AccessECC FAQ

I need verification that I’m enrolled at ECC. What do I do?

Elgin Community College has contracted with the National Student Clearinghouse to act as our agent for student verifications. Please get in touch with the National Student Clearinghouse at www.studentclearinghouse.org or call 703-742-4200.
Enrollment Verification Forms are available in the Registration Office in B-105.

How do I get on a waiting list for a class?

During the registration process, students can get on a waitlist online or in person at the Registration office B105. The procedure to get on a waitlist is the same as it is to register, but students must select “add to waitlist” instead of “register.” Waitlists end each semester on the payment due date. Students not moved into classes the day after payment due date will be dropped from the waitlist. Students registered from a waitlist will receive an email at their ECC email address notifying them that they have been enrolled in a waitlisted section and payment must be made by 7 pm the next day to stay enrolled. If you are on a payment plan, your plan will adjust automatically. Students receiving financial aid should check to ensure the additional course is covered. Most services are available online by using the accessECC portal. However, please email us at registration@elgin.edu so we can assist you with registration-related questions.

Students will not be moved from waitlist if:

Enrollment in the waitlisted class exceeds the maximum credit hours for the semester
Student has not met prerequisites for the waitlisted class
There is a time conflict with another class already scheduled

How can I verify my residency?

To verify your residency, send a picture of your current driver’s license or state ID to Registration@elgin.edu . Alternatively, you can do it in person at First Stop or the Registration & Records Office next time you are on campus.

If your state ID or driver’s license is expired or doesn’t have your most recent address, find other documents you can provide to verify your residency on this page in the “Verification of In-District Residency” section.

If you do not live in our district and your district does not offer the program you would like to enroll in, you may be eligible for the in-district tuition rate. See details on the joint agreements page .

What if I experience technical problems in my D2L distance learning class?

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If you're facing internet connectivity issues, contact your internet service provider (ISP) for assistance.

For challenges related to your course website after you've successfully connected, don't hesitate to contact our Distance Learning Help Desk at 847-214-7620 or via email at d2lhelpdesk@elgin.edu. When reaching out via email, kindly include the following details:

Your first and last name
ECC ID number
Course section of the inquiry
Professor(s) name

How do I get your User ID and password?

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On the accessECC login page, click on “New Users Start Here.” Next, click “Show me my User ID and Student/Employee ID.” Next, enter your last name, your birthday (MM/DD/YYYY), and your ECC ID number; you can find this on your welcome letter or the last four digits of your social security number. This video may help.

Note: After submitting your information and security questions, you will be shown your user ID and your student ID number. Make a note of this important information.

Why was I dropped from my classes?

Students, please note that you could be removed from classes if you miss the tuition due date or don't meet course prerequisites. Instructors might also drop students for not attending or not meeting specific section requirements outlined in the syllabi. Your timely attention to these aspects is appreciated.

What features does accessECC provide me?

Explore AccessECC, the revamped student portal designed to simplify and enrich your online experience with an array of helpful features.

Calendar: On the left side of your screen, a dynamic calendar automatically populates your classes after registration, seamlessly linked with your student email for comprehensive reminders.
Notifications: Stay informed with a dedicated notification box on your accessECC front page, alerting you to address any pending matters before accessing your records.
Quick Link to Student Email: Navigate to your student email account effortlessly by clicking on the Student Email link under the ECC APPS box.
Effortless Access to D2L and ECC Apps: Find swift access to D2L and various web services under the ECC Apps tab, streamlining your online interactions.
Announcements: Important campus-wide dates and announcements, such as payment deadlines and graduation application periods, are prominently displayed on your accessECC front page for easy reference.
Student Reference Links: Conveniently access valuable resources and information from elgin.edu through the provided links on AccessECC.

Be sure to check out the new student portal, where all your links and information are conveniently consolidated for easy access.

Where do I go to register or drop a class?

Drop or register for a class online via AccessECC (portal.elgin.edu) or come to the Registration Office B105. If you have difficulties registering or dropping classes online, you can also email the Registration Office at registration@elgin.edu.

How do I create my security questions for the portal?

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The system will prompt you to create three security questions. Use the dropdown arrows to select your preferred questions. Then, enter answers that you will remember. Remember that your responses are case-sensitive. ECC staff cannot access your answers. You may only reset your answers in person at the First Stop desk (in Building A) with a valid photo ID.

There is an error on my grade report. What do I do?

Contact the instructor to discuss the error. If you would like to appeal your grade, please see Appeal of Student Grades 4.403, which you can find at www.elgin.edu/procedures.

How much is tuition?

Coming to ECC for the first two years of your bachelor's degree is one of the smartest moves you can make!

These are some of the most popular schools ECC students transfer to after receiving an associate degree. Here is what you can save—on tuition and fees alone—if you attend ECC for your first two years. And that doesn't even include the potential savings in room, board, and transportation costs you may enjoy by attending ECC. Check the Cost and Payment Brochure or website for current tuition information at this link: www.elgin.edu/tuition

At $132 per credit hour, you can complete a degree or certificate at Elgin Community College for a fraction of the price of a public or private university—and also expand your opportunities and earning power with a degree or certificate in your chosen program. Scholarship and financial aid funding is available to help you finance your education. This calculator gives students and their families an estimate based on what similar students paid in a previous year.

Where do I pay my bill?

Online at www.elgin.edu/accessecc or in person at Students Accounts, B 151.

To pay your bill online, log in to your portal and go to the Self-Service app in the ECC Apps section. On the new page, select Student Finance and click on the Make a Payment link next to the dollar amount on the Account Summary page. Follow the directions and finish the payment.

I have financial aid for this term. I do not see it on my account yet. Why?

Financial aid posts to students accounts after the term starts. You can verify that your financial aid was processed by viewing your award letter online. You can find your award letter by clicking on AccessECC, selecting Self-Service module in the ECC apps section, and choosing “Financial Aid”. If you have all the items on your check list marked as "Completed" , you can view an award letter and maintain eligibility, your aid will post after the term starts. To get specific registration, payment and financial aid dates, go to www.elgin.edu/academiccalendar and print the pdf for the year desired.

Am I eligible for a payment plan?

Payment Plan Eligibility:

To qualify for a payment plan, you must have $250 or more in tuition charges for credit classes.
Your account must be in good standing with the College. You may not be eligible if you have had two or more late or returned payments.
A US checking or savings account, valid credit card, or debit card is required.
An email address is required; using your student email is best.

To do this, you may go to the Make a Payment tab. Click on the “Payment Plan” icon on the screen's left side. Follow the instructions on the page. Visit our website for more details about payment plans.

How long does it take to have my transcripts from a previous college evaluated?

Please allow 2 weeks for processing your Request for Evaluation of Prior Educational Experience. Notification that your evaluation results are available will be sent to your student.elgin.edu email address. Students can view which classes meet ECC requirements by logging into the accessECC student portal and clicking on the Self-Service app. Click on Academic Planning & Registration and then My Progress to see the results of the evaluation. Questions can be sent to records@elgin.edu.

How do I prove residency if I lived out of state or out of district before?

In district residency verification documentation must be dated at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of classes. In district residency is verified at orientation. If, after the initial verification, there is reason to believe the student’s residency is no longer in district, we will require verification documentation again if the student wishes to be charged in-district tuition. Reasons may include return mail or request for address change from out of district to in district. Students can demonstrate eligibility for in-district tuition rates in one of the following ways:

Provide a driver’s license or state-issued identification card or U.S. or international government-issued identification card with an in-district address dated at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the term.
Provide at least two of the following: Signed lease, utility bill or tax bill in the student’s name, or voter’s registration card.
Each semester, students who are employed for at least 35 hours per week in the district must provide 1) a recent pay stub and 2) documentation of hours worked per week on employer letterhead or on forms available at https://www.elgin.edu/residency or in the Registration Department. The documentation must be dated no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to registration.
Students utilizing benefits under the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or any subsequent variation of that Act (per Public Act 098-0306) must provide DD214 form or an eligibility letter.
Students who are enrolled through a joint agreement must provide the required documentation per that agreement for in-district tuition for applicable courses.
Students who are approved for study under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and who are residents of any of the signatory Illinois community college districts must provide required documentation per that agreement for in-district tuition for applicable courses.
Students matriculating directly from an in-district high school may provide a valid high school ID and a current high school transcript displaying the student's in-district home address.
In district residency is assumed for public high school students participating in a dual credit or other contractual programs between ECC and the public high school since high school enrollment is based on residency in the district. Once students in these programs matriculate into ECC independent of these contractual programs, residency verification will be required.
Students who are homeless can present a card provided by PADS of Elgin to verify they are staying there. Students staying at other homeless shelters should be referred to the Senior Director of Admissions and Registrar to discuss options including what appropriate documentation may be provided to demonstrate residency.
Active full and part-time ECC employees who live out of district must request email verification of employment status from the ECC HR benefits office each semester for in-district tuition rates for themselves, their spouses, and dependents. The tuition rate charged is not impacted by an eligibility for tuition reimbursement. Employees covered by bargaining unit agreements should consult their contract for reimbursement details.

No payment due date is listed on my statement. How do I know when my payment is due?

At this time, the statement does not display a due date. Please refer to the payment calendar to find out the payment due date each term. Make sure you set up a payment plan or pay in full before 7 pm by the designated due date each term. If you enroll on or after the payment due date, your payment is due by 7 pm the next calendar day.

FYI

Registration/billing statements are available online as soon as you register. Statements are no longer mailed. Here is how to get your statement:

While logged into the student portal, choose “Account Activity” in the Student Account menu.
The “Make A Payment” screen will appear. Choose the “Account Activity” tab located near the top left of your screen.
Select the desired term and click “View Statement”.
To print the statement, click on the printer icon located in the lower center of your screen.

I’m a student from another community college with a Joint Agreement with ECC. I’ve been charged the out of district tuition rate. How do I get that changed?

Whenever you provide a Joint Agreement to ECC, the Joint Agreement will have an expiration date. You are charged the out of district rate until you bring a renewed Joint Agreement. To adjust the tuition, obtain a new Joint Agreement Letter from the other college and bring it to the Registration office B105 where you must also fill out the joint agreement cover letter waiver.

I have a balance from a prior term, and I see several payments made on my account with a description of transfer payment? Why is that?

On June 30 each year, ECC transfers current unpaid balances within our student financial system to an outstanding account for tracking purposes. The system uses the term “payment” to describe this transfer even though no student payments were made. This process has no effect on your balance.

My classes were dropped because I forgot to pay. How do I re-enroll?

As long as space is still available in your preferred sections, you will re-enroll the same way you enrolled the first time: either online or in person (a new form is required for in-person enrollment). If the schedule change period has ended, you will need to obtain instructor's consent to be reinstated into your class.