Steps for Enrolling at IEC@OCC

IEC application and required documents:

• IEC@OCC application  (or submit PDF version)
• Pay the $100 non-refundable IEC@OCC application fee online.
• Copy of passport 
• Minor Authorization form (for all applicants under 18 years old)
• Proof of financial support: bank statement in available funds, translated into English and dated within the last 5 months.
  • If you do not plan to transfer after completing IEC@OCC, you will need to submit a bank statement equivalent to $6,800 for one session (8 weeks) at IEC@OCC.
  • If you plan to transfer to Orange Coast College’s (OCC) credit program after completing IEC@OCC, you will need to submit a bank statement equivalent to $27,300.

*Proof of financial support requirement:

To obtain the F-1 I-20 document, F-1 federal regulations require that the applicant provide proof of financial support in a liquid fund (typically a checking or savings account.)

A statement letter from a bank would be sufficient, so long as it displays the following information:

• Account holder name
• Account type
• The necessary amount 
• Date (must be no more than 5 months old)

Transfer students: who are currently in the U.S. under a student (F-1) visa and attending another school, will also need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of student visa
• Copy of all pages of all I-20s
• Copy of I-94 
• F-1 Transfer Evaluation Form

*Please note the F-1 Transfer Evaluation Form should be completed by the international student adviser of the school the student is currently attending. The form is to verify a student's dates of attendance and if the student is eligible to transfer to IEC, it does not ask to transfer the student's SEVIS record. 

The F-1 Transfer Evaluation Form is part of the IEC admission requirements for transfer students. We will not issue an IEC acceptance letter until receiving the completed F-1 Transfer Evaluation Form.

Send the IEC application, required documents, and proof of IEC application fee payment to the following email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

OCC Conditional Admission: Click here to learn more about the process for applying for OCC conditional acceptance.

Processing time: IEC@OCC staff will review your application upon receipt and notify you of the application status and issue the IEC@OCC I-20 (if accepted) within 7-10 business days.

Deadline to apply:

• New students (currently overseas, and need to apply for an F-1 student visa): estimate 2-3 months before the session starts.
• Transfer students (who already had an F-1 student visa, and attending another school in the U.S.): can apply until a week before the session starts.

• After you submit your IEC@OCC application, staff will process it and send you an invitation to take the IEC@OCC placement test.
• How does the placement test work?
  • The placement test takes place over Zoom.
  • There are 4 parts to the test:
    • Writing
    • Listening
    • Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading
    • And Speaking
  • The test will take approximately 1.5-2 hours.
• How should I prepare?
  • Please download Zoom on your computer and practice using it before the test to make sure there are no technical issues.
  • Please download the Flipgrid app for the speaking portion of the test.
  • Plan to take the test in a location with a strong internet connection.
• Why should I take it early?
  • Taking the test early will allow us to ensure that your class and level will be available for you.
• For questions about the placement test, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

IEC@OCC staff will review your application and issue an acceptance letter and I-20.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has authorized schools to send an electronically signed I-20 PDF to students’ email accounts. We no longer issue paper I-20s.

After receiving your IEC@OCC I-20, check your information to make sure everything is correct. 

• Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee immediately after receiving the I-20 form. Print the receipt, you will need to bring it with you to your visa interview.
• 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
•  Review the Apply for an F-1 Visa: Helpful Tips website for more information to prepare for obtaining your visa.

Notify IEC@OCC about your visa status

Notify us if your visa is approved. If you decide to change your study plans and not attend IEC@OCC, please notify us so we can take appropriate action with your I-20 form and SEVIS record.

Arrange Travel

Plan your travel to the U.S. and find housing.

The earliest day you can enter the U.S. is the “Earliest Admission Date” indicated on the first page of your IEC I-20.

• Do not book your flight if you have not received your F-1 student visa.
• Do not plan to enter the U.S. earlier than the “Earliest Admission Date” indicated on the first page of your IEC I-20. You can enter after that day, but not before. You may be denied entry to the U.S. at the point of entry if you travel sooner than the “Earliest Admission Date.” 

Find Housing

Students will need to arrange their own housing. Below are some resources: 

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.

*IEC@OCC students can apply to stay at on-campus housing, The Harbour, if they will attend Orange Coast College (OCC) after finishing at IEC@OCC. Students will need to stay at least an academic year to apply to stay at The Harbour.

Insurance

• All F-1 visa international students must purchase medical insurance from OCC each session. Medical insurance is added to the cost of tuition and must be paid within the first week of the session. 
• Insurance waivers are available for students with an F-1 visa studying on a scholarship from their home country, including medical insurance. For more information, visit the OCC Student Health Center Website.
• Please visit the IEC@OCC insurance brochure for the insurance coverage details.
• Insurance should be purchased as soon as you receive your F-1 visa and before entering the U.S. Transfer students MUST purchase health insurance before enrolling in classes.

IEC tuition fee

• Download:
  • 2024 Tuition Payment Form & Instructions
  • 2025 Tuition Payment Form & Instructions
• You can pay the IEC tuition fee online or via wire transfer.
• Deadline to pay: the first Thursday when the session starts.

• Check-in with the Global Engagement Center after arriving in the U.S.
• Email the F-1 documents (copy of student visa, I-94, passport) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Students will learn about:
  • Class schedule
  • Activities and workshops
  • Important apps and websites (Discord, Canvas)
  • Attendance
  • Medical Insurance
• Review regulations to maintain status in the U.S.
• Check orientation dates

• Location: Legacy Hall 
  • Downloadable OCC Campus Map
  • Interactive Virtual Map
• View Class Schedule here.