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Can a Minor child use an F1 visa to attend public school?

Can a Minor child use an F1 visa to attend public school?

In the USA students are required to get compulsory education from kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12). An international minor student with an F1 or M1 visa can get compulsory education in the USA. However, they need to know some crucial information regarding the US public and private schooling system before applying. Because, US Education has a different system K-12 grade for private and public schools.

Understand the difference Between Public and Private Schools:

Public schools use local, state and federal tax revenue funds. As an F1 or M1 student, one can only enrol from 9th-12th grade in public school with a maximum time of 12 months and can’t apply for k-8th grade. This time limit includes all the public schools the student attends. Regardless a student attends one or several other public schools, the cumulative maximum time limit to attend a public school will be 12 months maximum. However, the student can transfer to an SEVP-certified private school to continue toward a diploma.

Students must pay the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of attending to the school district before applying for the visa. He must be able to present proof of this payment at the visa interview and at the port of entry when applying for admission into the United States.

Private schools use tuition dollars generated from admitted students. International students may apply for F1 or M1 status to attend a private SEVP-certified school for grades K-12. Unlike public schools, regulations place no limit on the length of time an F-1 student may attend a private, SEVP-certified school.

Apply to an SEVP-Certified School

F1 or M1 students can apply to schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Certain types of schools are certified by SEVP:

Private school (from K-12th grade)

Public school (9th-12th grade)

Kindergarten to eighth grades can’t be certified by SEVP for that reason F1 or M1 students are not allowed in elementary to secondary school which is till 8th grade.

Special notes for minor children of F-1 and M-1 students

A minor F-2 or M-2 dependent of an F-1 or M-1 student does not need any permission or documentation from SEVP to study in the public school and can attend public K-12 school at the appropriate grade level.

State education laws may require that F-2 and M-2 students attend the appropriate grade level until a certain age.

For a minor F-2 or M-2 dependent to transfer from a public school to a private school, the F-1 or M-1 student and/or F-2 spouse, if applicable, should talk to the school’s DSO.

After students are admitted into SEVP-certified schools they will receive a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” from their designated school official (DSO). DSOs work at SEVP-certified schools and are there to help them understand and follow the rules for studying in the United States.

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