Welcome to Orange Coast College!   We say, "We'll help you get there" but how do you get started?    Follow these steps in this order:

1. APPLY FOR ADMISSION & FINANCIAL AID - Apply for admission and financial aid (if you need financial assistance). Applications for both are available online.

2. CHECK YOUR EMAIL-for information about placement testing and orientation. You should receive an email immediately after you submit your admissions application.  Make sure you don't have a spam filter that filters out our email! If the email you received indicated that you need to complete placement testing and/or orientation, do the following BEFORE registration:

a. PLACEMENT TESTING-Call the Assessment Center at (714) 432-5789 to schedule your placement tests. Make sure you bring a pencil and some form of photo identification with you when you go for the test. If you have transcripts from another accredited college and/or test scores from another California Community College , send them to us ASAP.  If you've successfully completed math and English at another accredited college, you won't need to take the placement tests-send your transcripts to OCC instead.

b. ORIENTATION-Call the Counseling Office at (714) 432-5078 to schedule an orientation. Make sure you bring your placement tests scores with you because you’ll meet with a counselor during the orientation to discuss what classes you need to register for. Also, bring something to write with and arrive at least 15 minutes early!

3. CHECK YOUR EMAIL AGAINafter you submit your application fo updates. You will receive an appointment to register via mail if you're applying early. If you have a hold on your records or have been classified as a non-resident, you will be notified by email.

4. REGISTER FOR CLASSES-Call the touch-tone telephone to register for classes on or after your appointment time. Before you call, check the class schedule and write down the name of the course and the section number of course you want to register for. Also, please note that open registration takes place through the Saturday before the class begins for classes beginning at the start of the semester. Open registration for classes that begin during the semester is through the Thursday prior to the start of the class.  After that, you must attend the first class meeting to see if you can obtain an ADD PERMIT from the instructor!

a. CLOSED CLASSES/CLASSES REQUIRING AN IPC CODE-If the class you’d like to register for is closed, you can continue to call the touch-tone telephone system up through the Saturday before the class begins  for 16 week and 1 ^st 8 week classes. As of the day the class begins, the touch-tone system will ask for an Instructor Permission Code (IPC) regardless of the enrollment in the class.   If the class is closed OR requires an instructor permission code, you can attend the first class meeting and ask the instructor for an ADD PERMIT with an Instructor Permission Code (IPC). If the instructor gives you an add permit, follow the instructions on the permit to register.

5. PAY FEES EVEN IF YOU HAVE FINANCIAL AID-Pay your fees within 48 hours of registering for classes so you don’t get dropped!   If you receive financial aid, you still need to make sure that your fee balance (the one you hear on the phone-press 9 on touch-tone) is paid within 48 hours or you will be dropped. If you have questions about the fees, please visit the fee information page .

6. LOOK FOR YOUR PROGRAM RECEIPT -Once you register, check the mail for your program receipt (list of classes). Once you’ve paid your fees one will be mailed to you (also emailed to you if we have your email address on file).   Check the program receipt to make sure it’s accurate! This is the time to make sure you were registered in the correct course.

7. BUY YOUR BOOKS- Bring your program receipt with you to the bookstore to help you find the books you’ll need or go online to reserve your books .

8. STUDENT PHOTO ID-Get your student photo identification card .   Bring your program receipt and another form of photo identification to the Registration Office (during normal business hours). We’ll take your picture and give you the student ID on the spot!

9. ATTEND CLASS-Go to class! If you miss the first day of class, your seat may be given away to another student. If you enrolled in an online class, log in to the OCC Online Central the first day of the semester!!! If you don’t log on during the first week of class you might be dropped and could potentially lose the ability to receive a refund!

10. PARKING DECAL-If you purchased a parking decal, make sure you have it displayed on your vehicle by the end of the second week of the semester. Campus Safety starts ticketing the Monday of the 3 ^rd week (2nd week for the summer term)!

11. READ DEADLINES-You should have received a “deadlines and dates to remember” sheet attached to your program receipt. If not, check the website for deadlines . It’s your responsibility to make sure you meet deadlines for refunds, withdrawals, and credit/no credit options so don’t wait!

Bottom line, CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND CHECK IT OFTEN! If all else fails, just ask!
(714) 432-5072 Monday-Thursday 9:00 am to 6:30 pm and Friday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.