Documents You'll Need

Planning for your Study Abroad (SA) Program

Faculty-led vs Provider Company-led
OCC Faculty-led Program
- If you want to join an OCC faculty-led study abroad program and/or you are not an OCC student yet, please complete the OCC application for the summer semester. F1 visa or other immigration status, let the study abroad advisor know.
Provider Company-led Program
- Make sure to inquire about deadlines and requirements.
- It may be helpful to review the OCC SA planning list for general planning ideas and questions to ask though not everything will apply to your situation.
Passport and Visa
Apply as a U.S. Citizen
- Passport: you will need to if you do not already have one. Keep an eye on the . Make sure your passport will be valid for the length of your program and 6 months beyond that for a problem-free reentry to the U.S.
- Visa: the OCC faculty-led study abroad programs generally do not require a visa if you are a U.S. citizen.
Apply as an F-1 Student, L2, H4, O, etc. or are a DACA student
- Passport: you should email the study abroad advisor copies of your most recent visa and I-94 or other document so we can advise you properly about your specific situation.
- Visa: please email the study abroad advisor copies of your most recent visa, & I-94, I-20 and the program country & length of your program so we can advise you properly about your specific situation.
Provider-led study abroad companies should be able to advise you about any needed visas for their programs.
Enrollment

The Study Abroad Advisor will enroll you in the classes for your study abroad program after the list is submitted from your instructor. You will receive an email confirmation and request to pay your fees. Please pay promptly so that you are not dropped for non-payment by the system.

If you have questions about which level language class or any optional classes you should select, please ask your instructor.
Program Agreement
Medical Insurance
Transfer Credit
OCC Faculty-led Program
- All OCC faculty-led study abroad classes are designed around general education classes. The classes will transfer to UC/CSU's the same as if you took them at OCC on-campus in Costa Mesa, CA.
- You will receive an OCC transcript with your classes on it.
Provider Company-led Program
- It is important to know which institution will be issuing the transcript for your study abroad coursework. This is critical to know so you can investigate if your college or transfer university will accept your credits. You can investigate this with the graduation office at OCC and also at the university to which you plan to transfer.
- The UC/CSU's commonly do in-house evaluation of foreign/out-of-state transcripts, and they may be able to accept more transfer credits than the California Community Colleges.
Make a Budget

How to Fund Your Study Abroad

OCC Study Abroad Scholarship

The OCC Study Abroad Scholarships are available to students who will be participating in one of OCC’s Faculty Led Summer Study Abroad Programs. Awardees will be notified by email and will also be celebrated at OCC Honors Night. The scholarship funds are disbursed after it has been ascertained that students have paid the program fees in full. Students may apply after they have completed an application for the OCC summer study abroad program of their choice. Application coming soon!
Gilman Scholarship Application Workshop

The   offers up to $5,000 towards study abroad programs for Pell Grant eligible students. This scholarship also provides students with   for jobs with the U.S. Federal Government! OCC students consistently are awarded this scholarship. OCC was named a  in 2018. Read the   . Don't let this one pass you by!

The Gilman application also requires a follow on service project.    on the program , application process and tips on writing competitive essays.

Watch the video of the last Gilman Workshop:

The    offers up to $5000.00 towards study abroad programs for dependents of active Military service members who are receiving federal financial aid. If you qualify for this, you may still apply for the Gilman scholarship also, but you can only receive one or the other.

- There are additional Gilman scholarships available through partnerships to France, New Zealand, Wales, & Portugal!

Scholarships

Gilman Scholarship
Diversity Abroad Scholarship
Boren Scholarship
CIEE Scholarship
Frederick Douglass Global Fellow Scholarship
Freeman-Asia Scholarships
Fund for Education Abroad
GoAbroad
Phi Theta Kappa
Rotary Club Scholarships
Rainbow Scholarship Fund
Tortuga Scholarship
StudyAbroad.com List of Scholarships
Make Your Mark Scholarship
Zonta Scholarships for Women

Check out the official scholarship website for more information on the program, application process, and tips on writing competitive essays. OCC has Gilman Scholarship workshops each year to help support you.

Pell Grant eligible students: The offers up to $5,000 towards study abroad programs for Pell Grant eligible students. This scholarship also provides students with for jobs with the U.S. Federal Government! OCC students consistently are awarded this scholarship and OCC was named a by Gilman in 2018. Read the . There's two application periods per year. Don't let this one pass you by!

Dependents of active military service members: the offers up to $5,000 towards study abroad programs for dependents of active military service members who are receiving federal financial aid. If you qualify for this, you may still apply for the Gilman Scholarship, as well.

- There are more scholarships available through partnerships to France, New Zealand, Wales, & Portugal!

is committed to fostering and supporting a diverse student body. Their Diversity Scholarships support and encourage students from under-represented populations on an IES Abroad study abroad program. Under-represented students include students from under-represented racial and ethnic groups, first generation to college students, students from low income families and students with a history of overcoming adversity.

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. For more information visit

CIEE offers including a guaranteed Minority Serving Institution (MSI) grant. OCC is a MSI!

(Fully funded, Dublin Ireland). The Fellows will be based in Dublin and travel around the country where Douglass campaigned against slavery and oppression in 1845. Co-sponsored by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Fellows will have the opportunity to meet Irish government representatives, as well as the leaders of organizations who support social justice and the advancement of diverse communities in Ireland. You can watch alumni talk about their experiences with FDGF on . Eligibility Requirements: Underrepresented (in study abroad) ethnicity, Evidence of financial need, Minimum GPA of 3.0 Eligible applicants who are not selected still receive a $1,500 study abroad grant for use in any CIEE study abroad program!

is for undergraduate students studying abroad in the following countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. 2.8 GPA minimum. Must show verifiable need for financial assistance. Permanent Residents are eligible!

The (FEA) invests in promising students with financial need who wish to study abroad. Potential applicants who meet the eligibility requirements may participate on any international education program that meets their academic objectives. Scholarships range from $1,250 – $10,000 and can be applied for programs that run for at least 28 days.

Check out the listing of scholarships

for members of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. Consult with the OCC Honors Program Coordinator if you are not yet a member.

is for LGBTQI+ students, U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA students.

is up to $1,000 and a travel backpack. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or currently studying in the U.S. on a student visa.

is $500 for students who are U.S. citizens, residents, or DACA recipients with a 3.00 minimum GPA.

(look under educational programs).

let's go abroad!

group of students standing in front of the bamboo forest

students standing in front of the monuments

��