You can use many different resources to find information about studying in the United States, including from helpful online tools. Study in the States, the Department of State, and EducationUSA have free information to help answer your questions.

Some students choose to use a recruiter, broker, or agent to help them in the process. You are not required to do so to study in the United States. Here are some things to remember if you hire a recruiter:

• The U.S. government cannot force recruiters to refund fees for not meeting your expectations (such as bad living arrangements, or the school program not providing what you expected).
• When a school accepts you, a designated school official will send you a Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” You should have your Form I-20 mailed to your personal address and your recruiter should not handle it.
• A recruiter cannot influence your acceptance to a school—admission is based upon your qualifications as submitted with your application.
• All documents used to support your eligibility for an F or M visa should be yours. A recruiter must not make or supply any of your required documents.
• A recruiter must not tell you what to say during your visa interview. Making false statements during a visa interview could make you ineligible, not only for your F or M visa but also, possibly, for a future U.S. visa.

If you decide you want to use a recruiter, here are some tips:

• Look for a recruiter with a legitimate reputation in your community. Ask peers, current teachers, or others who have used the recruiter about their experience.
• Be wary of recruiters that do not detail what services they will provide for a particular fee, or who do not provide sufficient details about their background, training, or experience in the industry when you ask them.
• Be wary of any recruiter who promises that you can work without restrictions while attending school. You cannot work in the United States without authorization and only your designated school officials can authorize you for certain types of employment.
• Verify that the schools your recruiter partners with are Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified—these are the only schools F and M students can attend.
• A recruiter should not offer to write an admissions essay or significantly alter an admissions essay for you.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact or visit an EducationUSA advising center.