Fall Required Steps to Enrollment

Check your admission email for your MyGWC Username and instructions for temporary password.

MyGWC temporary password is the capital letter of your first name, lowercase letter of your last name, date-of-birth in MMDDYY format, and CCCD at the end.
Example: John Smith was born on February 1, 2007 would be entered as Js020107CCCD. 

When you set up your MyGWC account, you will be required to select your Multifactor Authentication (MFA) preference.

We highly recommend selecting one of the apps below instead of using a phone number.

MS Authenticator App

Google Authenticator App

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.

If you are a transfer student with an I-20 from another U.S. institution (high school, language school, college, etc), follow these steps to transfer your SEVIS record to GWC.

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 

Insurance is provided by Compass Student Insurance through Cigna Global. Students can purchase their insurance by going to this link here.

The deadline to purchase your insurance is July 10, 2025.

Failure to enroll in the insurance by the deadline will result in a hold on your MyGWC account and you will be dropped from your classes. 

You must purchase GWC’s approved International Student Insurance. 

Purchasing this insurance is mandatory. No other insurance plans are accepted.
You will be dropped from your courses if you do not purchase the health insurance before the semester start date.

Following your first semester, it is your responsibility to renew and purchase this health insurance prior to the coverage expiration date. You will be dropped from all of your courses for future semesters if you do not purchase the health insurance prior to the coverage expiration.

The academic counselor will help you make an educational plan and register for courses. Contact the ISP office to schedule an appointment: isp@gwc.cccd.edu or call 714-895-8146.

Counseling appointments are offered in-person and on zoom. We recommend you to meet the counselor as early as possible after the registration opens in late October for the Spring semester.

You must purchase the health insurance before seeing the academic counselor. 

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

Class registration for Fall semester opens early May.

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 August 18, 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, July 12, 2025
• Arrive as early as possible before your Program Start Date of August 11, 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 than the dates listed above.. Please be sure to check back for updated dates.

Visit our website for housing resources. Many of our students choose to start with a homestay program.

At this time, Golden West College does not have an on-campus housing.

• 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!
• Deadline to complete the form: August 11, 2025

The form will be available starting in July 2025.

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