Detailed information on when and how to apply for an F-1 student visa can be found on the travel.state.gov website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html.
Additional information on how to gain and maintain F-1 vsia status can be found at the Study in the States website provided by the Department of Homeland Security at http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students.