New Student Checklist SPRING 2022

1. Check your email!  Your acceptance email includes your login details and the temporary password to activate your MyCoast account.  
2. Log in to start using your OCC student email immediately so you don't miss any important updates.  Having issues with MyCoast? Contact OCC Technical Support.

Spring 2022 classes will be returning to mostly IN-PERSON instruction. However, for everyone's safety, most in-person classes will begin online from January 31st to February 14th.  In-person classes will return to campus on February 15th.  Check for updates on the OCC COVID-19 Updates webpage. 

All students with a spring 2022 I-20 should plan to travel to the U.S. before courses begin on January 31st to avoid issues at the port of entry.

The I-20 form is required to obtain your visa and enter the US!  You MUST follow these simple steps to request your I-20 form:

1. Set up your MyCoast account and Student Email IMMEDIATELY - find your log in information in your acceptance email.

2. Send an email from your OCC student email to occinternational@cccd.edu to request your I-20 (ex: My name is Pete the Pirate and my student ID is C01234567, please send me an I-20 for Spring 2022).  We will email your I-20 to your OCC student email.

3. Sign your I-20 when you receive it. If you're under 18 years of age, your parents should sign for you.

4. If your plans change and you want to defer your I-20 and/or attendance to Summer or Fall 2022, please send an email from your OCC student email to occinternational@cccd.edu to request a deferred I-20 (ex: My name is Pete the Pirate, my student ID is C01234567. I want to defer my I-20 to fall 2022, please.)

Spring 2022 classes will be returning to mostly IN-PERSON instruction for spring 2022. All students should plan to travel to the U.S. before courses begin on January 31st.

​However, due to COVID-19, it's possible you may not be able to travel to the U.S. before the start of the spring session. Please complete the Admitted Student Plan and an adviser will follow up with you with more guidance.

Read our answers to COVID-19 most frequently asked questions and carefully rreview the information under #3 Arrange Travel for details about travel requirements, negative COVID-19 Testing requirements, and travel vaccination mandates.

U.S. embassies are slowly beginning to reopen for visa appointments. Check if your  U.S. Consulate or Embassy has reopened. Once you schedule your appointment and/or receive your visa, please notify the Global Engagement Center.

Review the Apply for an F-1 Visa: Helpful Tips website for more information to prepare for obtaining your visa.

Register here for a mandatory F-1 Webinar and an optional Visa Info Webinar.

OCC's School code is: LOS 214F 0118 6000

If you are currently attending another school in the U.S. with F-1 status & an I-20, submit a copy of your OCC acceptance letter to your previous school and ask the international advisor to release your SEVIS record to OCC.

You will receive your OCC I-20 3-4 weeks after the semester begins.

​Traveling outside of the U.S. before the start of the term

Travel is not recommended at this time.  However, if you travel, you must have an OCC I-20 to re-enter the U.S.  Please complete the Admitted Student Plan to obtain your I-20.

If your visa is expired, you need to renew your visa. See Visa Application Information page for instructions.

​Purchase your MANDATORY Health Insurance through JCB insurance Solutions as soon as you receive your F-1 visa. Transfer students MUST purchase health insurance before enrolling in classes.

1. Go to JCB insurance Solutions website
2. Choose Orange Coast College
3. Choose the current year and International Student from the drop-down menu, and click go. 
4. Click on “Start Here”
5. Proceed to select the appropriate term and enter your information to pay.

Register for and attend the mandatory 'Maintaining F-1 status' Webinar. There are multiple dates available. This is an ONLINE webinar, you do not need to come to OCC campus.

If you do not attend one, there will be a hold placed on your MyCoast account.

Register Now!

Spring 2022 registration begins on October 26th.  Most classes will be taught IN-PERSON.

Log into your MyCoast account to see your registration appointment and to choose classes. After you have successfully registered for classes, please schedule an appointment with an Academic Counselor to go over your education plan. See 3. GET READY FOR CLASSES for more information.

Important Reminders:

• Complete the Math Self-Report.

• We recommend you pick mostly general education courses for your first term. Use the Course Selection Guide (PDF) to help you choose your classes.

• Watch the Course Registration Video for step-by-step instructions for choosing classes on MyCoast.

Enrollment Requirements for F-1 status:

• F-1 Students MUST complete a minimum 12 units during Fall and Spring to maintain status.  
• No more than 3 units out of the total 12 may be online. *exception during COVID-19 online instruction  
• Waitlisted classes do NOT count as enrollment.  

Classes fill up quickly, so register RIGHT AWAY!  

After you register for classes, finalize your schedule with an Academic Counselor.   You must be registered in classes BEFORE seeing a counselor.

​Students coming from High School (first-time college students)

Attend New International Student Group Counseling. Choose the date and time that works best for you (all times listed in California PST time zone - use a  time converter to find your local time for each workshop) and click on the link to register.

*Check back soon for more dates/time & registration.

Students with prior college experience

If you have taken any college courses in the U.S. or outside the U.S., you must  schedule an individual one-hour appointment with an Academic Counselor.

After you register for classes on your MyCoast, pay tuition and fees within 48 hours to avoid being dropped from any classes. To view payment deadlines, review the Non-Payment Drop Policy.

How to pay tuition and fees:

• MyCoast with Visa or MasterCard
• Wire funds from a bank account in your home country through Flywire by PeerTransfer – include your OCC Student ID with your payment. Failure to include ID may delay payment application. You should also email occinternational@cccd.edu to notify you have made a wire payment.
• U.S. bank to bank transfer - contact the Global Engagement Center for instructions, occinternational@cccd.edu

Since Spring 2022 classes will be mostly in-person, all new students should plan to travel to the U.S.  Before you travel, review the CDC International Travel during Covid-19 page for most up-to-date travel information.  

Please note, as of January 26th, all airline travelers to the U.S. will be asked to provide recent proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19.  Review the CDC's negative COVID-19 testing requirements prior to travel to the U.S.

Additionally, as of November 8, 2021, the most recent Presidential Proclamation will require all adult travelers show proof of full vaccination prior to travel to the U.S.. 

There are limited exceptions to this federal vaccine mandate including for those in countries with limited vaccine availability and for those who are under the age of 18. Read details about exceptions and prepare an Excepted Covered Individual Attestation if applicable.

We also recommend you refer to the COVID-19 FAQ for details and updates.

OCC On-campus Housing at the Harbour is now open! Visit the student housing page for information and application. 

If you prefer to search for off-campus housing or homestay, you can find plenty of resources on our Housing & Homestay webpage.

Once you arrive in the U.S., submit the New Student Check-In Form online.​ 

You must complete F-1 check-in within 10 days AFTER arriving in the U.S. or transferring from another school.  

You'll need:

• OCC I-20
• Passport
• F-1 visa
• I-94
• Current U.S. address (even if temporary)

​All new students should attend Navigate OCC.

At Navigate OCC, you will learn about the OCC campus, resources and services we provide, and important F-1 regulations. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other new students and make new friends, both international and American! You will receive an email with additional details soon.

Learn more about Navigate OCC