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Steps To Apply

Download applicationor call 760.757.2121 x6590. You may also email lcargile@miracosta.edu.

Minor Policy

ELI accepts minors into our program on a case by case basis. Our minimum age requirement is 16. Most ELI students are over 18. If you are under 18 and would like to attend ELI you must have a local guardian or parent in the area that you are staying with throughout the duration of the program. Students under 18 must also submit a guardian waiverform and receive acceptance from the director of the English Language Institute. ELI has the right to refuse acceptance to any minor student.

Steps After Your Application

After your admission to English Language and College Skills Institute, you will receive a SEVIS I-20 document necessary for you to receive an F-1 student visa.

Here Are The Steps For Applying To The F-1 Visa

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online at www.fmjfee.com. 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 Department of Homeland Security Website.

After you have obtained your receipt of SEVIS fee payment (receipt is called I-797), contact the United States Embassy located in your country to make an appointment for receiving your F-1 visa. All appointments must be made online. Please read the online appointment instructions. Prepare Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (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.

Prepare yourself before your F-1 visa interview by reviewing the "10 Pints to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa".

Housing Information

Housing is important to your happiness and comfort in the United States. MiraCosta College does not provide dormitories or college-approved housing for students. Our goal is to provide tools to help students make informed and safe choices.

MiraCosta College assumes no responsibility and has no knowledge of the condition of housing advertised or the character/reputation of housing providers.
Information furnished is for your convenience only. It is compiled from and readily available on the internet.
BEWARE There is a lot of housing fraud and you must be very careful before making any commitments. Do not pay for private housing until you arrive and visit the home. You must see all the housing space, meet all people living in the home, and understand the commitment before making any payments.

Best Housing Option For New Students Is A Homestay Service Company That Provides Easy Arrival To College

Finding A Roommate Or Room To Share

Once you arrive to MiraCosta College you can explore different private housing options. There are many online services to advertise a room or apartment. One service is maintained at a nearby university CSUSM https://csusm.och101.com/

Apartments

Example of the cost of apartments near MiraCosta College

  • Shadow Ridge Apartments
    One and two bedroom unfurnished apartments make us the ideal budget-friendly option in Oceanside. Walkable distance to MiraCosta College. Shadow Ridge Apartments is easily accessible to public transportation.
    Price range: $1600-$1900 / month
    3699 Barnard Dr
    Oceanside, CA 92056
    657.999.2368
  • Terra Oceanside
    Offers studio, one and two bedroom unfurnished apartments. One mile away from MiraCosta College. Easily accessible to public transportation.
    Price range: $1600-$1800/ month
    3964 Waring Road
    Oceanside, CA 92056
    760.758.2792
  • Piazzo D’Oro
    Two and three bedroom unfurnished apartments in Oceanside California. 1.7 miles away from MiraCosta College. Conveniently located near public transportation.
    Price Range: $2,500-$4,000/ month
    3402 Piazza De Oro Way, Ste. 110
    Oceanside, CA 92056
    760.356.8026
  • Vue Oceanside
    One to two bedroom unfurnished apartments. 1.5 miles away from MiraCosta College. Easy access to public transportation.
    Price range: $1,780- $2,040/ month
    3675 Barnard Dr
    Oceanside, CA 92056
    442.500.5318

Resources to understand housing laws in California

Money Matters

Estimated Cost Of Attendance For The First Semester At MiraCosta College
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

Student ID card is included in your student services fee. 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.

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.

What To Pack

  • 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 MiraCosta. We also offer medical insurance through our school. The cost is about $365 for 8 weeks.
  • A US credit card (Visa or Mastercard) will be useful in the U.S. You will need at least $4,000 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.

Arriving In The U.S.

After you arrive in Oceanside, the International Office would like to meet you and welcome you to the college! You should visit the International Office as soon as possible to begin class registration. The International Office is located in room 3443 inside building 3400. See directions to MiraCosta College and the campus maps. Please bring the following documents with you when you visit the International Office:

  • Passport & F-1 Visa
  • Form I-20 & I-94
  • Local Address Info

Are you Ready to Travel?

Since you are here as an international student, we want to make sure that before you travel you check the list below to confirm you have all of the required documents that will allow you to return to United States:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • Signed SEVIS I-20 (within the last 6 months)
  • I-94 card [if your I-94 card is removed when exiting the United States, you must receive a new card when re-entering U.S.]
  • All previous I-20 issued
  • Proof of medical insurance and photo identification
  • Proof of registration for current semester

If you do not have all of these documents, please make sure you contact our international office at 760.795.6897 or iip@miracosta.edu prior to leaving the United States.

More information