USA College Prep Academies (USA CPA) is a group of U.S. colleges and universities that are former hosts of the EducationUSA Academy & Academy Connects Programs. Embry‑Riddle Language Institute (ERLI) is excited to join the new consortium to continue the college preparatory programs for international students.
ERLI will be hosting programs in the summer of 2026!
Applications will open in October 2025.
Updates about our virtual and in-person programs will be posted on this website. Please visit this website again soon or contact ERLI@erau.edu.
Program Summary
College Prep Academies at Embry‑Riddle is a pre-college program for international high school students. Students are introduced to a variety of aviation-related topics while learning about the U.S. higher education system, university application process and effective communication.
Academy students will:
- Attend workshops in academic communication and aviation topics, such as radio telephony, aerospace physiology and human factors.
- Apply skills learned in workshops in team challenges.
- Visit a variety of U.S. colleges and universities and talk with admission counselors.
- Learn important information about studying in the United States, including the visa process and financial aid.
- Write a college admissions essay and receive feedback from ERAU admission counselors in a one-on-one session.
- Learn about international student experience from an International Student Panel.
- Participate in excursions, such as the Kennedy Space Center and St. Augustine.
Why Choose Embry-Riddle?
- "U.S. News & World Report" 2024-2025 ranks Embry‑Riddle as the No. 1 most innovative school in the nation.
- Embry‑Riddle’s engineering physics program is one of the largest ABET-accredited programs in the nation.
- Major airlines hire more alumni from Embry‑Riddle than from any other collegiate aviation program.
- Embry‑Riddle's B.S. in Aerospace Physiology blends aerospace with life science. It is the only undergraduate degree of its kind in the U.S.
In-Person Program
| When | July 19-July 31, 2026 |
| Contact Hours | 70 hours |
| Where | In-person at the ERAU campus in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA |
| Cost |
US $50 application fee US $4,250 (Ask ERLI@erau.edu about scholarships!) |
| Topic | Aviation Career Exploration & Intro to U.S. Higher Education |
| How to Apply |
The application will open in October 2025. |
Requirements
- Be a current high school student between 15-17 years of age.
- Reside outside of the United States.
- Have at least an intermediate English language proficiency (e.g., B2 on the CEFR scale or higher).
Activities
In-person College Prep Academy will keep students busy all day long! Students are expected to attend all program activities, including:
- Academic Preparation Classes (~30 hours)
- Aviation Topics & Aerospace Career Exploration (~15 hours)
- Team Building Activities: Escape Room, Community Quest, etc.
- College Visits: Flagler College, Daytona State College, Bethune Cookman University, and University of Central Florida
- Field Trips: Museum of Arts & Sciences, Kennedy Space Center, and St. Augustine
Students are also expected to complete some independent and group work assignments outside of the classroom.
Note: Program participants will be chaperoned at all times.
Cost
A $50 application fee is required
Please note: Your application will not be processed until the application fee is paid.
The cost for the in-person camp is $4,250. The non-refundable deposit of $500 is due May 1, 2026, and the camp must be paid in full by June 15, 2026. A limited number of scholarships up to $500 are available. Please contact ERLI@erau.edu for more information.
The program cost includes:
- Tuition
- Books and materials
- Housing and meals
- Field trips and activities
- Transportation during camp
The program cost does not include:
- Transportation to and from home country to ERAU campus
- Visa or other travel documents
- Personal items and souvenirs
Questions?
Email ERLI@erau.edu.