Scholarships

ECC Scholarships

For fall 2026, nearly 675 El Camino College students were awarded over $1 million in scholarships. Many scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, fees, and textbooks. Like grants, they do not have to be repaid. The Scholarship Application is open during the fall semester and scholarships are awarded the following spring.

How to Apply

1. Access the El Camino College Foundation Scholarship Application online through MyECC.
2. Log into your MyECC and find the Scholarship Application link under “Quick Links”.

Scholarship Application Open Period:

The 2026 Scholarship Application cycle is opens at the end of September and closes on Sunday, December 20, 2026.

Scholarship Application Tips

Improve your chances of earning a scholarship, whether from El Camino or other sources:

• Watch deadlines. Each scholarship program runs on its own schedule—be sure to submit your application in time for consideration.
• Do your homework. All kinds of organizations offer scholarships—check with employers, local businesses, community organizations, etc.
• Develop a great personal statement. It’s an essential part of your application—write it in a program like Microsoft Word, then copy and paste it into your online application.

International Students

International students aren’t eligible for state or federal financial aid, making private and institutional resources like scholarships even more important.

• Apply for an ECC scholarship. Follow the application process described above.
• Learn about other financial assistance for international students. The International Education Financial Aid website offers a helpful guide.

Activating Your Scholarship

Once you receive an ECC scholarship, make sure to activate it. Scholarships cover expenses for award years only—they cannot be applied to past expenses.

See complete instructions for activating your scholarship.

Watch Out for Scams

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. When researching non-ECC scholarships, look out for these warning signs:

• Scholarships that charge application fees
• Guaranteed “wins”
• Promises of “free money”
• Scholarship awards you never applied for

See the Federal Trade Commission for more information or to report scholarship scams.