Does anyone know the rules to a student Visa. I know that they're are papers I need to take to the Consolate, but so i have to apply in person, and will they accept an open-ended return flight plane ticket? Thanks for the help!

I'm on my tippy-tip toes dancing on top of the world, care to join me?

Check out this link:
http://www.learn4good.com/travel/ita_visa.htm

Plan on going to the consulate at least a couple of times. Rules vary by consulates. One person's experience may not always apply to yours. Ask your school in Italy to provide a list of references as well and see if you can get in touch with someone who's been through this.

Dani, head on over to my site (my sig) and go to the page on Student Visas. It will have a link for your local consulate which is what you need to follow as all consulates may have added requirements. Make sure you bring at least 7 copies of everything and don't forget to bring your passport. You will leave it there and they can send it to you when it is all completed. HTH

Moving to Italy and Driving in Italy

I've never done an italian student visa, but I've gotten visas to many other places. My advice is that one should understand that consulate employees are incredibly bored reading the same forms. So a little human touch is always welcome.

I usually attach a letter with each visa application, explaining a little about my trip purpose and addressing key questions the consulate may have. In your case, the consulate's job is to make sure that 1) you will come back and 2) your trip will be financially feasible. So a letter to that effect will be helpful. Finally, whenever a consulate rules read certain documents are "optional", they will mean "required" to you.

You still haven't told me what it is that I've said!
-- anonymous

Thank you for all of the help...The visa process is quite overwhelming to me, this being my first time applying for a visa. If there is any other advice you can offer, it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

I'm on my tippy-tip toes dancing on top of the world, care to join me?

Dani, it isn't that bad, at least not the student visa one. If you go to THE HOUSTON CONSULATE SITE it will give you the info you need. You may want to check around my site for other info. Also, today, if you don't have it already, get the new edition of LIving Studying and Working in Italy by Monica Larner. It has tons of good info and even I use it after 9 years of being here.

Bubba, the requirements for all Italian visas do require proof of enough funds to live for the alloted time and a letter of request as well as many more things.

Moving to Italy and Driving in Italy

Dani-- you will do fine! Italy is a still a civilized nation you know. Just by reading your posts, you seem to be way ahead of curve than many young people looking to study abroad.