New Student Information

Congratulations on your admission to MiraCosta College!

Applying for a Student Visa?

Once you have received a SEVIS I-20 Form from MiraCosta College, 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 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. See sample below.
Prepare yourself before your F-1 visa interview by reviewing the "10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa".

Make Flight Arrangement

The closet international airport to MiraCosta College is San Diego International Airport (SAN). There is a local airport in Carlsbad called McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) that is even closer to Oceanside but this is not an international airport so you will need to take a connection flight from an international airport to fly into the airport. You can also fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and take a Flyaway Bus from LAX to LA Union Station then take another bus to Oceanside or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to arrive in Oceanside. Uber and Lyft are popular means of transportation from San Diego or Carlsbad Airport to your final destination.

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 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.

What to Pack

Appropriate clothing. (See Weather in Oceanside)
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.
Money. 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. 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 online registration form. 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 six pre-arrival tasks 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.
New Arrival Process for International Students
Foreign visitors arriving in the U.S.—only via air or sea—who need to prove their legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies—will be able to access their U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrival/departure record information online when the agency starts its records automation on April 30, 2013. With the new CBP process, a CBP officer will stamp the travel document of each arriving non-immigrant traveler. The admission stamp will show the date of admission, class of admission, and the date that the traveler is admitted until. Travelers will also receive on arrival a flier alerting them to go to CBP.gov/I94 for their admission record information.

Reporting to MiraCosta College

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 you arrive in the United States. The International Office is located in room 3443 inside Student Center Building 3400. See directions to MiraCosta College and the campus maps. Please bring your passport, Form 1-20, I-94 and local address when you visit the International Office.
You can also report your arrival by completing a "New Student Arrival Form" online.