Every year, international students make up a significant portion of our student body. They enrich our community and help fulfill our vision of spreading Ayurveda! The Ayurvedic Institute is authorized to enroll nonimmigrant students and we are delighted to welcome students from a number of different countries to participate in our program. 

International students need to obtain separate visas for the ASP1 and ASP2 programs and, as the M-1 visa does not allow for annual vacation, students are required to leave the country between the two programs. As an international student, it is important that you follow all the rules pertaining to your visa. We cannot serve as immigration lawyers or give immigration advice. We can, however, help you obtain the appropriate paperwork and support you through the process.

International students are charged the same tuition and fees as all other students. They must provide complete and accurate documentation of sufficient funds in order to qualify for a student visa. The total of these funds must cover the cost of the program, books, and living expenses. 

All students must be proficient in English including having the proficiency to read, write, listen to, speak and understand English at a high academic level. The Ayurvedic Institute does not offer English as a Second Language instruction or English language tutoring services. Decisions regarding English proficiency are at the discretion of the Admissions Team.

All international students must fill out an application for an I-20 and return this form to the Admissions Team. All international students are responsible for the maintenance of their visa status through the duration of the academic year. Therefore, it is important that international students familiarize themselves with the rules regarding international student status. Once on campus, it is extremely important to obtain a travel signature on your I-20 before leaving the United States. Once in the States, please arrange to see a school representative to ensure all your international paperwork is in order. 

We recommend international students contact your local US consulate to inquire about setting up an M-1 visa appointment, as appointment schedules vary from country to country. We cannot guarantee that all government approvals will be completed in time for a student to participate in the program. Our experience with this process is that the earlier you begin, the better. Earlier initiation of the visa-application process allows you to have more time for planning and preparing to be here. To process your application, we will need a copy of your passport and proof of funds covering your school and living expenses, dated no more than 60 days prior to your application date. See our I-20 Request Form for more details.

Download I-20 form for ASP 1

Download I-20 form for ASP 2

Note on the Request Form: To use this form, download the form to your computer and save it on your computer. Close your browser. Open Adobe Acrobat and then open the form that is saved on your computer. Fill out the form and save the completed form on your computer.

Students who have completed the equivalent of the Ayurvedic Studies Program, year 1 (ASP1) in a different institution, can apply to join the second year program (ASP2). Admission into ASP2 is at the discretion of the admissions team, as we want to ensure all of our students’ success in joining the rigorous ASP2 program. 

Operating for more than 38 years, The Ayurvedic Institute is organized as an educational 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The state of New Mexico’s Higher Education Department has authorized and licensed The Ayurvedic Institute as a private post-secondary institution. This school is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students. The Ayurvedic Institute is not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Ayurvedic Institute does not currently offer government-sponsored financial aid or other loan programs. We do offer payment plans for students who would like to pay per trimester or on a 10 / 12-month payment plan. Visit us here to learn more. We also sponsor partial scholarships each year to help support students in need with continuing their studies.

Please see the Student Handbook for details on grading, what makes for satisfactory academic progress and graduation requirements.

The Ayurvedic Institute does not discriminate in admissions, testing, financial aid, or any other practice on the basis of gender, nationality, religion, age, or disability, in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

People who have questions or complaints regarding The Ayurvedic Institute should first seek resolution directly with the party involved. If this does not resolve the issue, they should discuss it with the Dean of Education. If further actions are needed, the Administrator of The Ayurvedic Institute may review the issue. At each point in the process an impartial representative of The Ayurvedic Institute not directly involved with the complaint will participate in finding a resolution. A response will be given to the student between three and ten days from the date of notification of the Dean of Education. If a question or complaint cannot be resolved within The Ayurvedic Institute, the student may contact the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 476-6500, or online at hed.state.nm.us.

Complaint forms may be obtained from the NMHED at ppsd.smapply.io/res/p/student_complaint/. There will be no adverse action taken against the student for registering a complaint. For more details and a step-by-step process for students, see the Student Handbook or call The Ayurvedic Institute directly.

One way of supporting our full-time ASP1 and ASP2 students is by offering a number of student benefits. For example, students receive discounts on additional courses, seminars and clinical appointments, products, as well as access to listen to recordings of Vasant Lad class lectures, a one year Ayurvedic Institute membership, and a subscription to our quarterly journal, Ayurveda Today.

According to Vasant Lad, “sattva is the pure essence of light, right action, and spiritual purpose. Eating sattvic food, waking up early in the morning when sattvic qualities are most present in nature, and taking in what is sattvic with our five senses are all ways to bring the sattva quality into the mind and experience clarity, love, and compassion.”

Our goal is to co-create a sattvic space for both others and ourselves. Following Vedic tradition, the classroom is a sacred space, a container in which profound learning happens. Within this space, we treat each other and ourselves with respect, kindness, and compassion. We speak honestly and bring forth our best effort. Co-creating a sacred space also includes minimization of distractions, so we observe modest dress, maintain punctuality, and refrain from the use of modern technology during class. This code is not meant to limit individual creativity or freedom, but rather to foster an environment in which profound learning, healing, and transformation can manifest. You can find more information about classroom dress in our Student Handbook.