Congratulations on your admission to ºÚÁÏÍø!
Step 1 - SEVIS I-20/F-1 Visa Application
- Complete Intent to Enroll Form and receive SEVIS I-20 from ºÚÁÏÍø
- Apply for a Student Visa
- Review Mandatory New Student Orientation Information & Pre-arrival Guide
Step 2 - Pre-departure Guide
- Complete Online Registration Form
- Complete Pre-Arrival Tasks in Canvas
- Scholarships for new students
- Housing Information
- Find Temporary Housing
- Make Flight Arrangement
- Health and Safety Information
- Money Matters
- What to Pack
- Arrival in the U.S.
- How to Print Your I-94 Card
Step 3 - Class Registration Guide
Applying for a Student Visa?
Once you have received a SEVIS I-20 Form from ºÚÁÏÍø, you can begin the student visa application process. Download the F-1 visa application guide.
Here are the steps for applying to the F-1 visa:
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online at . The fee is called a SEVIS I-901 Fee and is collected by the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS). The fee can be paid by mail or online. The fee can be paid by the
student or by someone else (family member or friend) inside or outside the US. For
more information on how to pay the SEVIS Fee, please visit the .
- After you have obtained your receipt of SEVIS fee payment (receipt is called I-797), contact the located in your country to make an appointment for receiving your F-1 visa. All appointments must be made online. Please read the Prepare (DS-160).
- Take the SEVIS I-901 payment receipt, entire I-20 and original documents showing proof of financial support to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you made the visa appointment for.
- You can visit the Bureu of Consular Affairs for approximate wait times by embassy
location. If approved, the visa will be placed in your passport. See sample below.
- Prepare yourself before your F-1 visa interview by reviewing the ".
Make Flight Arrangement
When planning your arrival at ºÚÁÏÍø, we recommend flying into one of the following airports:
Closest International Airport
This is the most convenient international airport near ºÚÁÏÍø and is located
approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of Oceanside. From SAN, you can easily reach
Oceanside by shuttle, Uber, Lyft, or train (Coaster or Amtrak).
Regional Airport
— Carlsbad, CA
This airport is only about 10 miles (16 km) from Oceanside. However, it is not an
international airport, so you would need to transfer from another major airport to
fly into CLD. Limited domestic flights are available.
Other Major Airport Option
Located about 90 miles (145 km) north of Oceanside, LAX offers many international
flights. Travel from LAX to Oceanside is possible via:
- to Los Angeles Union Station, followed by train to Oceanside, or bus service to Oceanside.
- Shuttle services, such as , offer direct transportation to Oceanside from LAX.
Local Transportation Options
Once you arrive at either SAN or CLD, Uber and Lyft are commonly used for transportation
to your final destination in Oceanside.
Money Matters
Estimated Cost of Attendance for the first semester at ºÚÁÏÍø
Find the latest Estimated fees and cost of attendance on our website.
* Fees are subject to change without prior notification.
**Optional Fees
- Parking: All vehicles parking on campus are required to display a valid parking permit: four-wheeled vehicles--$35 per semester (during the summer session, it is $17.50); it is full price for a second permit. Exception: vehicles displaying a valid California disabled placard are not required to purchase a parking permit.
- Student ID card is $6. The student ID card supports a variety of college services such as using computer and language labs, and writing checks in the college bookstore. A valid student ID card serves as the MCC library card, expediting access to the library circulating collection and academic reserve collections. Students without a valid MCC student ID card will be asked to provide proof of current semester registration along with a government-issued photo ID and proof of current address. ID cardholders also receive discounts at various North County businesses such as movie theatres. ID cards and replacements are issued at the Student Activities Office on both campuses.
Please note:
- Tuition and fees must be paid at the time of registration during the new student orientation.
- Students can pay tuition and fees using U.S. dollars, Master or Visa cards.
- The transportation estimated cost above does not include the cost purchasing a car.
- Living expenses varies based on housing option. Prepare a minimum of $1,000 cash for initial cost.
Banking Resource
- Provides checking, savings and credit cards for new arrivals
- Get approved for a US account from home, and spend when you arrive
- No SSN required to sign up
- No monthly fees, no minimum balance
What to Pack
- Appropriate clothing. (See )
- Carry your passport, I-20, money and all official documents in your carry-on luggage.
- If you have medical insurance valid in the U.S., bring proof of coverage in English. You must have insurance while attending ºÚÁÏÍø.
- Money. A US credit card (Visa or Mastercard) will be useful in the U.S. You will need at least $5,000 USD for the initial expenses including tuition and housing fees.
- Cultural items. You may consider bringing traditional clothing or other small unbreakable items that help you share your culture with others. Many students enjoy wearing traditional clothing for special occasions such as the annual "International College Hour."
- Please note US electrical current is AC110. It may be better to buy small electrical appliances in the US if yours operate on direct current.
Complete Online Registration Form
- As a new student, you are required to complete the . This is the first step towards your class registration. When completing the online registration form, you can leave the Social Security Number field blank if you don't have the number. If you currently do not have an address in the U.S., you can use your address in your home country. Once your online registration form is submitted and processed by the college, you will receive a student ID number for you to log in to the online registration system. After taking the placement tests and meeting with the academic counselor, you will be ready to register for your first semester classes!
Complete Pre-Arrival Tasks in Canvas
- Make sure to complete the in Canvas International Student Class. You will need your SURF ID to access to Canvas. You must complete the tasks no later than the International Student Welcome Day.
Arriving in the U.S.
Important information regarding your arrival in the U.S.
U.S. Entry Process
If you are arriving in the United States by air or sea, you will not receive a paper
I-94 form. Instead, you can access your official I-94 arrival/departure record online
through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This record serves as proof of your
legal entry and is often required by schools, employers, or government agencies.
Please download and save a copy of your electronic I-94 record shortly after entering the U.S. Click the button below and select "Get Most Recent I-94".
Reporting to ºÚÁÏÍø
Once you arrive in Oceanside, please visit the International Office as soon as possible so we can welcome you in person!
Location: Building 14, Room 14161, inside the Student Center
View campus maps and directions to ºÚÁÏÍø
Please bring the following items with you:
- Your passport
- Your Form I-20
- Your I-94 (printed from the CBP website)
- Your local U.S. address
In addition, you are required to complete the online to officially report your arrival.
We’re excited to welcome you to ºÚÁÏÍø and are here to support you every step of the way!