Full-Time F1 Students

Step 1: Submit a complete application packet

• APPLICATION DEADLINES

  APPLY NOW!

  Orange Coast College offers admission 3 application intakes, Fall and Spring for initial students and Fall, Spring and Summer for transfer students currently holding a valid F-1 visa. 

   

  
  

  Applicant Type	Summer 2024	Fall 2024**	Spring 2025
  ​ Initial* (Applicants who currently do not hold an F-1 visa or active I-20 record)	No application intake available. To request an exception, email the Global Engagement Center	Friday,  July 12, 2024**	Friday, December 6, 2024
  Transfer (Applicants currently attending a U.S. University, College, High School or Language School with an active 1-20)	Friday, May 31, 2024	Friday,  August 16, 2024	​Friday January 17, 2024
  I-20 Report Date  (Date international students are required to arrive in the U.S.)	Tuesday, June 4, 2024	Tuesday,  August 20, 2024	Tuesday,  January 21, 2024
  Navigate OCC Orientation ​	TBA	TBA	​TBA
  First Day of Instruction	Monday,  June 10, 2024	Monday,  August 26, 2024	Monday,  January 27, 2024

   

  *Initial Applicants with the following, may follow the transfer admission deadlines:

  1. Students intending to enroll in only remote classes.
  2. Passport holders of Canada.
  3. Students out of I-20 active status but holding a valid F-1 visa.

   

  **For students interested in applying for on campus housing for the Fall 2024, it is recommended to apply before April. 

• 1. APPLICATION FORM
  Apply Online
• 2. APPLICATION FEE
  Non-refundable fee of $55.00.
• 3. FINANCIAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

  The current cost of attendance: $27,470 per year. Please note that fees are subject to change without prior notice. For detailed information about current requirements, please visit Estimated Annual Tuition & Fee page. 

  To show proof of funding submit one of the following:

  • Bank statement or bank letter from an account which funds can be liquidated. This can be from a checking or savings account. Investment accounts are subject for review and approval by OCC. 
  • Financial support form. A document issued by OCC for students to obtain a stamp from a bank or financial institution. 
  • Letter of financial guarantee for students who will be sponsored by their country's government. 
• 4. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS

  Submission of academic transcripts is a mandatory requirement for:

  1. Demonstrating English Proficiency.
  2. Verifying high school completion for applicants under 18 years of age entering OCC.

  Please include copies of your academic transcripts when submitting your admissions application. These transcripts may encompass records from high school, secondary school, college, university, or ESL programs.

  It's important to note that translating the transcripts into English or sending them directly to the attended institution is not necessary during the initial admissions review. However, the admission staff might request these additional steps after the initial application review.

  Country Specific Information for High School Transcripts:

  • Africa (East) - EAEC
  • Africa (West) - WAEC
  • British System - GCE O Level or IGCSE (AS or A levels not mandatory)
  • India - Class X and Class XII (any board)
  • Hong Kong – HKDSE
  • Malaysia – SPM (STPM not mandatory)
  • Myanmar - IGCSE or Matriculation exams
  • New Zealand – NCEA Level 2 certificate
  • Pakistan - Class X and Class XII board 
  • UK and Singapore – O-Level or IGCSE 
  • South Korea - Academic transcript or GED certificate
• 5. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
  International students must fulfill one of the following four areas to meet Orange Coast College's English Proficiency Requirement:

  1. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS

  • High School: Demonstration that the primary language of instruction is English.
    • International students who's native language is not English must have completed at a minimum of 3 years of English courses, one of which can be an ESL class, with grades of C or better.
    • IGCSE or GCE O-Level: Successful completion of the exam with a minimum grade of C or better in either English as a First or Second Language.
    • International Baccalaureate: Higher Level (HL) score 3 or higher or Standard Level (SL) score of 5 or higher. 
  • University or Community College: Demonsrtation that the primary language of instruction is English. 
    • International students who's native language is not English must have completed English Composition or the ESL level directly preceding English Composition, with a grade of C or better.

  2. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TESTS

  A valid test result should not be older than 2-years from the date an application for admission is submitted.

  • Duolingo Test for English  - 95
  • TOEFL -  Internet-Based 61 or Paper Based 500 (TOEFL code: 4584)
  • IELTS - 5.5
  • Eiken - 2A (if the score is a 2, a minimum raw score of 2150)
  • iTEP - 3.5
  • PTE (Pearsons Test for English) Academic - 45
  • Michigan English Test (MET) - B2
  • Cambridge English Language Assessment - B2
  • GTEC CBT - 1051

   

  3. STANDARDIZED ADMISSION TESTS

  The SAT or ACT is NOT required for admission to Orange Coast College but may be used to meet the English proficiency requirement:

  • SAT - 480 Evidence-based  Reading and Writing
  • ACT - 18 Writing

   

  4. INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM*

  Students can satisfy OCC's English proficiency requirement by attaining the minimum level in one of the programs with which OCC has a partnership agreement.

  • IEC at OCC, OCC's Intensive English Program: Advanced B
  • American English Language School (AELS): Level 5
  • American Language Institute Cal State Long Beach: Level 4
  • AOI College of Languages: Level 6
  • Coastline Community College: Level 4A (Grammar, Read, & Write) and 4 (Listening/Speaking Skills)
  • Education First (EF): Level B2-2
  • ELS Language Centers: Level 109
  • FLS International: Level 14
  • HELP (Hawai'i English Language Program): 400 Level 
  • IEC@OCC: Advanced B
  • Kaplan International: Advanced
  • Language Systems Institute: Level 6 and a recommendation letter
  • LASC: EAP (English of Academic Purposes)
  • Poly Language Institute: Level 6 and a recommendation letter
  • UCI Extension – Irvine English and Certificate Programs: Level 5

  *Notes:

  • All submitted English language test results and language school levels are subject to verification and approval by the Global Engagement Center.
  • Changes to English proficiency requirements, including discontinuing partnerships with intensive English programs, may occur without prior notice.
  • Students who do not meet the English proficiency requirement, may apply for conditional admission. 

   
• 6. IMMIGRATION RELATED DOCUMENTS
  Initial Applicant - students who are currently residing in their home country

  1. Copy of the biographical data page of your passport

   

  Transfer Applicant - students who are currently studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.

  1. Copy of the biographical data page of your passport, F-1 visa, and most recent I-94 document
  2. Copy of all pages of all the I-20's you have from all schools you have attended in the U.S.
     
  3. Copy of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (if applicable)
     
  4. Status Evaluation Form (PDF), completed by your current school DSO. This form is to verify whether your F1 status is active or not. We will not contact your current school to request for your SEVIS Records until you are fully admitted to Orange Coast College. 

   

  Spouse and Child(ren) - F-2 Visa

  Your dependents, i.e legal spouse and an unmarried minor child(ren) under age 21, can accompany you (the primary visa holder) to the U.S. with their F-2 visa. To request their F-2 I-20 forms, please email the following documents to occinternational@cccd.edu along with your application packet:

  1. Copy of the biographic data page of their passports
  2. Marriage certificate and child birth certificate
  3. Proof of financial support: you must add a minimum of $6,000 per dependent to the Total Cost of Attendance.
• 7. Things to Consider Before Applying
  Class Registration

  International students must enroll in full time coursework, a minimum of 12 semester units for the Fall and Spring semester and a minimum of 6 units, if the starting term is the summer semester. Part time enrollment is only available through concurrent enrollment, for international students holding an F-1 visa and an active SEVIS record from another institution in the U.S. 

  Student Housing

  Orange Coast College offers both on campus and off-campus student housing options.

  The Harbour at OCC, OCC's on campus housing provider offers housing on a first come-first serve basis and it is recommended students apply months before the admission deadline to provide an optimal opportunity to secure a space. 

  Scholarships and Aid

  Orange Coast College does not offer financial aid or scholarships for new incoming international students. International students are expected to demonstrate proof of available funds to cover the first year of attendance. 

  International students may obtain on campus employment and on a part-time basis only. 

  Report Date 

  The "Report Date" is the crucial date specified on your Form I-20, indicating the mandatory arrival date in the United States. Per U.S. immigration regulations, students are permitted to arrive up to 30 days before the report date. After arrival, you are required to remain within the local area to facilitate enrollment preparation and attendance at the orientation. Exceptions are rarely made.  

  Mandatory Orientation

  The "Mandatory Orientation" is a program designed for incoming international students to familiarize themselves with the OCC campus. Attendance is compulsory for all new international students, providing essential insights to seamlessly integrate into the campus community. Exceptions to defer orientation are rarely made and will impact a student's ability to register for classes. 

  Transferring of Credit from Previous College-Level Coursework

  Orange Coast College welcomes transfer credit from previous college coursework or advance standing credit for AP or IB. The OCC enrollment center has the latest information on transfer credit policies. 

  Deferring Start

  We understand that plans may change after you have been admitted. OCC welcomes students to defer start to a future semester. To put a request, email your name, student ID, and indicate the semester you wish to enroll in to occinternational@cccd.edu. 

  U.S. Citizens Living Overseas

  While you might be an applicant who has never lived in the U.S., you must apply through the Enrollment Center if you hold a U.S. passport, you must apply through the OCC Enrollment Center. 

Step 2: Follow Up Email

Step 3: Getting Accepted