New Student Orientation Resources

Key Terms Definitions

Academic Advisor

Academic Advisors guide and empower students to make well-informed, strategic educational decisions that encourage student development and meaningful, timely pathways toward educational goal achievement.

Academic Pathway

A sequence of courses, intentionally designed, guides each student from the start of their educational journey to attaining their educational goals.

Associate in Arts Degree

A degree designed to prepare a student for transfer to a 4-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Credit Hour

A credit hour is a unit of measurement for a course based on the amount of time spent in class and the expected amount of time spent outside of class.

ECC is a semester-based college, so credit hours are also sometimes referred to as semester hours. Students need to complete a certain number of credit hours with a certain minimum grade point average (GPA), depending on which program they are pursuing. Please visit www.elgin.edu/records for more information.

First Stop

This department serves as on-campus support for the AccessECC portal and assists students with registration and payment procedures. In addition to helping students in person, they also help over the phone and by email. Students are also welcome to print up to 15 pages each day from the computer stations. Located on the main floor of building A, First Stop also serves as the main information desk for students, staff, and visitors.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Before each year of college, apply for federal grants, student employment (work-study program), and student loans with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

ECC uses your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility. It also is used for awarding the Illinois Monetary Award Program Grant (MAP). To find out more about the FAFSA or to apply, go to www.studentaid.gov.

Payment Plan

Payment plans are offered each semester as a convenient way to budget tuition. Payment plans are interest-free and require a $30.00 non-refundable set-up fee each semester. Payments are automatic. Enter your account information; payments will draft using that account according to the payment schedule. You can use a payment plan if you have $250.00 or more in tuition charges.

Placement Tests

Assessments are used to place new students in courses that match their knowledge and skill in math, reading, and writing.

Residency

In compliance with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), Elgin Community College (ECC) determines tuition charges based on the student's permanent residence within or outside the boundaries of the Community.

Online Orientation Resource Page

College District 509. Tuition charges are based on the following residency statuses: 1) in the district, 2) out of the district, 3) out of state, or international.

Self-Service App

Application found on AccessECC for students to view and update personal, enrollment and financial information. Student Photo ID Your student photo ID identifies you as an Elgin Community College student. It is valid for three years from the date of issue and will serve as your library card. Make sure to carry your student photo id with you at all times, as it will be needed to use campus services.

Helpful Elgin.edu Links

1. Placement Testing and Services
2. Disability Services and Accommodations
3. Rave Alert
4. Free Application for Federal Student Aid
5. Scholarships
6. Student Loans
7. Student Code of Conduct
8. Title IX
9. Tuition and Fees
10. Payment Plans
11. Library
12. Bookstore
13. Tutoring, The Write Place, and Math Lab
14. FOCUS2 Career Planning
15. Career Development Appointments
16. AccessECC

Student Resources

Time Management

This workshop provides you with tools and strategies to help you manage your time more effectively. The workshop consists of different topics essential for time management; setting goals, calculating your use of time, building a schedule, and creating a to-do list. You can navigate the different sections on your own, but if you'd like some guidance in building your time management skills, an Academic Advisor is available to help.