Supporting Information

State Authorization

Accreditation

Elgin Community College operates under the Illinois Community College Board within the Illinois Board of Higher Education structures and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). HLC is a regional agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities located in a 19-state region of the U.S.

Regional accreditation affirms an institution's quality as a whole following a thorough evaluation of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources. HLC’s institutional accreditation includes all degree levels and on-site and online offerings. Higher education institutions in the U.S. may also seek accreditation through national or specialized accreditation agencies. Like regional accreditors, national accreditation associations accredit the institution as a whole. Specialized agencies accredit specific programs, departments, or schools within a college or university.

State Licensure Requirements

ECC programs are designed in compliance with the State of Illinois and/or regional requirements. They may not qualify students for certification or licensure, where necessary, outside of Illinois unless those requirements are set through national accrediting bodies. The student's responsibility is to ensure that their program of study meets state agency licensure requirements for their desired state of residence before enrolling. Check with your advisor and the appropriate state agency to affirm compliance.

Complaint Processes

If an instance occurs where a complaint needs to be filed with the institution, students should follow ECC's internal complaint procedures before escalating to other agencies. To initiate a complaint, please review the ECC complaint process.

• ECC complaint process
• ICCB complaint process
• HLC complaint process

Consumer protection complaints are filed through the state of Illinois or the agency for your state of residence.

• Consumer protection complaints

Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from a course may be eligible to receive a tuition refund based on ECC’s refund policy unless the student’s non-Illinois state of residence has established a consumer protection prescription for such situations, in which case the state policy will take precedence. Please review the ECC refund policy.