. What kinds of families are there?
A. Many are married couples with children, some are married couples whose children are grown and live away from home, and others and single men and women. There is a variety of homestays to choose from.

Q. Can I smoke in my homestay?
A. Most of the homestays are "smoke-free". Their rules say that if you smoke, you must smoke outside the home.

Dorm Check-in
Q. I have received my dormitory confirmation. When can I move in?
A. Usually students move in the weekend before the start of the session. Please see your dormitory confirmation for the exact move-in date.

Orientation Meetings
Q. What will we do at the orientation meetings?
A. At the first orientation meeting, on Monday, you will meet the ELI director and learn about some ELI & university policies. The second meeting, on Friday, will cover adjusting to life in a new culture, campus safety and other topics. You will meet the host family coordinator and representatives from other UD departments. Please plan to attend both meetings.

Host Families and Language Partners
Q. How can I meet Americans?
A.Two good ways for you to meet people and practice your English are ELI's host family and language partner programs. These programs introduce ELI students to UD students and local families and let you spend some time learning about American culture. You can learn more about these programs at the orientation meetings.

Bank Accounts
Q. Where can I open a bank account?
A. Most ELI students use the Wilmington Savings Fund Society (WSFS) bank, which has an office on campus in the Trabant University Center. The bank's office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Mail and E-mail
Q. What's my address?
A. All students can use the ELI address to receive mail.

Q. Will I be able to use email?
A. All ELI students have access to full university facilities, including computing centers where you can use email and the internet.

ELI Refund Policy
Q. What is the ELI refund policy?
A. The ELI refund policy, which is stated on all of our application forms, is:

• The application fee of $100, due with your application for enrollment, is nonrefundable.
• The tuition deposit of $75, due with your application for enrollment, is nonrefundable within 30 days of session start date.
• The dormitory deposit of $250, due with your dormitory application, is nonrefundable within 30 days of session start date.
• The ELI offers no refund for late arrival, early withdrawal, or dismissal.

Search| Home| Who we are| Program Summary| Programs| Academic Calendar | Costs| Frequent Questions| Contact Us| How to Apply| Housing information| Student handbook| Photos| Virtual tour| Student writing| Alumni| ELI news| What's happening| Grammar hotline| U of Delaware home| College of Human Services, Education, and Public Policy Home