Spring Required Steps to Enrollment

The Form I-20 is an important document required to apply for the F-1 visa and enter the U.S.

1. Your I-20 will be emailed to your student email in your MyGWC.
2. Check all the information on your I-20.
3. Print and sign your I-20 on the signature line on the first page under "Student Attestation" section. Use blue ink to sign your I-20.
   1. If you are under 18 years old, your parents should sign for you.

1. To pay your fee, go to: www.fmjfee.com and pay with a credit card.
2. You will need to enter your SEVIS number. Your unique SEVIS number is on your Form I‐20.
3. Print the receipt (Form I-901). You will need this to apply for the visa and travel to the U.S.

1. Go to www.usembassy.gov for the embassy nearest you. Each embassy’s website has instructions and wait times for “Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa.”
2. Apply for your visa as early as possible. The earliest appointments may be made 120 days before the Program Start Date on your Form I‐20.
3. Once you book your visa interview, please notify the International Student Program: isp@gwc.cccd.edu 

Canadian or Bermudan citizens do not need to apply for a student (F-1) or dependent (F-2) visa.

They may simply enter with the following documents:

• the I-20
• proof of citizenship (i.e., passport or driver's license and birth certificate)
• admission letter
• SEVIS Fee payment receipt*
• evidence of financial support.

*Please be sure to pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 days before entering the U.S. The SEVIS fee cannot be paid at the border.

1. Transfer Your SEVIS Record. Contact the international office at your current school to request your SEVIS record transfer. (Coast Community College District– GWC LOS214F01968000)

2. Transfer I-20’s are generally issued after the semester begins. You will receive an email from the ISP when your new I‐20 is ready for you to pick up.

• If you plan to travel or are already outside the U.S. and need your new GWC I-20 to return to the U.S., email your travel dates to: isp@gwc.cccd.edu. 
• Check your visa to make sure it is valid. If your visa is expired, be sure to apply for a new F-1 visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy: www.usembassy.gov 

Meeting with the Academic Counselor is required for all newly admitted international students before the start of the semester to help students create their educational plan.

Appointments begin in October once course registration opens for the Spring 2025 semester. They are offered in-person and on zoom. We recommend you to meet the counselor as early as possible. Deadline to meet with our ISP Academic Counselor is Friday, January 24, 2025.

Contact the ISP office to schedule an appointment: isp@gwc.cccd.edu or call +1 714-895-8146.

You will register for courses through MyGWC. You must complete at least 12 units this semester.

The Academic Counselor will help you register for classes during your appointment. You can also refer to these step-by-step guides for registration through MyGWC:

• Step by Step Guide for Registration
• Step by Step Guide for Payment (U.S. Bank Accounts)
• Step by Step Guide for Payment (International Bank Accounts)
• Step by Step Guide for Dropping a Class
• How to Add a Class with an Add Code

Once you have registered for your classes, you should pay the tuition and fees. You should pay your tuition before the Orientation on January 21, 2025. 

You can pay for tuition fees online through MyGWC with a credit/debit card.

• Step by Step Guide for Payment (U.S. Bank Accounts)
• Step by Step Guide for Payment (International Bank Accounts)

We also accept following payment methods:

• Pay in-person. Visit the campus Bursar's Office located in the Student Services Center. Call in advance to make sure the office is open.
• Pay by wire (transfer from your bank to GWC's bank). Contact the ISP office for details: isp@gwc.cccd.edu 
• Payment plan through Cashnet. Cashnet is a company that will break your balance down into three payments, the first being the day you sign-up. The other two payments are spread throughout the semester. No payment plan can be set-up once the semester has started. 
  • Visit our important deadlines page for more information (scroll down to the section "Third Party Payment Plan Through Cashnet")

For detailed information on tuition and fees, visit our Tuition Information page.

• You may enter the U.S. with your I-20 and F‐1 visa as early as, but not before, December 21, 2024.
• Arrive as early as possible before your Program Start Date but no later than January 20, 2025.
• Most students choose to fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Learn more about LAX at: lawa.org/welcomeLAX.aspx.
• For Cosmetolgy students, see the Special Dates for Cosmetology Students below

Special Dates for Cosmetology Students

Cosmetology progam has earlier start dates. Please be sure to follow these dates:

• December 3, 2024: The earliest date you can enter the U.S. with your I-20 and F-1 visa
• January 2, 2025: The latest date you can enter the U.S.
• January 3-10, 2025: One-on-one mandatory orientation will be scheduled during this week
• January 13, 2025: First day of classes

Visit our website for housing resources. At this time, Golden West College does not have an on-campus housing. Many of our students choose to start with a homestay program.

• This is only required if you are in the U.S.
• After you arrive in the U.S., you must complete this form to satisfy the F-1 immigration reporting requirements
• Don't complete this form if you haven't arrived in the U.S. yet!

• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your visa
• Copy of your Entry Stamp (in your passport)
• Copy of your I-94