Last Updated: May 14, 2020 at 1:22 p.m.
Student FAQs
To date, seven members of the El Camino College community have tested positive for COVID-19. To honor the privacy rights afforded to medical patients, any identifying information about these individuals is considered confidential and will not be disclosed.
Students and employees who may have been exposed to the affected individuals are identified, notified, and advised on the appropriate actions to take, including self-isolating and watching for symptoms. Areas these individuals are known to have visited before testing positive for COVID-19 are identified so they can undergo thorough disinfection.
Every aspect of El Camino College’s response to the outbreak is guided by protocol from public health agencies, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
Lecture courses will be delivered online through the end of Spring Semester on June 12. The Summer Session, scheduled for June 22 to August 13, will also utilize online and remote delivery for lecture courses. No determination has been made yet about the Fall Semester.
Yes, but here are some important details to know.
First, if specific, personal extenuating circumstances require you to drop a class that changed from face-to-face instruction to online delivery, send an email message from your MyECC email account with the subject line “Drop Class” to dropclasses@elcamino.edu. Please include your Student ID number and the section number(s) of the class(es) you wish to drop.
Second, a few courses have already been cancelled. If your class has been cancelled, there’s nothing you need to do. The Admissions & Records Office will handle the process of removing you from the class and ensuring there is no academic penalty.
Third, there’s still plenty of time before you have to drop a course. The deadline for dropping classes with no academic penalty on your record for 16-week classes is May 15, 2020. If you are still enrolled after May 15, you’ll receive an earned grade for the course. So, consider remaining in the class to avoid potentially negative impacts mentioned below. If you’re experiencing issues with remote learning, reach out to your instructor. They may be able to identify alternative solutions that support your learning style.
Fourth, if you decide to drop a course that is continuing via remote delivery, there are some potential consequences to consider, including:
- reaching your educational goals
- your financial aid (if you have questions about the impact that withdrawing may have on your financial aid benefits, contact the Financial Aid Office at eccfaid@elcamino.edu)
- your visa status (F-1)
- your program requirements (e.g. EOPS, Honors/Transfer, CalWORKS, etc.)
- your future program prerequisites (e.g. Nursing, Radiologic Tech, Fire/EMT programs)
Processes and procedures are still being finalized regarding:
- how grade changes will occur for students who have already received a “W” grade and students who are considering dropping spring courses
- which courses will be eligible for a grade of “EW” (excused withdrawal)
- how to change your grade options to Pass/No Pass if that option becomes available. As a result, you may not see the changes to your classes in MyECC immediately.
Further, dropping a course may affect obtaining an associate degree if graduating in spring 2020 or transfer eligibility if transferring for fall 2020. It’s highly recommended you speak with a counselor to provide options and recommendations to you.
Finally, regarding refunds, if you drop a course that has changed from face-to-face instruction to online delivery, a refund will be processed, but at a future date when college personnel are able to return to campus.
We will continue to update this information as these processes are determined. We know these are challenging times, and we appreciate your patience and flexibility. Keep in mind you still have several weeks to make informed decisions, with assistance and guidance from El Camino staff ready to help you.
Admissions: admissionshelp@elcamino.edu
Counseling: counseling@elcamino.edu
Distance Education: distanceed@elcamino.edu
Dual Enrollment: dualenrollment@elcamino.edu
Financial Aid: eccfaid@elcamino.edu
Help Desk: helpdesk@elcamino.edu
Outreach: outreach@elcamino.edu
South Bay Promise: southbaypromise@elcamino.edu
Updated 4/16/2020
Opting for a Pass / No Pass instead of a grade is a BIG DEAL. For information on the grading basis decision process, view this video.
No, all face-to-face labs and activity classes that could not be converted to an online format are cancelled for the remainder of the Spring Semester.
Students who are uncertain about their plans for graduation should consult with a counselor. To reach a counselor online, click here.
Students who are uncertain about their plans for graduation should consult with a counselor. To reach a counselor online, click here.
The majority of campus employees are working remotely, with only select essential personnel, such as Campus Police, allowed on site. Students, all other employees, and the public must remain off campus. These campus services are being delivered online:
Admissions & Records
CalWORKS
Cashier’s Office
Counseling
EOPS
Financial Aid
Guardian Scholars
Library
Tutoring
These campus services are closed:
Bookstore
Food Services
Scholarship Office
Yes. Student Health Services is offering drop-in Nurse Practitioner Advice hours and drop-in mental health “check-ins” to currently enrolled students who have paid their student health fee for the semester. Learn more here.
No, Student Health Services does not have coronavirus tests. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, severe illness), remain at home and call your doctor for instructions.
El Camino College, through the resources of the federal CARES Act, will provide student
refunds for certain fees based on the disruption to instruction caused by the COVID-19
pandemic. Refunds will be issued for Spring Semester parking passes. Refunds will
also be issued for classes dropped after March 4 as a direct result of concerns related
to the pandemic.
Course materials will not be refunded, as these can be used again in the future. Health
fees will also not be refunded, as Student Health Services continues to operate and
provide services funded by these fees. College personnel are working on the refund
process and we expect to start providing refunds within the next 30 days. The process
for requesting a refund will be announced when it is finalized.
Yes, financial aid is being disbursed to students as scheduled. To speak with a representative of the Financial Aid Office, click here.
Yes, we are continuing to process financial aid applications and award financial aid. To check the status of your financial aid and to submit required documents, log on to MyECC. For information about applying, click here.
Yes, you may still submit a SAP appeal. Submit the completed appeal form and the required documentation to ECCFAID@elcamino.edu. Please email ECCFAID@elcamino.edu for a copy of the required form. Please allow 4-6 weeks for appeal decisions.
If you have turned in a reimbursement form, your check will be mailed to you. The Scholarship Office is currently calling to verify mailing addresses, so if you get a message from us, please call us back so we can mail your check ASAP. If you have any reimbursements, you may submit a picture of your receipts online at scholarship@elcamino.edu and we will mail you a check.
If you have any questions, please email us at scholarship@elcamino.edu or call us at 310-660-6541. We will be checking email and voicemail frequently. If you applied for a scholarship for fall 2020, you will be notified by Friday, May 15 if you were awarded a scholarship.
Yes, the California Community College system has compiled a list of companies providing free or low-cost internet access. You can find that list here.
Virtual Commencement Ceremony Announced
El Camino College recognizes the importance to students, staff and faculty of participating in our annual Commencement Ceremony. Due to the unusual circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and the State of California’s stay-at-home order, El Camino College is putting the health and safety of the campus community first by celebrating this year’s ceremony virtually. This decision was made after much deliberation and involved collegial consultation by the Commencement Committee.
The 73rd Annual Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12 at 4 p.m. using a link accessible on the El Camino College website. Students, family and friends will have the ability to listen to the 2020 student speaker and watch Superintendent/President Dena Maloney and Academic Senate President Darcie McClelland present the Class of 2020 to the El Camino Community College District Board of Trustees. Members of the platform party, which includes the 2020 Distinguished Faculty and Staff honorees and representatives of college administration, will also be part of the Commencement Ceremony. This video presentation will be followed by a custom slide show featuring the Class of 2020. Candidates for degrees and/or certificates will be invited to submit their name, degree, honors, a personalized message, and a photo in cap and gown. Further information about this event, and instructions on how to upload information, will be emailed to eligible students and posted on the college’s website.
Our Outreach and School Relations office is offering Virtual Open Forums on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. and Information Sessions on Thursdays at 4 p.m. Drop in and ask any questions you have about the enrollment process. Click here for more information.
The Warrior Welcome Center is offering drop-in enrollment support to help you get started at El Camino College.
You can sign up here.