1. F-1 Program students are required to demonstrate their ability to financially support their stay and studies in the United States. Therefore, students are expected to meet school-related financial obligations such as tuition payments and book fees in a timely manner.


2. The Designated School Official (DSO) must be notified of any changes in current address and/or telephone number within 10 days of the change.


3. Students are expected to study full-time (at least 18 hours per week) to maintain their F-1 status. Please not that our Standard Intensive English Program (SIEP) offers 18 hours of classroom instruction per week. The student is required to maintain a minimum of 70% attendance in their program.


4. Students are expected to contact their DSO if they are unable to pursue full-time studies due to a temporary medical illness. Request for “Medical Leave of Absence” must be submitted to the DSO before (a diagnosed illness) or after (an emergency or unpredictable illness), in writing with the accompanying recommendation letter from your medical doctor explaining the nature of the illness and the period of time recommended for bed rest. The DSO will review your request and will inform you whether or not your request can be approved or a need to scale to USCIS for specific review.


5. Excessive, unexcused absences will lead to disciplinary action and/or up to termination. Consequently, the student is considered to be in violation of his/her status.


6. A student who completes at least 26 weeks of full-time study and maintain at least a 70% attendance record in all classes to be eligible for seven (7 weeks) Annual Vacation.
• Students eligible for vacation must obtain a written permission from the Designated School Official (DSO).
• Apply 2 weeks in advance for vacation. That means that the student must fill out and submit a vacation request form to the Designated School Official (DSO) 14 days in advance.
• Students are responsible to verify student’s I-20 expiration date and according to regulation maintain accurate contact information.
• Any outstanding tuition should be paid prior to vacation request. Students must make a $200 nonrefundable tuition deposit to be applied to the next session payment upon the student’s return. These $200 are the required, with the intention to return to Zoni Language Centers and maintain his/her status during the vacation period.
• See an academic advisor for academic evaluation after vacation.
• Returning from authorized vacation, students are responsible to resume their program of study on the date indicated on the authorization letter.
• Students might be eligible to take four (4) weeks Intersection academic break after completing 12 weeks of Program of Study.
• All vacation requests must be sent through your Zoni Portal Account.
• See the Academic Advisor before to get the approval.



7. Students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress in their studies and to actively pursue the completion of their educational objectives.


8. The DSO must be notified 2 weeks in advance if student plans to transfer to a new school, transfer to another Zoni Language Center, or if returning to his/her home country. If the student is transferring out, the DSO will provide student with the guidance needed to successfully complete a transfer procedure to another school. In addition, the DSO will work with student and the accepting school’s DSO to coordinate the release of student’s SEVIS record taking in consideration the academic needs and program start date at the accepting school. If the student is returning to his/her home country, the DSO will advise on necessary steps to be taken before departure. If you are looking to transfer to another SEVP-certified school, you must notify your PDSO or DSO and forward your new school acceptance letter and transfer verification form. Please be aware that transfer records to your new SEVP-certified school takes two (2) weeks.


9. Students, who will need to continue studies after the expiration of their Form I-20, must apply for an extension at least 30 days and no less than 2 weeks before their current I-20 form expires.


10. Students must maintain 70% of attendance during their course. Attendance is considered for every class and each course. Class attendance is strictly monitored. A student is marked late when he/she arrives 30 minutes after the class has begun or leaves permanently before the final 15 minutes of a class period. Students who arrive more than 60 minutes will be marked absent. Four (4) Ls [late] constitute one A [absence].


11. After successfully completing their program of study, students have a 60-day grace period to prepare for departure from the United States or to transfer to another school. However, a student who fails to maintain lawful F-1 status is not eligible for any grace period.


12. Students who are authorize by the DSO to withdraw from classes prior to the completion of their program of study will be allowed a 15-days grace period for departure from the United States. (Student must explain to the DSO the reason for the request, if leaving the country or transferring to College or University.)

I understand that I have been admitted to the United States temporarily and solely for the purpose of study. Also, I am personally responsible for compliance with all Department of Homeland Security regulations applicable to me and listed on page 3 of the Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 issued by Zoni Language Centers and endorsed with my signature. My signature below indicates my understanding, approval and acceptance of the above polices.

___________________________

Student’s printed name

___________________________

Student’s signature

_______ / ________ / ______

Date ( month / day / year )

___________________________

I.D. number

Registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Mail and/or courier fees are refundable only if admissions/enrollment related documents were not mailed by the school.

If the institution cancels the student’s program of study and/or denied admission subsequent to a student’s enrollment, Zoni will refund all monies paid by the student, except for non-refundable charges.

The tuition refund policies are in compliance with the governing laws of the education departments of the respective states. Please refer to the student handbook or contact the respective school location for the policies pertaining to the study at that location.

A student can officially drop a class and request a refund calculation by submitting the refund request form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know

Studying abroad is an exciting but also nerve-wracking decision. Therefore, at Zoni it is important that our students feel as comfortable and as well prepared as possible. On this page we answer some of the questions that we get asked most often. Things like ‘What happens if I get sick?’, ‘What if I want to change my homestay?’ or more general questions like 'What is an i-20?’ or ‘How do I get my visa?’. You are also welcome to contact us anytime with any specific questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Questions about Zoni English Courses

What level of English do I need to study at Zoni?

Our Standard English courses start at beginner level. For the ESL for Business and English for Specific Purposes courses you need at least a high intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency. For exam preparation courses, you need an advanced level of English.

How will Zoni check my English level?

During the admissions process, before you start the classes you will take an English test. This checks your grammar, writing, listening, and speaking skills. To check your English level now, click here to contact us.

Which course should I choose?

This depends on your goal. From beginners to academic English, there is a course to meet your needs. More information on our courses can be found in the ‘Programs and Courses’ section of this website.

What is Zoni's most popular course?

This is different from campus to campus. At our New York and New Jersey campuses our intensive and semi- intensive English courses and our English for Specific Purposes course are very popular.

What should I do if I think I am in the wrong class?

The first step is to approach your teacher. If you and your teacher both feel that the class is wrong for you, we will reassess your proficiency.

Will I get a certificate?

Yes, you are given a Zoni Language Centers certificate if you successfully complete your course. Your teacher will also provide a progress report. Students may request an attendance certificate.

Does Zoni have exam preparation courses?

We have preparation courses for TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE and the Cambridge exams (FCE, CAE and CPE). Please note that the exam fee is not included in the tuition price.

Questions about visas

How do I apply for my F-1 visa?

You will receive detailed instructions regarding your visa with your I-20. You can also find information at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html

What is an I-20?

The I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Status. This document enables you to apply for your F-1 visa.

Can I study at Zoni on an F-1 visa?

Yes, Zoni Language Centers is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. This means that international students can study with us. Please note that F-1 visa holders must study full-time.

How do I apply for my F-1 visa?

After you receive your I-20, you must pay your SEVIS fee. You can do this online. As soon as this is paid, contact your nearest American embassy or consulate to make an appointment. Contact us if you have questions.

Can I study part-time?

U.S. immigration regulations require F-1 visa holders to study full-time only. Some visa types do permit part-time study (Contact us if you have questions.).

What is conditional acceptance?

Conditional acceptance means that you are accepted into an undergraduate program, but you have not met the University's English proficiency requirement. After you meet that requirement, you can study at the university that gave you conditional acceptance.

Can I change schools?

USA – Yes, but you must request a new I-20 and pay a fee. In some cases, you need to go back to the American Consulate to report the change. After you arrive, you must contact the original school about your cancellation responsibilities. UK – If you are on a short-term study visa it is possible. Although you must check with your school to find out about your responsibilities. If you are on a Tier 4 visa, please contact us for information. Canada – Yes. However, after arrival ensure you see the school advisor in case you require a work permit.

Questions about arrival

When should I arrive?

You can join classes on Mondays, so we recommend you arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before your start date. If you are an F1 student no earlier than 30 days before your starting date.

How do I recognize the person meeting me at the airport?

The person meeting you at the airport will have a sign with 'Zoni Language Centers' and your name on it. They will also have all of your information, including your name and flight details. Normally they stand at the barrier where you come out after collecting your luggage. They will be looking for you and are very good at spotting our students. If, for some reason, you do not find them, go to the information desk and ask them to call the representative from Zoni language Centers. Stay near the information desk and they will come to you.

Questions about activities and social programs

Does Zoni have any social programs?

Each Zoni campus has its own social program to make sure you have a great time during your stay. You can find out more on the Zoni Activities tab or see specific details once you arrive.

Do I have to take part in the optional activities?

The activities are entirely optional. These activities give students the opportunity to have some fun outside the classroom. Optional activities and excursions have an extra cost. You can find out more and pay for activities at Zoni. Keep in mind that some of our courses offer field trips as part of the curriculum. This means that they are included in your course fees.

Questions about Homestay and accommodation

How far in advance should I make my booking?

For the best choice of accommodation please book as early as possible. However, in general it also possible to enroll for a course at fairly short notice.

Questions about Homestay and accommodation

Will my host family live near the school?

All students would like to live close to the school, but in reality, this is not always possible. You should be prepared to travel to school each day by train or bus. Your host family will help you and provide information regarding the local transportation route and how to get to school.

What happens if I do not like my host family?

At Zoni, we do our best to place you in a great home. If a student is not happy, we take immediate action. First, we discuss the issue with the student, and if for instance they did not have enough food or can't work the shower, we sort it out with the family. However, if there is a personality clash or they were allergic to an animal for example, we would arrange a new host family. Whatever the problem, big or small, we do our best to solve it.

General questions – sickness, internet etc

What happens if I get sick during the course?

If you need to see a doctor, your support person at Zoni will arrange this for you. A group leader can also go with you if you want. If you have insurance that wasn’t arranged by Zoni, please contact your insurance provider immediately to find out where you should go. Without valid health insurance you will need to pay for all medical treatments and prescriptions yourself. It is strongly recommended, that our students have full insurance.

Is it possible to use the Internet?

We provide free Internet access to our students. We also have Wi-Fi so you can access the Internet from your laptop, tablet or mobile phone. You can also use our student computer.

If I have questions about anything, who can I ask?

The schools’ staff is always available to answer students’ questions by phone, on-line or in-person.

Each school has an Academic Lead and other staff members who are all happy to answer your questions. You will also have a teacher assigned to your class who can help with any course related questions.

Questions about enrollment, payment, cancellation, and group bookings

What is Zoni’s Admissions Process?

You can contact one of our student service representatives directly or making the request on this website to be contacted. The application can be done either by filling out our application form, or by booking online and a student service representative will be guiding you on the entire process. Do not forget to review our Terms and Conditions.

How can I pay?

Wire Transfer: Payments made by wire transfer will be subject to a $40.00 wire-transfer fee. Credit Card: Zoni accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Dinners Club and Discover credit cards. Please check with your bank to make sure that your credit card can be used in the United States and to determine your daily transaction limit. Other Methods of Payment: The school accepts traveler's checks, and cash. However, students are cautioned against carrying large sums of cash.

What should you do in case of cancellation, visa refusal or I change my mind?

Please review our terms & conditions as well as our refund policies. For any further questions, you can contact your student service representative or write here

Does Zoni Language Centers accept group bookings?

Yes, Zoni Language Centers is happy to receive groups of students for our courses. For more information, please contact us here

PAYMENTS

Payments must be made by bank wire transfer or credit card and must be received in full 2 weeks prior to the course start date. The admissions documents and confirmation will be sent when the initial fees required is received. Bank details are provided on the invoice. Bank transfer fees must be absorbed by the sender (including any intermediary bank charges).

VISAS

Zoni Language Center is not responsible for decisions made by any embassy or immigration authority regarding entry visas or visa extensions. Payment must be received in full prior to any visa documents being issued. Visa advice can only be given by the appropriate Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. Students should contact these local authorities to ensure they are allowed to enter and study in their chosen location. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the most updated regulations/processes are being followed.

Zoni cannot be held responsible for any visa regulation changes which occur after the booking has been confirmed in compliance with the existing regulations. A charge will be made each time documents have to be sent based on destination and courier service used. These charges are subject to change based on market rates. If a visa application is rejected, tuition fees will be refunded, less any bank charges or credit cards service percentage fees and any nonrefundable costs. Zoni reserves the right to offer alternative accommodations should we receive a positive visa application result in fewer than 7 working days prior to arrival. Should the arrival day be postponed due to delayed visa applications Zoni cannot guarantee reservation of the original accommodations. If any additional charges are incurred reserving the accommodation for the student, Zoni reserves the right to pass these charges on.

Zoni is authorized under federal law to enroll F-1 non-immigrant students in US. By law, to issue the 1-20 form, Zoni must receive with the enrollment form: the student's home address, a copy of the student's passport, proof of sufficient funds to meet tuition and living expenses through a current (60 days or less) bank statement or letter from either the sponsoring person's or institution's bank. Sponsors must also provide an affidavit of support.

Cancellation for groups

Please contact your international coordinator for more information.

Accommodation cancellation or Postponement prior to arrival for all schools

Zoni recommends third parties for accommodation, therefore the cancellation /Refund policy is subject to third party/host/platform where the student is booking the service.

Some terms and conditions required by third party includes the following terms and conditions. Terms and conditions vary according to type of accommodation selected.

Accommodation cancellation after arrival

Students leaving their accommodation must give notice in writing 4 weeks prior to termination. After deducting the price of accommodations used, including the required notice period, charged at standard accommodation rates, students will be refunded the remaining balance. If the 4-week notice period is not provided a cancellation fee equal to 4 weeks of the accommodation cost will apply. Please note: Certain accommodation options may be subject to special cancellation charges. Should these differ from the terms above, students will be notified at the time of cancellation.

Cancellation prior to arrival

• Students canceling 15 days or more prior to the accommodation start date or students who have had their visa application rejected will be refunded fees received in full: less non-refundable charges such as registration fees, accommodation placement fee, courier fees. The value of these fees varies according to region, the costs are listed for each school in the price list.
• Refunds will be made within 45 calendar days.

Holidays

All Zoni centers will be closed on the following Holidays:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Good Friday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving Day and Day After Christmas Day.

Centers do not make up for lessons missed on these dates. Published course start dates fall on a Monday. If this day is a holiday, the course will begin on the following working day.

Privacy Statement

Last Updated: December 2025

Zoni Language Centers (“Zoni,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information belonging to our students, prospective students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and visitors to https://www.zoni.edu and any affiliated digital services we operate or license.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information in accordance with current federal laws, New York State regulations, and industry best practices, including the NY SHIELD Act, FERPA, TCPA, and applicable privacy and consumer-protection standards.

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When changes are made, we will update the “Effective Date” and notify you when required by law.

PERSONAL INFORMATION DEFINED

“Personal Information” (“PI”) means any information that identifies, relates to, describes, or can be reasonably linked to an individual. This includes: Name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, demographic information, student records protected under FERPA, employment information (for applicants and employees), online identifiers such as IP address, device information, and cookies, SMS opt-in/opt-out status (per TCPA and CTIA rules)

We only collect sensitive data when legally required or when you give explicit consent.

YOUR RIGHTS

Depending on your relationship with Zoni, you have the right to:

• Access Your Personal Information: You may request a copy of the personal information we maintain about you.
• Request Correction or Update: If information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request correction.
• Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw consent for optional processing (such as marketing messages) at any time.
• FERPA Rights (Students Only): Students have the right to access and amend educational records and to limit disclosure of FERPA-protected information.

How to Submit Requests

Please contact us via email for general Privacy inquiries and students at info@zoni.edu and for Faculty and Employees: hrd@zoni.edu

To ensure authenticity, we may require that requests be submitted from the email on record or require identity verification.

HOW WE COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Information You Provide Directly

We collect information when you: Apply for admission, complete course registration, submit forms or inquiries, apply for employment, interact with student or staff portals, Opt-in to SMS communications.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website or online platforms, we may collect: IP address, device information, browser type.

Pages visited and site interactions

Cookie and tracking data (only for functional, performance, or consented marketing purposes)

You may disable cookies in your browser. Our website will remain usable, though some features may be limited.

Information from Third-Party Services

Our website integrates with services such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google, and other platforms. Their policies govern your interactions with those services.

HOW WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION

We use personal information to: Evaluate and process student applications, support enrollment, registration, and academic records, deliver educational programs and student services, authenticate users in student and employee portals, communicate administrative updates, provide legally required notices, send optional promotional or informational content only with explicit opt-in consent.

We do not sell personal information.

We do not share SMS opt-in numbers for marketing.

Sharing is limited to:

Service providers under contract who support academic, administrative, or technical operations

Legal or regulatory authorities (when required by law)

Third parties necessary to protect safety, enforce policies, or prevent fraud

Anonymous or aggregated (non-identifiable) data may be used for analytics, program improvement, or reporting.

SMS COMPLIANCE

By opting into SMS alerts, you consent to receiving messages related to:

Enrollment, academic updates, reminders, school announcements and optional promotional offers (only if explicitly consented). You may opt-out at any time by texting STOP.

Mobile numbers are not sold, they are not shared with third parties for external marketing and they are used only for Zoni-authorized messaging campaigns.

HOW WE PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards that meet or exceed:

New York SHIELD Act data security standards, FERPA protections, industry cybersecurity practices

Protections include:

Encrypted transmissions and encrypted payment data, restricted access based on job function, secure servers and firewalls, multi-factor authentication for internal systems, routine monitoring and vulnerability management.

DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information only for: As long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, compliance with academic, business, or legal requirements, obligations under FERPA, SHIELD Act, IRS, employment laws, and accreditation rules.

When no longer required, information is securely deleted or anonymized.

INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or other regions with enhanced privacy laws, you consent to the transfer of your data to the United States. While U.S. laws may provide different levels of protection, Zoni implements reasonable safeguards to protect your data.

CHILDREN’S PRIVACY (COPPA COMPLIANT)

Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 without verified parental consent, as required by COPPA.Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 without verified parental consent, as required by COPPA.

LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites linked on Zoni.edu. Their policies govern your use of those sites.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For privacy concerns, rights requests, or withdrawal of consent:

📧 info@zoni.edu

📬 Zoni Language Centers

535 8th avenue, New York, NY, USA

SECURITY POLICY (PAYMENTS)

Your payment and personal information are safeguarded using an industry-leading encrypted payment system. All credit card information is encrypted and protected during transmission.

What is a cookie?

Cookies are small text files or pieces of information that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit our website. A cookie contains the name of the website and a value, which can be used for a variety of purposes.

“Session” cookies are held in memory and only exist during your visit to our website. “Persistent” cookies are stored on your device until they expire and can therefore be used by our website on your subsequent visits. All persistent cookies have a "lifetime" which dictates how long the cookie will remain active on your device.

Our cookies do not contain any data that could be used to identify you personally.

What do we use cookies for?

We use cookies to make our website easier to use and to make the content you see more relevant. Cookies allow us to record important information about your visit and this helps us to make the website better for you, and for other visitors.

We also use cookies to create statistics that help us improve the structure and content of our website. We cannot identify you personally from this information.

Third party cookies

We use a number of systems that are provided by external suppliers. In some cases, they may also set cookies on your device on our behalf when you visit our website.

Managing cookies

All modern web browsers allow you to control the use of cookies on your device. You are also able to delete existing cookies and other stored data on your device should you wish to do so.

Instructions for Google Chrome (https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies )

Instructions for Firefox (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer)

Instructions for Internet Explorer (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/delete-and-manage-cookies-168dab11-0753-043d-7c16-ede5947fc64d )

Instructions for Microsoft Edge (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/microsoft-edge-browsing-data-and-privacy-bb8174ba-9d73-dcf2-9b4a-c582b4e640dd)

Cookies improve your experience on our website, and we encourage you to leave them enabled.

Our Zoni cookies

Essential cookies

These are necessary for our website to work. If you choose to disable cookies for our website, you will not be able to use many of the features.

Examples include:

Session cookies that remember your actions as you navigate our websites.

Security cookies that check the validity of your actions during your visit helping to keep our websites and services safe and secure.

Analytics and Performance cookies

These cookies help us collect information about how you use our websites over time; the areas you visit, the time spent on our websites and issues and errors you may encounter. This information helps us to continually improve the information we provide and the performance of our websites and services.

Features and Services cookies

We use features and services provided by third parties that may set cookies on our behalf. Commonly such services are embedded on our web pages to provide functionality such as video players and social media sharing tools. These third-party services may set their own cookies which we cannot control or access.

For example, these services allow us to provide a personalized experience based on your previous visits or location, allow you to easily comment on our blog posts using your Facebook account, to engage with social tools or to conveniently prefill fields in our online forms.

Advertising and marketing cookies

These cookies are used to measure advertising effectiveness and to deliver content that is relevant to your interests. They may be used to deliver behavioral/targeted advertising on other websites you visit or to highlight content and services we feel are of interest to you based on your activity on our websites and/or other websites within our advertising networks.

Pixel Tags

We use pixel tags (clear gifs) that are shared with third parties in order to enable certain marketing activities. The information we gather helps us to target advertisements and promotions that appear on our website.

As with cookies, the information we capture through pixel tags cannot be used to personally identify you.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

We use ATP Profiler to serve ads for retargeting and advertising. To view more information about how your personal data is used, click the following link: https://atp.io/profiler.html