Financial Aid

Image of instructor helping student.

Explore financial aid opportunities at ECC.

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office staff accepts financial aid forms and documents via email, fax at 847-608-5460 or mail. We will be awarding financial aid during this time and, if you are eligible for any grants, we will email you and let you know that you have been awarded. If you are not eligible for a grant and need a student loan, please email financialaid@elgin.edu. We can answer questions about your financial aid and we will contact you directly.

If you are awarded a Foundation or Board of Trustees Academic scholarship you will receive an email confirming which scholarship(s) you receive and the amount(s). Applications are still being accepted, and you can visit the Scholarships page to apply.

Both full-time and part-time students may qualify to receive financial aid.

Important Information

Submit Your FAFSA®

​Starting October 1, 2020, the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available for you to complete at studentaid.gov.

This will determine what and/or you may be eligible to receive.

If you need help completing your FAFSA, stop by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office in Building B, Room B156, and we will be happy to assist you. Remote assistance is also available. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call us at 847-214-7360 or email financialaid@elgin.edu. Special hours are currently in place due to Covid-19. Please visit the for current hours and other important information.

We encourage you to stop by one hour before the office closes in order to provide enough time to complete your FAFSA. If you are applying for financial aid for the current 2020-2021 year, please complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA at studentaid.gov.

The 2021-2022 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid will be available in English and Spanish on October 1, 2020. Undocumented students and transgender students meeting the criteria of the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act may file this application. Further details are provided at the RISE Act page available in English and Spanish.

Income & Tax Information

Students will report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. You (and your parents, if applicable) will need to use the 2018 income and tax information to fill out the new 2020-2021 FAFSA. 

Here’s a summary of key dates for submitting the FAFSA depending on when you plan to go to school:

Summary of key dates for submitting the FAFSA®.
If you plan to attend ECC during:You will submit this FAFSA:You can submit the FAFSA beginning:Using Income & Tax info from:
Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021 2020-2021 October 1, 2019 2018
Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022 2021-2022 October 1, 2020 2019

How to Apply For Financial Aid

ECC connects approximately 5,000 students to over $16 million in financial aid each year. Learn more about how you can apply for financial aid today.

Additional information

Types of Financial Aid

Effective January 1, 2021, student workers will be paid $11 per hour. Review the policies and procedures to receive financial aid.