International Students
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The Ailey School has hosted students from more than 65 countries and six continents worldwide. Our student body matches the diversity of New York City, home to residents of upwards of 200 nationalities with more than 800 languages spoken. The School aims to foster the exchange of intellectual, artistic, and cultural ideas among its student body and faculty by promoting an attitude of inclusiveness, non-discrimination, and respect for individuality.
How to Apply
The Ailey School is authorized under federal law to issue an I-20 form* to prospective students who qualify. Students must first apply, audition, and be accepted into their chosen program at The Ailey School. Once they have met the criteria for issuance of the I-20 form, they may then apply for an F-1 student visa for full-time study in the US. Follow the steps on this page to ensure your application is complete.
*I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Non-Immigrant Student Status.
Auditions
International students may audition in person, or if they do not live near an audition location, they may submit a video. It is imperative that international students know of their acceptance status as early as possible so that they may begin preparing for their move to New York City (securing housing, obtaining their student visa, making travel arrangements, etc.). Therefore, we strongly advise that international students submit their video audition by April 1. The final deadline to submit a video is May 1. However, the Admissions Office will prioritize applicants who have auditioned early.
Video Audition Deadline: April 1, 2025
After Acceptance
Once a prospective student has been accepted into one of the full-time programs, they must submit the items listed below to qualify for an I-20. Applicants to the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program must contact the Fordham University International Student Advisor for instructions on obtaining an I-20.
The process of obtaining an F-1 visa can take up to 3 months, so students should submit documents as early as possible, and may even submit visa materials prior to being accepted. This enables the Admissions Office to have everything necessary to issue the I-20 form as soon as the student has been officially accepted. Students who submit their documentation by the deadline will be prioritized. Students who do not meet the deadline will be handled in order of receipt of their materials and may experience a delay in obtaining their I-20. Students may upload their financial documentation to this secure link.
Deadline: May 1, 2025
Please be certain to name all of your files with your first and last name. Incorrectly named files will delay processing.
- $50 international student fee
- Copy of the identification page of applicant's passport
- One passport-sized photograph in JPEG format
- Declaration of Finances form
- Financial documentation demonstrating the applicant's ability to cover the costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses for the first year of study
All financial documentation must be in English and must indicate the US dollar equivalent of whatever type of currency is reflected in the documentation. Statements that are not in English will not be accepted.
FAQs
All students who submit a video audition will be considered for the Scholarship Program, Certificate Program, and Independent Study Program. However, if possible, we recommend that students interested in earning a scholarship attend an audition in person.
Subject to the availability of The Ailey School co-directors, the School may sometimes hold auditions in Canada and Europe. Please email [email protected] to inquire about the audition schedule.
No, it is not possible to attend The Ailey School part-time. It is mandatory for all international students on an F-1 visa to attend school on a full-time basis.
Unfortunately, The Ailey School does not offer need-based financial assistance to international students who wish to defray the cost of attendance. Additionally, US Federal Financial Aid is only available to US Citizens and Permanent Resident Aliens (Green Card holders). International Students may audition for the Scholarship Program if they wish to obtain merit-based financial assistance.
No, we do not schedule private or in-class auditions. Students who do not live near an audition site may submit a video audition.
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