Why it is hard: Banks prioritise limited official FX for sectors with the cleanest paperwork and timing predictability. Student PTA/BTA often bunches into peak windows (visa decisions, resumption weeks), so queues form. Documentation gaps (mismatched names across passport/admission/invoice, stale statements, unclear source of funds) also push files back.

What works today: Start 6–8 weeks early. Make sure the offer/tuition invoice carries your exact passport name and student ID, and that Form A values match the invoice to the cent. Keep a tidy file: passport biodata, visa page/admission letter, I-20/CAS or equivalent, school bank details, and proof of tuition balance after PTA. If your bank has a dedicated FX desk, walk in early mornings and ask about their weekly allocation day; submissions just before allocation tend to clear faster. Consider part-payment schedules if your school allows it, and maintain a small domiciliary buffer to cover shortfalls rather than jumping to the parallel market at spikes. Finally, maintain communication with the school’s bursary — many quietly extend deadlines when they see bank queue letters.