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MTEC Process for Issuing an I-20

The Montessori Teacher Education Center (MTEC) can issue I-20's for those of you who require one. (An I-20 is the INS authorized form that grants foreign students legal status in the US). We issue I-20's only for students enrolled in the Montessori teacher credential program, not individual course modules.

When you send us your Application for Admissions, enclose a letter requesting an I-20. There is a $175 fee for the I-20 in addition to the $100 application fee to the academic program. A $300 processing fee is also required in order for us to prepare and proceed with your I-20. Please note that additional correspondence is billed at a rate of $95 per hour. This includes communication between MTEC-SFBA and you, your attorney, prospective practicum site, or transfer school. In order to keep billable time to a minimum, we suggest that you direct communication via e-mail.

Include the following information in the letter you attach to your application:

  • Permanent address in home country

  • Proposed address, if any, in the US

  • Country of citizenship

  • Place of birth

  • Date you intend to start the MTEC credential program

  • The credential level you seek (i.e.- early childhood, infant-toddler, elementary)

  • Verification of financial means to support yourself for the academic term of twelve months. This may come from a personal bank account statement from you or a relative who formally agrees to support you financially. The funding may come from several different sources but must total $17,000, or $9000 if you have someone who will vouch to supporting your housing needs.

  • If you are a transfer student, we will need a copy of your current I-20 as well your current school information. Transfer students are also required to pay the $300 processing fee.

If all of the information required is NOT submitted (all at once-no pieces, please), we will not process your I-20 request. Additional time spent assembling material not provided in the primary submission will be billed at our hourly rate.

If all of the information is provided, and you are admitted to the MTEC-SFBA credential program, then MTEC-SFBA will send you a signed I-20 that you may take to the United States Embassy in your country in order to be given an F-1 student visa.

Please note that, beginning on October 27, 2008, you will also need to pay the new SEVIS I-901 Fee (go to http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm).

After you have attended your first class, you will need to send us an e-mail letting us know that you have begun the Certification program. Your attendance will be verified and then you are formally "Activated" as an I-20 Student with MTEC.

If you need to contact us, e-mail info@montessorird.com. If you do need to contact us by phone, you will be billed at the hourly rate.

We look forward to seeing you!

Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization is available to F-1 students who would like to take part in off-campus internships relating to their degree programs. The internship must either be required by the student's degree program or the student must receive course credit for the internship. The internship may be either full time (over 20 hrs per week) or part time (20 hrs per week or less). Please note that an internship is defined as supervised employment of limited duration, with education and experience being its primary function. Full-time, continuous, benefits-eligible employment is not appropriate for an internship.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • The student must be in good academic standing, must be enrolled in an MTEC AMS Certificate program, and must currently be in F-1 status.

  • A student who has been authorized for a total of 12 months of full time Curricular Practical Training is not eligible for Optional Practical Training for the current degree program.

  • The CPT internship is the Practicum phase of the AMS Certificate program. It is a requirement for the completion of the MTEC course. In sum, the "job" is an integral part of the student's program of study.

  • Full-time CPT requires at least part-time enrollment at UTA, since the student must receive course credit for the internship.

 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

  • A student enrolled in a one-year certificate course may have only one semester of CPT internship.

  • A student must complete CPT prior to the expected completion date on the I-20. An I-20 can not be extended for the sole purpose of CPT.

  • The MTEC Office will authorize curricular practical training for a specific employer and for a specific period of time. Employment may not begin before the first day of classes and may not end any later than the last day of classes.

  • In order for the MTEC Office to authorize CPT, the student must obtain two documents: 1) an offer letter from the employer that includes a description of the position as an internship, lists the duties, and the beginning and ending dates of the employment, and 2) a letter recommending the employment from a staff or faculty member of MTEC who will evaluate the student's performance in the internship.

PROCEDURE:

  • Choose a school that qualifies for Practicum credit. (Please refer to the requirements of a Montessori site listed in the Student Handbook).

  • Take this document, if necessary, describing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to your employer, preferably when you go for your initial interview.

  • Request a letter of offer from the employer, on letterhead stationery, that describes the job duties, indicates the start date of employment and verifies that the position is not a continuous, full-benefit job.

  • Send the documents listed above, as well as your I-20 and a cover letter requesting CPT to the MTEC Office:

    • MTEC103
      Callan Ave.
      San Leandro, CA 94577

  • There is a $175 charge in order to issue students a CPT.

  • If the MTEC Office determines that you are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and you have paid your fee, the authorization will be written on your I-20 and mailed back to you.