Helpful information

How to obtain an ELAC ID Card?

Students can get an ELAC student ID card once they have completed the registration process. After registering for your classes you will pay your tuition fees at our Fiscal Office, and the Fiscal Office will direct you to go to the Student Center located in building G1 to take your picture for your ELAC student ID card.

Will you help me transfer when I’m ready?

East Los Angeles College has a University Center that helps students obtain enough information about any California State University, University of California, and many other private universities. Recruiters from many of these schools visit our campus each semester. Our staff will assist you to make your transfer as easy as possible.

Can I work while I am going to school?

Normally you cannot work while you are going to school. There may be a few jobs for International Students on campus, and you should try your best to find them. You will have to enroll as a full time student for at least one semester before you can be eligible to seek job from campus. You cannot work off-campus without permission of the Department of Homeland Security. To do so without permission can result in deportation and not being allowed to return to the United States. It is very difficult to get this permission and it is not given until you have been here for over a year.

How to get help from the Library?

The library requires you to display your photo ID to check out library materials. You will find librarians ready to assist you in locating the reference materials you need.


Can I get Financial Aid/ Scholarships to help pay my bills?

International Students do not qualify for US government financial aid. There are a few small private scholarships available after you have completed a minimum of one year full-time study with above-average grades.

Do I have to go to school full-time?

Yes. The Department of Homeland Security requests all international students, who hold an F-1 visa must complete 12 units every semester with a “C” grade average.

To Change Your Major Degree

1. Complete a “Change of Major” form (available in the International Student Office).
Meet with our International Student Counselor
2. Return the form to the ISO to obtain the updated I-20 form.

Health Insurance

Medical Insurance coverage is very important. All F-1 visa student is required to carry a medical insurance policy will cover minimum of $15, 000 for medical evacuation and repatriation while you are studying in US.
For the students who do not have medical insurance or wish to change insurance carriers, you may come to ISO and will provide you with the necessary information which you will need.

Early Registration For International Students

As an international student we have different By-Laws than regular students that require full-time enrollment. For this reason we have different benefits as international students. We obtain PRIORITY registration before most of the students. Please register early because classes are filling up quickly.

What If My F-1 Visa Expires While I Am In The U.S.?

Your F-1 visa does not determine how long you can stay in the U.S. Once here, you do not need to be concerned about its expiration unless you decide to leave the U.S. for a short visit abroad prior to completing your studies. Before you re-enter the U.S., you will need to make sure you have a valid F-1 visa. The F-1 visa itself (unlike your F-1 visa) is only important at the port of entry to the U.S.
The length of time you may remain in the U.S. is indicated on the Form I-94 card. For most students, the I-94 card has the notation D/S means “duration of status” or the length of time you are maintaining legal F-1 Student Status” for further information. (If your I-94 does not have the notation “D/S”, you should speak to an international student advisor well before it expires.)

Do I Need To Renew My F-1 Visa?

You must renew your F-1 visa if you decide to travel outside the U.S. and your current F-1 visa will expire before you re-enter the U.S. to continue your program. If this is the case, you will need to apply for another F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. There is one exception to this: a student who travels to Mexico, Canada, and islands adjacent to the U.S. (except Cuba) for less than 30 days is not required to have a current F-1 visa in His/her passport in order to re-enter the U.S. This is referred to as “automatic visa revalidation”. (For more information needed, please speak to an International Student Advisor).

What to do when my SEVIS I-20 is going to expire?
You should make plan to come early in person to speak with our international student counselor.

Where to eat?
ELAC is surrounded with over 30 different kinds of fast food restaurants. You will find these restaurants with different taste from anywhere of the world.

What to do when there is an earthquake?
If you are in school, school official will led you to a safe place, please stay comp. You should always arrange with your friend or family member where should you meet them when earthquake/emergency happens. Keep an emergency contact list in your wallet and at home.


Lost And Found

If one day you lose something which department should I go?
First start looking in the classrooms you were at. If you don’t have luck try with the Sheriff Department (323) 265-8800. Sometimes people tend to find articles and turn them into the Sheriff Dept.

Coping With Stress

University life produces pressures and conflicts that can affect your personal life or studies in a negative way. Sometimes family problem develop while you are a student. You may feel lonely, anxious or depressed, have difficulty sleeping or studying, feel withdrawn from others, or under stress. You may experience and “emotional crisis” and/or “culture shock” which does not disappear even after you have talked with a friend or your department advisor.

In time as these, the Counseling Center can offer you confidential and professional psychological help. There are counselors experienced in working with the problems of students in a university community. Talking to a professional counselor will help you deal with you problems, whether personal, academic, or emotional. The Counseling Center provides a safe, free, and confidential environment, which you can use as an outlet for your problem.

The Counseling Center is located in E1 Building at the end of the admissions Hall.
Telephone: (323) 265-8751. To make an appointment, you need to contact ISO @ (323) 265-8796.

Social Security Number

Social security numbers are primarily intended to identify participants in the federal government’s Social security program, which provides retirement and disability benefits to workers and their families. However, they are now widely sued for administrative and identification purposes. All persons seeking employment of any kind, including assistantships must obtain a social security number before payment can be received. Having a social security number makes it easier for you to open a bank account, obtain a credit card, purchase an automobile, or get insurance.

However, you can apply for a Social Security number only if you have decided to work and have applied for a job on-campus. Once you have applied for a job and gotten a contract from the department you will be working for, the Human Resources office will provide you with a Social Security application and a letter of recommendation. Once you have the application and the letter then you will bring to the Social Security Office.

If you are an F-1 student you will need the following documents:

1. I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Student Status stamped “F-1 D/S”
2. Valid Passport
3. I-94 card (also known as the arrival, departure record) normally placed in your passport. Please note that if your I-94 is not marked “F-1 D/S” the Social Security Officer will not issue you a number.
4. Letter of eligibility from International Student Office and letter from the department that is hiring you
5. Social Security application form


Driver’s License

You must have a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. Having a California driver’s license is also valuable for identification purposes when writing checks and renting an apartment.

• Visit a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office (you may make an appointment for faster service by visiting the DMV’s website (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/).
• Complete application form DL 44. (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
• Give a thumbprint
• Have your picture taken
• Provide your social security number (if you have it)
• If you are an F-1 Student, bring with you, your I-20.
• Verify your birth date and legal presence
(you will need your passport, Visa, I-94, and I-20).
• Pay the application fee.
• Pass a vision exam (given at DMV)
• Pass a traffic laws and signs test.

Banking Information
For information regarding Banking click here.


What To Do If You Are Contacted By The FBI Or Other Governmental Authority

In addition to keeping your immigration document and status in good order, you should familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities as a non-citizen of the United States so that you are able to respond appropriately to any contact initiated by a U.S. governmental authority.

For an outline of your rights, please see the following document created by the American Civil Liberties Union: http://archive.aclu.org/library/knowyourrights.pdf.

If contacted or detained, at the very least, you should be allowed to contact your consulate for advice and assistance before entering into a formal interview or meeting with a representative of a United States governmental agency. To find the location of the nearest consulate, please visit this website at http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/.

You should also keep with you the number of an attorney. If you should need counsel or assistance in locating legal representation, please contact ISO (323) 265-8796

Taxes on F-1 students
In general, F-1 students who have been in the United States less than five years are exempt from Social Security (FICA) taxes. The student’s earnings are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Students must file a tax return on or before April 15 each year. Students may be entitled to a refund of taxes withheld from their wages if the amount of tax owed is less than the amount withheld. Check with this website for the application. http://search.irs.gov/web/query.html?col=allirs&charset=utf-8&qp=&qs=-Wct%3A%22Internal+Revenue+Manual%22&qc=&qm=0&rf=0&oq=&qt=1040nr


Traveling Information

Basic Travel Documents
You should make photocopies of your travel documents and keep the copies and originals in a safe place. Photocopy:
• The passport pages with your passport number, picture, and personal information.
• The passport page containing the US visa.
• Both sides of your I-94 Form, and
• Both sides of your I-20 ID.

Re-entering the U.S. After a Temporary Absence
To re-enter the US, you need to have the following documents:
• Valid passport (except Canadians)
• Valid F-1 or F-2 visa 
• Current I-20 with a valid signature (see I-20 Endorsement)
• Proof of financial support
*If your visa is expired, see section Renewing Your Visa. Before your trip, visit the ISO with your documents for a re-entry qualification review.
• Know the visa requirements before you fly to any country

School Directory (www.elac.edu)

Admissions & Records (E1-104) (323) 265-8712
Enrollment Center (E1-102)
323-265-8966
Monday-Thursday 8:00am-7:00pm
Friday 8:00am-1:00pm

Bookstore (G1-108)
Spring & Fall Semester
Monday-Thursday 7:45am-7:15pm
Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

Winter Intersession & Summer Session
Monday-Thursday 7:45am-7:15pm
Friday Closed

Fiscal Office (G1-112) (323) 265-8701
Monday-Thursday 8:30am-7:00pm
Friday 8:30am-3:00pm

International Students Office (E1-102) (323) 265-8796
Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday Closed

Learning Center (E7-228) (323) 265-8762
Spring & Fall Semester
Computer Lab & Tutoring
Monday-Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm
(Note: Tutoring closed from 1:00pm – 2:00pm)
Friday 10:00am-1:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

Winter Intersession & Summer Session
Computer Lab & Tutoring
Monday-Thursday 10:00am-5:00pm
Friday Closed

Library (F3) (323) 265-8758
Spring & Fall Semester
Monday-Thursday 8:00am-9:00pm
Friday 8:00am-1:00pm
Saturday Closed

Winter Intersession & Summer Session
Varies Per Session

Los Angeles Sheriff (B5-104) (323) 265-8800
Monday-Sunday 24 Hours

Student Health Service (E1-115) (323) 265-8651
Spring & Fall Semester
Mon, Tues, Thurs 8:15am – 4:15pm
Wed 9:00am – 5:00pm
(Note: M – TH actual hours vary per semester)
Friday 8:00am – 12:00pm
Winter Intersession & Summer Session
Varies Per Session
Friday Closed

University Center (E1-118) (323) 265-8623
Monday-Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 3:00pm

*all hours is subject to change


Useful Web Resources For International Students

http://www.elac.edu
Our College Website

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu
University of California General Website

http://www.calstate.edu
California State Universities General Website

http://usembassy.state.gov/
United States Department of State,
Website for all U.S. Embassy Abroad

http://la.yahoo.com
An extensive directory of L.A. related sites

http://www.latimes.com
The Los Angeles Times newspaper online

http://www.gocalif.ca.gov/state/tourism/tour_homepage.jsp
Guidebook of California maps, activities, and events

http://www.dmv.ca.gov
Car minded? Find all the details at the Department of Motor Vehicles website

http://www.google.com
The best site for specific inquiries

http://yellowpages.com
Locate all kinds of business and their addresses.

http://cnn.com
CNN news

http://mapquest.com
Maps/directions to anywhere in the U.S

http://www.xe.com/ucc/full.shtml
Currency converter

Mailing
Visit the United States Postal Services website for the nearest location: http://www.usps.com/

For a World Wide Shipping International:

DHL (Drop Off)
WORLD COMPANY
744 S Atlantic Blvd
Monterey Park CA 91754
Website: www.dhl.com
UPS DROP BOX
SELFSERVICE DROP BOX
428 S ATLANTIC BLVD
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
Mon-Fri: 5:00pm SAT: No pick up
Website: www.ups.com


Consumer information

For information regarding Consumer Information click here