Financial Aid

We’re Here to Help!

Connect with the Financial Aid Help Desk to get your questions answered.

Financial Aid Help Desk

 

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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What You’ll Need

To protect your personal information, please have your ECC Student ID or a government-issued photo ID ready when working with the Financial Aid Office. Without a photo ID, we can only answer general financial aid questions.

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Zoom Tips for the Best Experience

• Use a laptop or computer to easily share your screen and review documents with staff.

• Call from a quiet, distraction-free environment.

• Do not attend Zoom meetings while operating a vehicle.

• Wear appropriate clothing when on camera.

⚠️ Reminder: Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct is prohibited under the Student Code of Conduct (Administrative Procedure 5500).

Financial Aid In-Person Support

To protect your personal information, Financial Aid cannot provide specific details regarding your finances over the phone. We must first verify your identity before discussing your financial aid.

The best way to get answers to your questions or make corrections to your financial aid is to visit one of our Financial Aid Labs located in the Student Services Building (SSB):

• Warrior Welcome Center (SSB, 1st Floor)
  Monday - Friday | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please note: doors close at 4:45 p.m. to allow time to complete applications and close the office.

Your total financial aid award is not changing. However, your refund amount may be lower because eligible institutional fees are being paid automatically before your refund is issued.

The Net Credit Refund process will apply to financial aid disbursements beginning with the Summer 2026 term.

If you have eligible institutional fees on your account, financial aid will first be used to pay those charges. Any remaining financial aid funds will then be refunded to you through your selected BankMobile refund preference.

Yes. If you are not receiving the California College Promise Grant or South Bay Promise, enrollment fees may be paid using your financial aid before your remaining refund is issued.

Institutional fees may include:

• Enrollment Fees (if not covered by Promise programs)
• Health Fee
• Student Representation Fee
• Associated Student Body (ASB) Fee

No. Parking fees are not considered institutional fees for this process and must still be purchased separately through Honk Mobile.

No. Your total financial aid award is not changing. However, your refund amount may be lower because eligible institutional fees are being paid automatically before your refund is issued.

Yes. Students may choose to pay their institutional fees when registering for classes. If all fees are paid before financial aid is disbursed, there will be no outstanding institutional charges to deduct from the refund.

You can review your account activity through MyECC:

1. Log in to MyECC.
2. Select Student Services.
3. Choose Account Summary or Student Account.
4. Review your charges, payments, and balances.

Students are encouraged to review their accounts regularly, especially before financial aid disbursement dates.

At El Camino College, Pell Grant funds are intentionally divided into three disbursements each term rather than being paid all at once. This process helps ensure that your financial aid is based on the classes you actually begin attending and remain enrolled in.

For most students, the annual Pell Grant award is paid in six installments throughout the academic year:

• First disbursement: Approximately 12% of your annual Pell Grant award
• Second disbursement: Approximately 13% of your annual Pell Grant award
• Third disbursement: Approximately 25% of your annual Pell Grant award

These three payments occur during the fall semester and are repeated during the spring semester.

Pell Grant disbursements are typically released:

1. During the first week of classes
2. During the third week of classes
3. Around the tenth week of classes

If you miss a scheduled disbursment we make additional disbursements every week for students who apply late, complete verification, or have an approved appeal. 

Federal regulations require colleges to verify enrollment before financial aid can be paid. Because students may add, drop, or never begin attending classes, El Camino College waits until classes have started before counting units toward Pell Grant eligibility.

By splitting Pell Grant funds into multiple disbursements, the college can:

• Confirm that you have begun attending your classes.
• Ensure your enrollment is accurately reflected before funds are released.
• Adjust awards if your enrollment changes during the term.
• Comply with federal financial aid regulations.

Your Pell Grant amount is based on your enrollment intensity, which is determined by the number of units you are actively enrolled in after classes begin. Classes that have not yet started generally cannot be counted toward your Pell Grant eligibility until they begin.

As a result, students enrolled in late-start classes may see adjustments to future Pell Grant disbursements once those classes start and enrollment is confirmed.

If you have questions about your Pell Grant amount or upcoming disbursements, contact the El Camino College Financial Aid Office for assistance.