Student Visa Application - What documents do I need? And other questions...

hello all,

I posted here awhile back and got some great information regarding student visas, and now the time has finally (it seems like its been a lifetime) to apply for my visa. I've found that a lot of websites; including, if not especially, government websites are very vague on what documentation you should submit with your application to help the process along. Thus I have come here asking for advice, anyone who has applied for a student visa through the post what documentation did you send along with it? For instance I have a letter of acceptance from the school, but nothing that states how much the course costs, should I request a document from the college that states this information? what type of banking statemnts should I provide? If my parents are helping cover the costs do I need their bank statemnts and also some sort of sponsership form? I know I've got a lot of questions, but I don't want anything to go wrong. Thanks for all the help, this place is great.

Cheers,
Daniel

PS: this is very reassuring: http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/GlobalStats2005,0.pdf   only 1.9% of student visa applications from North America are declined.

I sent my passport, 2 pics and the fee.  Then from my uni, the letter of final acceptance which included the fee.  I sent in 3 months of bank statements, my loan papers saying I would be receiving $28,500. 

If your parents are helping you, you'll need a letter from them and probably bank statements as well.  Possibly pay stubs. 

I think there's an old thread about this.  I'll look..

thanks for the info!

so far I have this:
Application forms
Application Fee
Passport
2 Photographs
A quarterly statement from my money market account showing ~$11,000
Paystubs (Ill send about 6 weeks worth)
A letter from my parents stating that they're paying for my tuition
A quarterly account statement from my parents showing more than enough for tuition
Past paystubs fro mmy parents
Letter from the college stating my acceptance
Letter from the college stating course fees

I can't think of much else to show other than this. When my girlfriend applied for a US visa (and got declined twice) they said she didnt have sufficient proof of her intent to return back home after school, should I produce evidence of my intent to return back to the states, and if so what should I use (this is actually interesting becuase I would feel like im lying, because I don't actually want to come back, I'd like to get married and stay there... but that's a ways off).

Also, the course I've been accepted into is a one year course, but I plan on transfering to a university after that year for a 4 year course, on my application should I state this, or just state the one year course seeing as how I havent been accepted into the uni yet?

One final question, I want to be honest, but I feel like bad things could come of it. Where it asks if you know anyone in the UK should I list my girlfriend as a friend, or put down that she is my girlfriend?

As always your answers are much appreciated.
cheers,
Daniel

i know im just full of questions, but hey.. until I get told to shut up and go away theyre gonna keep coming. My newest one is this, I could find no information pertaining to this on the website but: if I apply for my visa online at www.visa4uk.fco.gov when do I need to mail my supporting documents? do I do it the day after, or do I have to wait a certain time... ahhh why cant I just get on a plane and move there.. AHHHH... sorry for that, but seriously this is all so complicated.

cheers,
Dan

EDIT: I just went through a trial run so to speak of the fast track application, and everything looks great and straight forward except one thing; where I'll be living. My plan is to stay with my friends for a short time until I get a flat sorted out but theres no way to enter this in, should I just indicate stay with friends and make a written amendment to this with my supporting documents?

I did a fasttrack and sent in my documents later, like 2 months later!  So, no worries because they won't process it until you send in those documents. 

I stayed with AnneR until  I found my first flat.  I put down her address as where I'd be staying.  I moved about 3 weeks after I arrived but didn't need to tell anyone or provide proof.  I didn't know how long I'd be at their house.