Commonly Asked Questions

• You may go back to your home country and still maintain your status. If you continue to attend your online classes and make normal progress towards your degree in your home country - you will remain in “active” status with immigration.  This means enrolling and completing 12 units.  You MUST complete the TRAVEL REQUEST FORM online to let us know you have exited the U.S. so we will be able to contact you with travel signature information.

You are able to take classes from your home country, however, there are significant risks to taking classes online:

1. Canvas and My ECC: Canvas and My ECC may not be accessible outside of the U.S. If you cannot access Canvas, then you may miss assignments, tests and other homework. Without MyECC, you cannot make any registration changes or access your student email.  We recommend looking into a separate VPN access to ensure access.
2. Time Zones: Keep in mind that all classes are taught in Pacific Standard Time (PST). You may be required to wake up very early, or stay awake very late, in order to complete your class.
3. Classes may return to campus: If the COVID-19 “Safer at Home” order is lifted, all classes may return to campus.
4. Expiring Visas: We do not know if (or when) the U.S. Embassies will reopen and become fully functioning. Therefore, you may not receive a new visa in time to re-enter the U.S. to resume classes on campus.
5. Textbooks:  You may not have access to textbooks for the class.  We recommend to see if an electronic option exists to through https://redshelf.com/.  At this moment, the Bookstore is not mailing textbooks overseas.  We are looking at options to deliver, however, you may need to purchase through a 3rd party if it is unavailable via the Bookstore.  Students are responsible for all textbooks and class materials.

• If you do not want to continue to attend your classes online and you want to return home, you will need to drop your classes using your MyECC account and fill out the END OF PROGRAM FORM online. Your I-20 will be terminated and will no longer be valid for reentry to the U.S. If you decide later that you want to return to El Camino to finish your program, please contact the ISP office to discuss options.

• No. If you are currently enrolled, you must still attend those classes in order to stay in status and remain in the United States. If you are not enrolled in classes, you must return back to your home country. 

• Yes, to reenter the country you will need to have a signed travel signature on your I-20.  You MUST complete the TRAVEL REQUEST FORM to let us know your plans.  We will not be able to sign original I-20’s at this time, so we will provide you with either an electronic I-20 or an I-20 reprint. We will need to know that you have left the country to be able to contact you with travel signature information.

• You must attend and participate in your scheduled classes that are now online. F1 visa students must maintain a full course load while they are studying on an I-20.  This means that you will have to enroll and complete 12 units each semester.  You will remain in “active” status with immigration and the 5-month rule will not apply for being out of the United States.

Remember - there are risks to taking classes in your home country:

1. Canvas and My ECC: Canvas and My ECC may not be accessible outside of the U.S. If you cannot access Canvas, then you may miss assignments, tests and other homework. Without MyECC, you cannot make any registration changes or access your student email.  We recommend looking into a separate VPN access to ensure access.
2. Time Zones: Keep in mind that all classes are taught in Pacific Standard Time (PST). You may be required to wake up very early, or stay awake very late, in order to complete your class.
3. Classes may return to campus: If the COVID-19 “Safer at Home” order is lifted, all classes may return to campus.
4. Expiring Visas: We do not know if (or when) the U.S. Embassies will reopen and become fully functioning. Therefore, you may not receive a new visa in time to re-enter the U.S. to resume classes on campus.
5. Textbooks:  You may not have access to textbooks for the class.  We recommend to see if an electronic option exists to through https://redshelf.com/.  At this moment, the Bookstore is not mailing textbooks overseas.  We are looking at options to deliver, however, you may need to purchase through a 3rd party if it is unavailable via the Bookstore.  Students are responsible for all textbooks and class materials.

• If your class was cancelled, please fill out the REDUCED COURSE LOAD PETITION indicating that your class was cancelled as the reason. You must list the name and section number(s) of the class(es) that were cancelled. Your I-20 and immigration status will not be affected if you fall below 12 units

• Students who are uncertain about their plans for graduation should consult with a counselor. All counseling services will be offered online. To reach an international student counselor, click HERE. 

• Check both your ECC email and your Canvas. If you have no emails from the instructor and you do not see the class in your Canvas, please email the instructor directly to find your instructions on how to access your class.

• Go here for more help:  CANVAS HELP LINKS

• You can find more assistance here: Canvas Resources

• No. If you drop a class that was originally being taught online, you will not get a refund. Also, if dropping the class causes you to fall below 12 units, you will be out of status and might have your I-20 terminated. Please contact ISP staff HERE.

• Please follow the usual procedure for transfer. Once a college or a university sends you an acceptance letter, fill out the TRANSFER REQUEST form and your I-20 will be transferred.
• You must do this before your I-20 expires.

• Instructions on how to order your transcript online can be found HERE. 

To recieve refunds

Fall 2022 
Sunday, September 11th – 100%
Sunday, September 18th – 75%
Sunday, September 25th – 50%
Sunday, October 2nd – 25%

• To maintain your F1 visa status, you are still required to complete 12 units unless you have approval to be under units from ISP staff or the ISP counselor. Please contact ISP staff HERE.
• If a class has been cancelled and you no longer have 12 units, fill out the REDUCED COURSE LOAD PETITION indicating that your class was cancelled as the reason. Refunds for cancelled classes will be processed through admissions at a future date when college personnel are able to return to campus.

• Please follow our regular application process. You can email your application and supporting documents to us or visit our office. Please visit our application webpage here: APPLY NOW.

•  You can chat and access all library resources  in person and online. All their resources are HERE!

• Tutoring services are available in-person and online ! You can find more information HERE. 

• Student Health Services is offering drop-in Nurse Practitioner Advice hours and drop-in mental health “check-ins” to currently enrolled students who have paid their student health fee for the semester.  Learn more.

• Your counselors are available to help you both in-person and online! You should meet every semester with the ISP counselor. To make an appointment, please call, zoom, or walk-in to our office. ISP front desk zoom link 
• You can find more information here:  Chat with a ISP counselor 

• We are here to help you both in-person and online! Come visit our office on the first floor of the Student Services Building to see us in person or connect with us online anytime.  We have an open Zoom Room available to answer general questions, email, phone and live chat through our chat box.  We look forward to helping answer your questions! Chat with ISP staff

• The Warrior Pantry offers healthy food items and toiletries to students to help them succeed in their classwork without distractions caused by food insecurity. The Pantry is currently offering drive-thru and walk-up distribution service.  Warrior Pantry
• You must fill out a Basic Needs Intake Form each semester to receive services from the Warriors Pantry. 

• All students enrolled for El Camino College academic program have medical insurance through Lewermark and ID cards can be obtained by going to https://www.lewermark.com

• Medically necessary, diagnostic testing for the coronavirus is covered under your plan at no charge to you. This means you will not be charged a copay or deductible.
• Any employee and student who wishes to be tested can also do so at MBBM 134.  

MBBM Hours

• Monday-Thursday: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
• Friday: 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

• The treatment for COVID-19 is covered under your Lewer Mark Student Insurance plan. 

• If you believe you may have been exposed to the coronavirus and think you need to be tested, please contact your doctor’s office to discuss your symptoms and determine next steps. If you don’t have a doctor, you can contact LewerMark or your state or local health department for assistance. Nurseline is available 24/7/365.

• There are several ways you can contact them:
  · Email - lewermarksupport@lewer.com
  · Chat - www.lewermark.com
  · Phone - (800) 821-7710

• No, the Student Health Center does not have coronavirus tests. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, severe illness), remain at home and call your doctor for instructions. If you don’t have a doctor, you can contact LewerMark for assistance.
• Any employee and student who wishes to be tested can also do so at MBBM 134 for free.  

MBBM Hours

• Monday-Thursday: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
• Friday: 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Submit the OPT REQUEST FORM online. Scan and email your documents to Candace Trice, ctrice@elcamino.edu for review. Candace will review your documents to ensure that it they are complete. An OPT I-20 will be issued to you by email for the OPT packet.

• No, you cannot submit your application without the OPT I-20. USCIS will reject or deny your application due to missing documents.

• If you wish to withdraw a currently pending application, you must submit the request in writing. Please write to the USCIS service center processing your case. You can find the address for the service center processing your case on the confirmation notice that you received by mail. Once your case is withdrawn, it cannot be reopened. You will not receive a refund.

DO NOT send the notice to withdraw to the P.O. Box used to mail your application.

• Unfortunately, no refunds can be granted if you choose to withdraw your application after the submission.

• Warrior Jobs is available to assist El Camino College students with finding employment during OPT.

• There is no official notice from USCIS or SEVP regarding unemployment for OPT students. ISP advises that you continue to apply for jobs as we anticipate that immigration rules will be flexible due to these extreme circumstances.

• Students are allowed to travel internationally during OPT. 

• Students must either transfer their I-20 to a new school, return to El Camino College fulltime, return home or change their immigration status. Students have 60 days after the OPT End Date to transfer their I-20 to a new school. To transfer your I-20, complete the I-20 TRANSFER REQUEST form and upload a copy of your acceptance letter.
• To return to ECC and pursue new degree or certificate program, submit a new application with an up-to-date bank statement.