The requirements for China student visa application are:
1. admission letter
2. JW201 OR JW202
3. your passport
4. one passport
5. one completed visa application form
6. other requirements required by visa officer
He can't start visa application today if he will go to China after 6 months travel. The student visa is generally single-entry and is valid for 3 months, the visa will expire when he goes to China, he had better apply for visa one or two months before his departure.