Study English in the USA at A.C.E. Language Institute at Seattle Pacific University. A.C.E. at Seattle Pacific University is located in Seattle, Washington, USA. Seattle Pacific University is a small, private university located in a safe residential neighborhood, just a few minutes north of downtown Seattle. A.C.E. students spend 20 hours a week in intensive English language class and 5 or more hours in optional elective classes. Students may choose to live with a host family or off campus apartments. This institute also offers the Super Intensive and Flex programs, which include tutoring.
The Mission at A.C.E. Language Institute at Seattle Pacific University is to provide students with the language skills, cultural knowledge and experience they need to use English to effectively communicate in academia and the workplace and to provide opportunities for personal growth.
Learn English in Seattle! Seattle is located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with views of mountains and water in every direction. The city is at sea level and therefore enjoys a mild climate. Seattle is famous for its high-tech industries, music scene, coffee shops, and shopping districts. Seattle was ranked the most educated city in the United States in 2006, and is also home to famous companies such as Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon and Starbucks. Seattle also has a good bus system, so it's easy to get around.
* Fees do not include additional one-time $100 A.C.E. application fee. Express Mailing of I-20 form by courier service is available for additional $65. Tutoring is available for the Intensive program for an additional $750 per session.
** Student Services fee includes campus based services.
*** Housing fees are approximate for 5 week sessions and vary depending on choice of homestay, hostel, or private apartment. SPU dormitory may be available in June, July and August, but cannot be guaranteed. Fee will be set when and if dormitory is available.
**** Meal budget is approximate and will vary based on use of host family meals, on-campus cafeteria, or self-catering in apartments. Meals are included with homestays.
***** All students are required to have valid health insurance. Students studying full-time on an A.C.E. I-20 must purchase health insurance through A.C.E. Fees listed above cover the student during the 5-week session. Students may purchase additional coverage for vacation periods. View our health insurance plan here. (Exceptions will be made for students who have a scholarship with their government and can provide a valid Financial Guarantee and insurance card.) Students who are not studying on an A.C.E. I-20 are not eligible for A.C.E. insurance, but should provide proof of their own insurance upon arrival.
Application Fee
$100 application fee is required at the time of application. It is non-refundable.
Deferral, Cancellation and Refund Policy
"Deferral" means that prior to arrival, a student asks A.C.E. to defer their studies to a later start date. A $50 deferral fee will be charged for each deferral. “Cancellation” means a current A.C.E. student registers and prepays for a session but later decides not to attend. To cancel, contact the A.C.E. office before classes begin. Full refunds are given for cancellations before the start of session, however a $250 cancellation fee will be charged. Refunds can be applied to future tuition and fees. No refunds are given after the session has started. If the cancellation and refund policy changes, A.C.E. will follow the policy under which the student made payment.
Financial Documentation for F-1 Visa Students
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires that students have sufficient financial resources to meet school and living costs while in the U.S. The student, parents, or a sponsor must provide a current bank statement or an official letter from a bank verifying sufficient funds.
Housing Requests
In Seattle, A.C.E. can refer you to a variety of housing options so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. To arrange your housing, please carefully review the Housing Options page and then apply directly to the provider as early as possible. Housing requests must be made at least 4 weeks before the student's proposed arrival.
Courier Mailing Fee
Students may request to have acceptance materials and I-20 sent by courier mail service. There will be an additional charge of $65 for courier mail service. All applications received less than 30 days before the student's requested start date will be sent by courier mail service.
Other Expenses
Students should expect to buy books at a cost of $50-$150 per session. Students should budget additional money for personal expenses such as travel or entertainment. These expenses will vary.
Payment of Fees
A.C.E. will accept payment by traveler's check, personal check drawn on a U.S. bank, cashier's check, credit card, or wire transfer. To pay by wire transfer you must add a $30 wire transfer fee to the amount invoiced.
Age Requirement
Students aged 17 and older may enroll in an A.C.E. Language Institute. Students younger than 17 should contact A.C.E. for information on youth programs.
* Applications after the deadline may be considered individually on a space available basis, as time permits for visa processing.
Flex Start Policy: A.C.E. may accommodate students with special entry date needs.
The A.C.E. Language Institute sessions closely match the schedule of the university location
during the school year. During the summer, there is more variation to the schedules, due to shorter
university summer terms.
A.C.E. Language Institute at SPU Holidays
2017
New Year's Day observed
January 2
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16
Presidents' Day
February 20
University Holiday
April 14 (1/2 day)
Memorial Day
May 29
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
September 4
Veterans Day
November 10
Thanksgiving
November 23 - 24
Christmas observed
December 22 - 25
Housing & Transit
There are several housing options available for A.C.E. students. A.C.E. cannot arrange housing, but we can provide resources. Please review the list below and contact us if you have any questions.
Homestay - Homestays can help you practice speaking English in your living environment. The length of time can be flexible and costs are often most reasonable. You can choose from several experienced homestay providers in the Seattle area. Please apply directly to the homestay provider as early as possible.
Apartment - A.C.E. Language Institutes have apartments near them that are safe and convenient. Apartments provide the freedom to live independently, but may involve fixed-time commitment leases. Students are responsible for finding their own apartment and arranging deposits/leases. Our staff can assist you with resources to find an apartment. One resource is CORT apartment searches and furniture rentals for unfurnished apartments.
Dormitory - SPU Dormitories / Campus Apartments may be available in June, July and August, but cannot be guaranteed. You can choose to live with one or more other students. You can apply directly to A.C.E. and we will forward your application to SPU which does the placement.
Hostel - A.C.E. has a close relationship with the American Hotel in Seattle (www.hiusa.org/seattle), located within a short bus ride from the SPU campus and available year-round. The American Hotel, a historic Seattle building, was newly remodeled and opened under the management of Hostelling International in 2009. This is an excellent and inexpensive dormitory option for students and trainees desiring to be close to the urban experience of Seattle and the International District with easy access to the famous Uwajimaya grocery and gifts store www.uwajimaya.com, the train station, and major attractions like the Mariners baseball stadium and the Seahawks and Sounders football stadium and Pioneer Square.
Airport Shuttle
A.C.E. Language Institute at Seattle Pacific University has partnered with Shuttle Express to provide reasonably priced airport transfer service to our students. If you need an airport transfer when you arrive in Seattle, or returning to the airport, simply click on the link below to conveniently make a reservation online. We recommend you schedule your transfer as soon as you have your flight and housing information.
CORT apartment searches and furniture rentals for unfurnished apartments.
Meet our Staff
Timothy Healy, Director
Tim is originally from Buffalo, New York. He has his M.A. in TESOL and his B.A. in Russian. He studied Russian in the Soviet Union and has lived in Russia. Tim was a faculty member at A.C.E. for seven years before becoming an administrator.
Kara Schultheiss, Assistant Director of Student & Enrollment Services
Kara is originally from Portland, Oregon, but has lived in Seattle for over 10 years. She enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, and many other activities. Kara spent three years teaching English in China, and has completed her M.Ed. in TESOL.
