Apr 20, 2024  
2008-2010 Catalog 
    
2008-2010 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions & Registration



Admissions

Erie Community College provides quality and affordable educational opportunities for all eligible applicants who are seeking post secondary education on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Retention, graduation rates and transfer information are all indicators of student success and are available in the college’s Institutional Research Office, North Campus Room G-156.

General Information on Admissions Policies

Erie Community College admits applicants based upon two categories of Admissions:

Matriculated or Non-Matriculated

Students interested in earning an associate degree or certificate must be matriculated in an academic degree program. A matriculated student is one who has been formally admitted into a degree or certificate program at Erie Community College. Applicants will be admitted into a degree program once they have completed and submitted an application and official high school and/or college transcripts.

A matriculated student must score at an appropriate level on the college’s mandatory placement test or have been granted a waiver. Matriculation, once granted, remains in effect as long as the student has continuous sequential enrollment at the college and is in good academic standing.

Applicants wishing to seek matriculation will need to:

  1. Complete the matriculated application online by visiting www.ecc.edu.
  2. Submit your official high school and college transcripts to the Admissions office of the campus you wish to matriculate at.
  3. Bring in General Education Diploma (GED) Certificate and Scores and submit to the Admissions Office at the campus you wish to matriculate. Take the mandatory Placement Test unless you have been granted a waiver for English and/or math, based on one of the following reasons:
    • Have prior college credit in math or English and have provided a official college transcript reflecting a grade of C or better
    • Scored 85 or higher on the English III or math Course III Regents Exam
    • Achieved 500 or better on the Verbal and/or math portion of your SAT
    • Taken the Advanced Placement English or calculus exam and scored a three or higher.

All admission decisions are conditional based upon official proof of graduation from an accredited high school or proof of GED, including the certificate and scores. Final placement in a degree or certificate program is dependent upon the results of the mandated English and Math Placement Test.

Admission of Non-Matriculated Students

A student may enroll as non-matriculated, taking courses for personal fulfillment not leading to completion of a degree or certificate program. Non-matriculated students are not required to take the college’s mandatory Placement Test nor submit official high school or college transcripts.

Placement Testing

Placement testing is required of all entering matriculated students and those entering a certificate program, both full-time and part-time, unless they have been waived from the placement test. The purpose of the test is to provide you with useful information about your academic skills in math, reading and writing. The results of the assessment in conjunction with your academic background, goals and interests are used by an academic advisor and/or counselor to determine your course selection. You cannot “pass” or “fail” the placement tests, but it is very important that you do your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills.

Placement Test Offices

Administrative Office: (716) 270-5124
City: 851-1022
North: 851-1943
South: 851-1914

The following placement tests are available at ECC:

  • ACCUPLACER-Computerized walk in placement test consisting of questions in reading comprehension, writing skills, arithmetic and elementary algebra skills.

  • Companion to ACCUPLACER provides a paper-and-pencil version of the ACCUPLACER test. This is a timed test and available upon request only. Please contact the placement testing office on the campus you wish to take the test to schedule an appointment.

  • Accommodated Placement Tests can be scheduled for students with disabilities, individuals with IEPs or IEP Diplomas. Please contact the Disabled Student Services office at the campus you plan to attend. Disabled Student Services Offices: City: (716) 851-1189; North: (716) 851-1495; South: (716) 851-1933.

  • Ability to Benefit (ATB) is administered when an applicant does not hold a high school diploma or a GED certificate at the start of the semester. To meet the federal financial aid eligibility, a student must take an ATB test. Students wishing to take an ATB test may attend any scheduled ACCUPLACER test.

  • Bilingual Placement Test is for individuals who are dominant in a language other than English. A prospective student from this group who does not have a high school diploma may also take this test which meets the Ability to Benefit (ATB) requirements.

For test taking tips, practice and placement testing schedule, visit www.ecc.edu/admissions/accuplacertips.asp

  • Please bring a photo ID

  • Please bring two number 2 pencils

  • Know your Social Security number

  • No calculators are permitted

Non-matriculated students are required to complete the online application for admission by visiting www.ecc.edu. A non-matriculated application will take about two business days to process before a student may attempt to register for courses.

Placement Testing Process

All students seeking matriculation in a degree or certificate program are required to take a mandatory placement test. Completion of the placement test must occur after applying to the college and before the first semester of registration.

English and Math Requirements for Placement in Credit Courses

All incoming students are required to take an English Placement Test Battery which consists of two sections: reading and writing. College Reading and Study Skills I or II (EN 010 or EN 011) or both are required of all students who place below a minimal level on the reading section. Improvement of College Writing I or II (EN 020 or EN 021) or both are required of all students who place below a minimal level on the writing section. English courses for degree credit (except EN 410, EN 420, EN 430 ) cannot be taken until students demonstrate competence in reading and writing skills.

Students receiving a score of three or better on the Advanced Placement Exam are exempt from EN 110 and EN 111 and should request to be waived from the English Placement Test Battery. Students who have taken and passed (C or better) a college-level English course or New York State Regents English III with an 85 or better on the final exam within the last three years, should also request the placement test be waived. Students who score at least 500 on the math or verbal sections of the SAT will be waived from the math or English section of the placement test, respectively.

English EN 010, EN 011, EN 020, EN 021, EN 030, EN 031, EN 040 and EN 041, (noncredit courses) may be used to meet the credit requirements of any scholarship, financial aid, or immigration program. They may also be used as credit hours toward the requirements for participation on athletic teams. However, they may not be used as electives toward graduation and may not be substituted for any English requirement of any curriculum. The credit-bearing English as a Second Language courses EN 132 and EN 142 may be used as electives toward graduation but may not be substituted for any English requirement of any curriculum.

On-Line Admissions Applications

On-Line Admissions

Attention prospective students! It is quick, easy and free! Erie Community College is now accepting on-line admissions applications.

Complete your application from our Home Page at:

Erie Community College
(716) 851-1ECC ♦ www.ecc.edu

IEP Diplomas

In May 1986, the New York State Board of Regents amended the State Education Department regulations to provide for the issuance of high school individualized education program (IEP) diplomas. Individuals holding IEP diplomas who are seeking admission to the college are not currently eligible for matriculation into academic departments other than the college’s General Studies 24-Hour Program. Applicants should contact both the Campus Admissions Office and the Disabled Students Services Office for assistance.

All students, including those with IEP Diplomas, who have neither a high school diploma nor its equivalent, and who are admitted to post-secondary education programs on the basis of their ability to benefit, must successfully complete an independently administered Ability to Benefit Test as required by the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Section 484 (d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Readmission to ECC

Students who do not maintain continuous enrollment from one sequential semester to another must complete an Admissions Reactivation Application by visiting www.ecc.edu. Once the form is processed the student will receive a new admissions acceptance letter and packet through the mail. Students may change their program or campus also during this process also.

Fresh Start Program

Students who have not registered for courses at the college in the past five years may apply for a Fresh Start status. Approved students may receive credit for only previous courses with a “C” grade or better which meet degree requirements for a new program of study. A maximum of 50 percent of the required credits toward a certificate or degree may be transferred from the student’s previous work at Erie Community College in the Fresh Start program.

Students interested in seeking information or completing a Fresh Start application packet may contact the Admissions Office prior to the start of the semester or before completion of their first semester of reactivation. Applicants interested in consideration for a Fresh Start must meet the following conditions.

  1. Complete a Fresh Start Application packet and submit to the Admissions Office you wish to enroll.
  2. Attach a personal letter to the Fresh Start packet stating the reasons for previous academic difficulties and how you plan to resolve future academic problems.
  3. Request an unofficial copy of your academic transcript and attached to the completed Fresh Start packet.
  4. Submit the completed Fresh Start packet to the Admissions Office you wish to matriculate.
  5. Contact the Admissions Office to schedule an appointment with a counselor to review the completed Fresh Start packet.

Fresh Start Process and Criteria

  1. All grades earned at ECC will remain on the transcript.
  2. Any academic status (good standing, probation, dismiss and/or graduation) will all reflect the cumulative average beginning with the course work completed after the minimum five-year absence.
  3. The student must accept all current academic program or college requirements at the time of acceptance into the Fresh Start Program.
  4. Students must apply to a new academic department.
  5. Approved students will receive credit toward the total degree requirement for only those courses taken prior to the student’s five-year absence from ECC in which the student earned a grade of “C” or better; at least 50 percent of the degree or certificate requirements must be completed in the Fresh Start status.
  6. The Fresh Start program is extended only once during the student’s enrollment at ECC.
  7. Fresh Start is intended for students who experienced academic difficulties during their previous enrollment. Applications will not be considered for students not experiencing academic difficulties who wish to improve their GPA for admission into a competitive program.
  8. Changes made to the student’s record under this policy are permanent and may not be changed in the future for any reason.

Readmission of Students Having Been Academically Dismissed

After notification of dismissal, students may register for up to 11.5 credit hours at the college as a non-matriculated student. Academically dismissed students will need to reapply for admission as a non-matriculated student by completing an application online at www.ecc.edu.

Non-matriculated students are ineligible for financial aid. Tuition and fees will be the responsibility of the student since they are no longer eligible for financial aid. Students may appeal the dismissal decision for matriculation by completing an Academic Dismissal packet. Packets may be obtained by visiting the Student Support Centers on their campus. Completed packets may also be returned to the Student Support Centers. The Academic Standards Committee will review all completed packets on a monthly basis. All appeal decisions will be mailed to the student after each monthly meeting.

For more information, or to obtain an Academic Dismissal packet please contact the Student Support Centers.

Admissions Review Process for Applicants with Felony Convictions and/or Dismissed from Previous Colleges or Universities

Since 1997, all persons requesting admissions to undergraduate SUNY institutions are required to truthfully report felony convictions and/or disciplinary dismissals from previous college or universities.

Erie Community College has established a special Admissions Review Committee to assess applicants who fall within the aforesaid categories as described by SUNY.

The following are admissions procedures for persons who: (1) have been previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses, and/or (2) have been dismissed and/or expelled from a previous college or university for disciplinary reasons.

These procedures are developed and implemented with consideration given to the requirements set forth in Section 23A of the New York State Correction Law and undergraduate SUNY institutions.

In order to determine eligibility, it is required that the following items be submitted.

For persons reporting one or more criminal offenses and convictions:

  • A letter of reasonable assurance or recommendation from a parole or probation official on official letterhead and;
  • A letter of explanation from the applicant stating specifically the nature of the criminal offense.

For persons reporting disciplinary dismissals and/or expulsions from previous colleges or universities:

  • A letter of explanation stating the violation and disciplinary dismissal from the previous institution of higher education, and;
  • A letter of explanation from the applicant stating specifically the student code of conduct violation or infraction.

Applications will remain incomplete and admission decision will not be considered until the requested documents have been received. Although it is required to report such information, please know these reasons are not automatic grounds for denial of admission. Once all of the information is received, the Admissions Review Panel will meet and make a decision on admittance.

The Admissions Review Committee meets once a month. Only those applicants whose documentation was received in the Admissions Office two weeks prior to the next meeting will be forwarded to the committee.

  1. No application for admission to ECC shall be denied by reason of the applicant having been previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses, and/or having been expelled and/or dismissed from college for disciplinary reasons unless:
    1. There is direct relationship between the ECC campus community and one or more of the previous criminal offenses and/or dismissals or expulsions;

      or
       
    2. The granting of admission to ECC would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
  2. Applicants convicted of one or more previous criminal offenses and/or dismissed or expelled from college for disciplinary reasons must meet the same admissions requirements expected of all entering students.
  3. Among those factors that will be included in the admission decision are:
    1. The bearing, if any, of the criminal offense(s) for which the person was previously convicted, and/or the dismissal or expulsion will have on his/her fitness or ability to function successfully in the educational setting of the campus.
    2. The time that has elapsed since the occurrence of the criminal offense(s) and/or dismissal or expulsion.
    3. The age of the person at the time of occurrence of the criminal offense(s) and/or dismissal or expulsion.
    4. The seriousness of the offense(s) and/or dismissal or expulsion.
    5. Any information produced by the applicant, or produced on the applicant’s behalf, in regard to his/her rehabilitation and good conduct.
    6. The legitimate interest of the college in protecting property, and the safety and welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
    7. A certificate of good conduct issued to the applicant, which shall create a presumption of rehabilitation in regard to the offense or offenses specified therein.
    8. Appropriateness of the applicant’s background for the academic program requested.
    9. The relationship between the criminal offense(s) and/or dismissal or expulsion and the availability of rehabilitative and other services at the college.

A campus Admissions Review Committee consisting of three admissions counselors, the director of admissions or designee and two deans of students will be responsible for reviewing all applications of applicants who fall into the categories stated.

If the committee finds that the person’s admission would involve an unreasonable risk to property or the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public as outlined in the Education Law, the applicant will be informed that his or her admission has been denied with no reason given. Under Section 754, should the applicant request it, a written statement of reasons for the denial shall be provided within 30 days of the request.

All admission recommendations will be submitted to the director of admissions or his or her designee in order to generate correspondence and document the applicant’s decision. If the committee does not find that an unreasonable risk exists, the applicant will be notified by the director of admissions or his or her designee that he or she has passed the special screening required by college policy and that the applicant can expect, in the near future, and admissions decision based upon academic qualifications.

Students with Disabilities

In compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, Erie Community College does not discriminate against people with disabilities. Individuals who are disabled are required to meet the same admissions requirements for their academic programs as their non-disabled peers. Admission of any student to an individual program of study is contingent upon successful completion of the college’s Placement Test. Individuals who require assistance with alternative testing techniques for the Placement Test due to a disability may arrange for such assistance by contacting the Office of Disabled Student Services on the campus where they plan to take the test. Alternatives include large print copy, scribes, readers, extended time, interpreters, etc. Individuals who have vision problems, learning disabilities, hearing impairments, etc., who did not have any accommodations made for them at the time of the Placement Test, and therefore, performed poorly on it or who were notified that they do not appear to be eligible for admission can submit documentation of their disability to the campus Disabled Student Services Office so that their application can be given a second and more in-depth review. Submission of such information is voluntary and will be kept confidential. Knowledge of an individual’s disability will not adversely affect admission to the college. Individuals who check the voluntary self-identification of disability box on the SUNY application form must still contact the Disabled Student Services Office to arrange for services. Additional information on Disabled Student Services may be found in the Student Services  Section of this catalog.

SUNY Admissions Procedure

  1. Secure a SUNY Undergraduate Application from a high school counselor, ECC Admissions Office or Student Support Centers
  2. Complete the common admissions application
  3. Send the application and fee to:

State University of New York
Application Processing Center
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246

  1. Await word from the ECC Admissions Office regarding the status of the application. Notification to fall applicants begins in February, and applicants for spring will be notified as early as October.*
  2. Take the placement test.
  3. Students who score at an inappropriate level on the placement test will be contacted by an ECC staff person to discuss available options.
  4. Applicants may apply directly to ECC by visiting www.ecc.edu and complete the application at no cost.

*Any questions regarding the status of an application should be made directly to the campus you wish to attend:

ECC City Campus
Admissions Office
45 Oak Street
Buffalo, NY 14203-2698
(716)851-1155

ECC North Campus
Admissions Office
6205Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221-7095
(716) 851-1455

ECC South Campus
Admissions Office
4041 Southwestern Boulevard
Orchard Park, NY 14127-2199
(716) 851-1655

Certificate Programs

Students who plan to enroll full-time or part-time in a college certificate program must complete the same application process and requirements as students applying to a degree program.

24-Hour Program for Non High School Graduates (NHSG) Admissions Procedure

The 24-Hour Program allows a student to work toward a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma while pursuing 24 hours of college coursework at Erie Community College. For entry into this program, applicants must follow the admissions procedures previously described. In addition, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Applicant must be 19 years of age or older, or;
  2. Applicant must be at least 17 years of age and either has not been regularly enrolled in a full-time high school program of instruction for at least one year or was a member of a high school class that has graduated.

To apply for the 24-Hour program, students must make an appointment with a counselor in the Admissions Office they wish to enroll. The counselor will provide an overview of all educational opportunities available. In conjunction with the applicant the counselor will decide on the best program based on the student’s needs, high school transcript depicting the last period of attendance and other information.

While students are in this program, they may be matriculated in those academic programs allowing non-high school graduates until successful completion of 24 credit hours. Those credit hours that are completed will be in addition to any developmental courses needed, which are noncredit.

Upon receipt of the High School Equivalency Diploma, the 24 credit hours will be applied toward the requirements for the degree program.

Beginning with applications made on or after January 1, 2005 the 24 credits shall be distributed as follows: six credits in English language arts, including writing, speaking and reading (literature); three credits in mathematics; three credits in natural science; three credits in social science; three credits in humanities and six credits in electives for college degree program requirements.

Students dismissed from this program will be required to complete their high school equivalency diploma in the traditional manner before being considered for readmission to ECC.

(Note: This program does not replace the regularly established procedures in the granting of local high school diplomas or regents high school diplomas.)

Veterans

Erie Community College has had thousands of veterans and their dependents enroll in degree and certificate programs approved by the State Education Department Bureau of Veterans Education. Students who will be attending the college using Veterans’ benefits should keep the following in mind:

  1. Applications and information on Veterans’ Education Assistance, tutorial services, or work study opportunities may be obtained at one of the campus Veterans’ Affairs Offices.
  2. Veterans should contact the campus Financial Aid Office for information on other grants for which they may be eligible in addition to Veterans’ benefits.
  3. College certificate programs are approved on an individual basis under the restrictions of PL93-508. Veterans considering enrolling in one of the certificate programs should consult the campus Veterans’ Affairs Office before registration.

The Veterans coordinators at each campus evaluate military transfer credits using the ACE guide (American Counsel on Education). This guide is made available by the Federal Government in cooperation with the Department of Defense and educators from colleges around the country. If you are enrolled in a program at ECC, you may be eligible for transfer credits for your MOS’s or technical schools taken in the service.

Service Members Opportunity College

Erie Community College has been designated as an institutional member of Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC), a group of more than 400 colleges and universities. As a SOC member, ECC recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and has committed itself to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experiences. SOC has been developed jointly by educational representatives of each of the Armed Services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and a consortium of 13 leading national higher education associations. It is sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC).

ECC has also been designated as a participating institution in the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP). Individuals entering the military service can receive a preliminary acceptance to the college and be guaranteed a space upon their discharge from active service. Information on both these programs can be obtained by contacting a Veterans Affairs counselor located at each campus.

International Students

To provide a smooth transition for the international student, Erie Community College provides an International Student Advisor, located at the North Campus. Prior to registration, the advisor will assist in the completion of the F-1 status forms. Federal regulations pertaining to international student admissions, as outlined in ECC’s Charter I-17, are summarized below:

  • Language Proficiency: Prior to an international student’s acceptance at the college, the applicant must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in the English language. To meet this requirement, proficiency on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), a score of 460 or higher on the paper based test (or 140 on the computer based test or 48 on the internet based test) is a mandatory requirement. Conditional Acceptance: For all students with a TOEFL score below 550 on the paper based test (213 on the computer based test or 79 on the Internet based test), mandatory enrollment during the first semester of attendance in EN 132 Reading/Writing III, EN 137 Intensive English Grammar for ESL and EN 142 Oral/Aural is mandatory. Satisfactory completion of the three courses during the first semester is mandatory. Failure to enroll in these three courses will not allow enrollment for the following semester at ECC. Some academic programs are competitive and enrollment is limited to space available and academic credentials. Some examples of limited enrollment are Nursing and Dental Hygiene. Please consult an ECC admissions counselor for additional admission requirements.
  • Matriculation: Until English proficiency is attained, the student will matriculate in the General Studies curriculum.
  • Financial Responsibility: At the time their visas are issued, international students must prove to the U.S. consul that they can adequately finance their stay in the United States. The prospective international student must provide to ECC International Office the “Affidavit of Support”, the “International Application Financial Form” and an official bank statement. Facsimile, copies and computer print-outs are not acceptable. Financial aid is not available for international students.
  • Tuition and Fees: All tuition, fees and health insurance for the semester must be paid prior to registration. The I-20 will not be issued until all financial obligations are met.
  • International Student Administrative Fee: An administrative fee of $150 USD per semester is charged to each international student attending ECC. The fee is included in the tuition bill received each semester. The fee assists the college in maintaining an International Resource Center. The International Student Administrative Fee is subject to change after publication of this college catalog

Mandatory Health Insurance: Health insurance coverage is mandatory and must be provided by the ECC approved agency. There are no exceptions or waivers.Minimum enrollment is for 12 months and cost $588 USD for the age group of 22 to 27 years old. For your rate, please contact the college bursar at (716) 851-1888. Rates may change after publication of this catalog.

  • Deadlines: All application materials including official bank statement, official high school diploma, official high school transcript, test scores, medical certificates, official TOEFL score and supporting documents sent to ECC, are to be postmarked no later than May 31 for September admission and October 31 for January admission. The purpose of the deadline is to allow sufficient time to verify all official documents received and to report required information to the proper government agencies. Applications received after the deadline will be processed only if there is sufficient time for verification of documents, time for reporting to appropriate agencies and return mailing time.

    Nursing, Dental Hygiene and several other academic programs are very competitive and admission is on a space available basis and on academic credentials. Deadline application for these competitive programs are not the same as the International application deadline. Please consult an ECC admissions counselor for additional admission requirements and additional deadlines.
     
  • Tuition: Tuition for one semester is approximately $3,500 USD. This does not include insurance, lab fees, books or equipment. Tuition is subject to change after publication of this college catalog.
  • Full-Time Matriculation Enrollment: All F1 International students must maintain continuous full-time enrollment of 12.0 credit hours or more throughout the semester. All F-1 International students must maintain continuous enrollment of a minimum of 9.0 credit hours of “seated” courses (non-internet courses, non-distant learning courses, non-telecourses, or non-hybrid courses) throughout the semester. Student failure to comply with this mandatory requirement will be reported to the Department of Homeland Security as Out of Status Visa. Until the out of status is adjudicated, the student will not be able to matriculate or enroll at ECC or transfer to another college.
  • Dormitory Facilities and Housing: Erie Community College does not have dormitory facilities. For a list of possible available housing, please contact the Dean of Students or visit the Web site buffalonews.com.
  • The Application: The International Application is available on the Web site at www.ecc.edu. Also, to receive an international application by mail, please write to:

    Erie Community College, North Campus
    International Student Office; G-128
    6205 Main Street, Williamsville, New York 14221-7095
    U.S.A.

    To receive an electronic International Application e-mail: Rosolowski@ecc.edu
     
  • Return the International Application using any postal mail (government postal service or private postal service). The International Student office does not accept any facsimiles, copies, or computer e-mail applications. The completed application should be mailed to:

    Erie Community College, North Campus
    International Student Office, G-128
    6205Main Street, Williamsville, New York 14221-7095
    U.S.A.

ESL Support Center

(English as a Second Language)

A broad range of services are offered to students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds whose dominant language is not English. Students seeking entrance, information, or other help are encouraged to visit the ESL Support Center located in room 203 at City Campus or call (716) 851-1079.

To provide entry assistance, admissions and vocational recruitment counselors are available at City Campus. Bilingual, Spanish-English support is offered in these offices as well as in the Child Development Center. In addition, Spanish speaking faculty are available for academic help.

Advisement is coordinated through the ESL Support Center. Here, the staff works with students in planning programs and helping with placement into appropriate classes. Courses provided to ESL students target the improvement of English, math and academic skills. Degree credit introductory courses are also available to all ESL students. These courses are useful in vocabulary and concept building, which may be applied to many college programs and are credited, in most cases, to the program of the student’s choice.

Additional services are provided by tutors and mentors located in the ESL and Language Labs. The ESL Lab houses resource materials and computers for students’ use, and the Language Lab offers state-of-the-art audio visual equipment to improve language skills.

The goal of the ESL Support Center is to prepare students whose dominant language is not English to participate with confidence and success in college programs and curricula at Erie Community College. Through the ESL Support Center, students are prepared to have a rewarding experience at ECC.

Courses recommended for ESL students are:

SO 100 - Introduction to Sociology
CH 010 - Preparatory Chemistry*
BI 107 - Human Biology
PH 120 - Environmental Science
MT 001 - Basic Mathematics*
MT 013 - Elementary Algebra I & II*
MT 006 - Elementary Algebra I *
MT 007 - Elementary Algebra II*
SP 100 - Spanish Literature in Translation
OF 101 - Basic Keyboarding
OF 102 - College Keyboarding
SP 210 - Spanish Composition I
SP 211 - Spanish Composition II
DA 106 - Introduction to Microcomputer Applications
BU 140 - Introduction to Business
GS 111 - College Success Skills

Courses recommended for ESL students to improve English language skills are:

EN 030 - Reading/Writing I*
EN 031 - Reading/Writing II*
EN 132 - Reading/Writing III**
EN 137 - Intensive English Grammar for ESL**
EN 040 - Oral/Aural I*
EN 041 - Oral/Aural II*
EN 142 - Oral/Aural III**
EN 147 - Accent Reduction for ESL**

*College credit is given for these courses, which may be used to meet credit requirements of scholarship, financial aid, or immigration programs. These courses may not, however, be used as electives toward graduation.

**Degree credit is given for EN 132, EN 137, EN 142, and EN 147. These courses satisfy Liberal Arts or general elective requirements. In addition, EN 132 helps students prepare for the TWE (Test of Written English). EN 132, EN 137, EN 142, and EN 147 also help students prepare for the TOEFL exam.

Students who participate in our services become graduates of programs and curricula throughout the college upon successful completion of courses.

ESL Scholarships

ESL students at ECC may apply for the Emmanuel & Fallia Phufas scholarship. Other scholarships are available through the ECC Foundation and the community. In addition, the Hispanic Women’s League offers scholarships to eligible Hispanic students. Information may be obtained by contacting the ESL Support Center.

Transfer Students

A transfer student (anyone who has completed at least one course at another college) must follow the admissions procedure as outlined for new students enrolling in a degree or certificate program and must forward an official transcript of all his/her earlier college work to the Admissions Office.

Honors Concentration

Students may apply to the Erie Community College Honors Concentration at the time of their application to the college. Students may also apply to the concentration in subsequent semesters. Although the high school record is strongly considered in admitting students to the concentration, it is not the only consideration. Those with ability and a keen interest in education are also encouraged to apply. Final screening is done through the college placement test and a personal interview.

The Honors Concentration is open to both full and part-time day students in any program.

The concentration provides an enriched academic experience through small honors classes and the Honors Colloquium, which allows for experiences beyond those of the normal classroom such as lectures, trips, debates and discussions.

To graduate as an Honors Concentration Fellow, a student must complete at least five Honors courses, three semesters of Honors Colloquium and maintain a QPA of 3.25. To graduate as an Honors Concentration Associate, a student must complete at least three Honors courses, one semester of honors Colloquium and maintain a QPA of at least 3.25.

Each campus has an Honors Coordinator: at City Campus, Jill Kearns-Bodkin, (716) 270-2968; at South Campus, Christopher Pulinski, (716) 270-2892; at North Campus, Aaron Thomas, (716) 851-1338. Applications may be obtained from the campus coordinator or from the Admissions Office.

ESF Program

Pre-Environmental Science & Forestry

This program is designed for those students who ultimately wish to transfer to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, an upper division/graduate center.

After the first two years of study at Erie Community College, transfers to ESF may apply to a variety of programs at Syracuse which lead to a B.S. degree in the Environmental Sciences and Forestry. They include the biological sciences (botany and forest pathology, entomology, zoology, wildlife biology, pest management); chemistry (natural and synthetic polymers, biochemistry and natural products, environmental); forest engineering; paper science and engineering; wood products engineering; forestry (resource management, forest resource science, management science, environmental education and communications, urban forestry, world forestry, applied resource management) and environmental studies. In addition, the college offers a dual major program in forestry and biology which requires an additional semester in residence. The program in landscape architecture leads to a B.L.A. degree (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture) after three years of study at ESF.

Persons planning to transfer should follow the program requirements in consultation with our Pre-Environmental Science and Forestry campus advisor for selection of electives which vary according to the curriculum at ESF. Successful graduates of Erie Community College’s Pre-Environmental Science and Forestry Program generally gain admission to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with full junior class status. Students who are not able to complete all prerequisites may still be considered for admission with deficiencies. Please consult an Admissions Counselor. ECC also has articulated a 1 + 1 with ESF leading to an A.A.S. degree from ESF in Forest Technology (Forest Ranger). Consult the pre-ESF advisor Dr. Gerald Berkowitz at 851-1559 or at berkowg@ecc.edu for details.

Admissions – Special Programs

Articulation Agreements - earning college credit while still in high school

Articulation agreements allow students to earn college credit by successfully completing a course in high school. Articulation agreements are high school courses that equal entry level college courses. Articulation agreements are made between high school and college faculty to ensure a seamless academic transition from high school to college.

Advantage to Students

  • Eliminates the duplication of learning
  • Reduces the required number of credit hours necessary to graduate from ECC
  • Enroll into a program at ECC with credits already completed in high school
  • Articulated credit is free and is awarded after the student is accepted at ECC

How to Apply for Articulated Credit

  1. Maintain an 85 percent average in the high school course, complete the course and graduate from your high school.
  2. Complete the Articulation Credit/Reference form. Forms are available from high school teachers, guidance counselors, or by calling ECC’s Academic Career Pathways office at (716) 270-2826.
  3. Complete the ECC application. Send the application, the credit form, and a copy of your high school transcript to the ECC Admissions Office at the campus you plan to attend.
  4. You will receive a letter from Admissions confirming your request for Articulation credit.
  5. Inform your advisor at registration about the course(s) you are eligible to receive credit for.

Academic Career Pathways Office

Our programs ease the transition from high school to college and support students throughout their course of study at Erie Community College:

  • Assistance with articulation credit
  • Summer programs to explore technologies for college credit
  • Information sessions regarding technology programs for students and their families
  • Internship programs and after school courses for high school students
  • Profiles of technology and business programs to assist in making the right decision

For more information, contact the Academic Career Pathways office at (716) 270-2826.

Current Articulation Agreements

High schools are listed in the left column with the ECC program that offers the credit listed on the right.

Students must be enrolled in a related program in high school to receive the credit.

High School

 

ECC Program

Buffalo Public Schools   Architectural Technology
Automotive Technology  
Building Management & Trades  
Business Administration  
Computer Aided Drafting/Design Technology  
Computer Information Systems  
Computer Repair Technology  
Computer Science  
Construction Technology  
Early Childhood  
Electrical Engineering Technology  
Hotel Restaurant Management  
Industrial Technology  
Mechanical Engineering Technology  
Medical Office Assistant  
Office Management and Administration  
Telecommunications Technology  
Visual Communication Technology– Graphic Arts/Printing  
   
CAO Head Start
  Early Childhood
     
Childcare Coalition of Niagara Frontier   Early Childhood
     
Cattaraugus-Alleghany BOCES   Automotive Technology
Automotive Trades/Autobody Repair  
Criminal Justice  
Culinary Arts  
Early Childhood  
Electrical Engineering Technology  
Medical Office Assistant  
   
Eden   Architectural Technology
Business Administration  
Computer Aided Drafing/Design Technology  
   
Erie 1 BOCES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Architectural Technology
Automotive Technology  
Automotive Trades/Autobody Repair  
Building Management & Trades  
Computer Aided Drafting/Design Technology  
Computer Information Systems  
Computer Repair Technology  
Criminal Justice  
Culinary Arts  
Dental Laboratory Technology  
Early Childhood  
Electrical Engineering Technology  
Hotel Restaurant Management  
Industrial Technology  
Mechanical Engineering Technology  
Medical Office Assistant  
Telecommunications Technology  
Visual Communications Technology- Graphic Arts/Printing  
   
Erie II BOCES   Architectural Technology
    Automotive Trades/Autobody Repair
    Automotive Technology
    Building Management & Trades
    Computer Aided Drafting/Design Technology
    Computer Repair Technology
    Criminal Justice
    Culinary Arts
    Engineering Science
    Hotel Restaurant Management
    Industrial Technology
    Mechanical Engineering Technology
    Technology and English Department
    Telecommunications Technology
    Visual Communications Technology- Graphic Arts/Printing
     
Genesee Valley BOCES   Automotive Technology
    Culinary Arts
    Hotel Restaurant Management
    Visual Communications Technology- Graphic Arts/Printing
     
Hamburg   Business Administration
    Computer Information Systems
    Drafting Technology
    Emergency Medical Technology
    Industrial Technology
    Office Management
     
Iroquois   Business Administration
    Computer Information Systems
    Office Management & Administration
     
Kenmore East   Mechanical Engineering
    Telecommunications Technology
     
Kenmore West   Mechanical Engineering
    Telecommunications Technology
     
Lackawanna   Business Administration
    Computer Information Systems
    Office Management & Administration
     
Lakeshore   Business Administration
    Computer Aided Drafting/Design Technology
    Computer Information Systems
    Office Management & Administration
    Telecommunications Technology
     
Lancaster   Biology Department
    Health Information Technology
    Medical Office Assistant
     
Monroe 1 BOCES   Automotive Trades/Autobody Repair
     
Monroe 2 BOCES   Automotive Trades/Autobody Repair
     
Niagara Falls   Telecommunications Technology
     
Niagara/Orleans BOCES   Automotive Technology
    Automotive Trades/Autobody Repair
    Criminal Justice
    Culinary Arts
    Electrical Engineering Technology
    Industrial Technology
    Mechanical Engineering Technology
    Telecommunications Technology
    Visual Communications Technology- Graphic Arts/Printing
     
Oneida BOCES   Automotive Trades/Autobody Repair
     
Orchard Park   Architectural Technology
     
Sweet Home   Telecommunications Technology
     
West Seneca East   Business Administration
    Computer Information Systems
    Early Childhood
    Hotel Restaurant Management
    Office Management & Administration
    Visual Communication Technology
     
West Seneca West   Business Administration
    Computer Information Systems
    Early Childhood
    Hotel RestaurantManagement
    Office Management & Administration

Project Lead the Way Articulations

Project Lead the Way is a sequence of courses offered at the high school and BOCES centers for pre-engineering students. Erie Community College has articulation agreements with the following high schools and BOCES centers for Project Lead the Way:

Alden, BOCES I, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Depew, Frontier, Lakeshore, Lancaster, Maryvale, Springville-Griffith, Sweet Home, West Seneca East, West Seneca West, Williamsville East, Williamsville North and Williamsville South.

The following chart lists the high school courses at the top and the ECC departments offering credit on the left side. (For example, if a student completes Intro to Engineering DDP, they are eligible for credit in Construction Management Engineering Technology for CO 202)

Articulation Agreements for Project Lead the Way

ECC Academic Department
Secondary School Courses
Intro To Engineering/ Design (IED)   Engineering Design (EDD) Digital Electronics (DE) Computer Manufacturing (CIM) Principles Engineering (POE) Civil Engineering Architecture (CEA)

Computer Repair

- - CE 240/CE 241(4) - - -
Architectural Tech AR 342 (3) - - - - AR 342(3)
Computer Aided Design DF 106/DF 107 (8) - - - - -
Electrical Eng Tech EL 113(3) - EL 156/EL 157 (4.5)** - - -
Mechanical Eng Tech ME 250 (2) - - ME 208 (2) - -
Computer Science - - CE 240/CE 241 (4) - - -
Engineering Science ES 148/ES 149 (2) - - - ES 138 (1) -
Civil Engineering Tech CI 326 (2) - - - - -
Industrial Tech IT 115 (2) IT 290 (1.5) Pick One Above IT 225 (4) ES 138 (1) -

** EL 156/EL 157 students may have to take a proficiency exam in order to receive credit.

Post-Secondary Articulation Agreements

Cassadaga Job Corps Center Building Management and Maintenance
Central Police Service Criminal Justice
Clarkson Center Health Sciences
Child Care Coalition of the Niagara Frontier Early Childhood
Educational Opportunity Center Computer Repair Technology
Erie County Dept. of Emergency Services Fire Protection Program
Millard Fillmore Hospital Liberal Arts Science
Sisters of Charity Hospital Liberal Arts Science
UAW/Ford—ECC—Buffalo State Industrial Technology
UAW/GM—ECC—Buffalo State Industrial Technology

Cooperative/Dual Degree Articulation Agreement

Erie Community College maintains Cooperative and/or Dual Degree programs with several baccalaureate institutions. For information related to these special programs, contact the Admissions Office.

Joint Admissions Agreements

Erie Community College has entered into a number of Joint Admissions Agreements with area colleges.

Students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in selected areas may begin their program at ECC. Transfer of credit and entry to a parallel major at the four-year school is guaranteed following completion of their first two years at ECC and the attaining of a specific grade point average or required courses listed in the agreement.

Interested students must indicate their interest in Joint Admissions by the end of their first semester of attendance. (Transfer students are not eligible for this option.) The specific four-year unit and intended major must be included in the ECC application. Final acceptance will be verified upon receipt of an acceptance letter from the Admission Office of the four-year unit.

All majors at Buffalo State, Daemen, D’Youville and the University at Buffalo can be selected for Joint Admissions consideration. There is a transfer counselor at each ECC campus who can further explain the program.

Additional Joint admissions agreements are being negotiated. For more information, contact the ECC Campus Counseling Center.

Students not accepted or eligible for the Joint Admissions Program can still transfer under the departmental articulation agreements listed in the charts below.

Departmental Articulation Agreements 

Cooperative Agreements

ECC has entered into several international cooperative agreements leading toward faculty and staff exchanges, as well as joint educational planning and development.

  • Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology– Hamilton, Ontario
  • Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology– Welland, Ontario

Erie Community College admissions decisions and procedures are in compliance with the SED Commissioner’s Regulation 52.2D which states admission of students shall be determined through an orderly process using published criteria which shall be uniformly applied. Among other considerations, the admissions process shall encourage the increased participation in collegiate programs at all levels of persons from groups historically under-represented in such programs.

Admission to the college will not be denied on the basis of age, sex, disability, ethnic origin, nationality, political belief or affiliation, race, or religion.

Registration and Records

Student Records 

The Registrar’s Office is responsible for all student records. These records are kept confidential and will be released upon approval of the campus registrar to appropriate faculty, administrators or federal, state or county officials.

Campus Registrars are located at the following:

  City: Susan Duke, Room 114
  South: Samuel Palumbo, Room 5222
  Director of Registration: Paul A. Lamanna North Campus, Room G157

Student Mailings

Students are responsible to notify and ensure that their mailing address is kept current on the college data files maintained by the campus Registrar’s Office. Mail returned to the college as undeliverable will not be re-mailed. Returned mail will be forwarded to the office issuing the mail and will be held for 30 days, after which time it will be destroyed.

Dropping or Adding a Course

Officially known as Schedule Adjustment, the Drop/Add period allows the student to change his/her semester class schedule. The period begins on the first day of classes and runs through the fifth day.

All Classes Day and Evening Procedure

  1. Students should consult their academic advisor to determine which classes to change.
  2. Class changes can be made utilizing:
    1. WebAdvisor - log into WebAdvisor and click on the registration area and follow the prompts to make the change.
    2. Go to your department or the respective department of the course and have them process a change.
    3. Proceed to the Registrar’s Office and have them process the change.
  3. All course availability will show based on class capacity. Classes that are at capacity will not be overloaded.
  4. Copies of schedule/bills are only available in the Registrar’s Office and it is strongly advised that students obtain a copy of their schedule/bill from the Registrar’s Office once they have processed their change.

Remember: No registration transaction is complete until it is processed through the college’s computer system. Simply attending a class is not a method of official registration. Final grades will not be issued to anyone whose name does not appear on an official roster. It is ultimately the students’ responsibility to make sure that he or she is properly registered for a class.

Withdrawal from a Course

To withdraw from a course, request a withdrawal form from the Registrar’s Office. This form must be signed by the student and submitted to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Remember: No registration transaction is complete until the Registrar’s Office receives the proper forms.

Official Enrollment/Attendance in a Course

Attending a class is not a method of official registration, and final grades will not be issued to anyone whose name does not appear on an official roster. Students who have never attended class within the first three weeks of instruction may be noted as “never attended” on the third-week roster and will be deleted from the course section by the registrar. These students will be financially liable according to New York State law.

Transfer of Credit

The term “transfer” refers to those courses and programs for which students expect to receive credit at any other college or university. All credits to be transferred are subject to review by the receiving institution.

Transcripts

Students who are currently enrolled or attended ECC may obtain transcripts either by sending a request to the Registrar’s Office or by visiting the office and filling out the available form. There is a $5 fee for an official transcript copy.

Confidentiality of Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access.
    Students should submit to the registrar, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The college official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
  2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
    Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
    If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedure will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
  3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
    One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the college has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
    A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
    Upon request, the college discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

Student information is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) established by the Department of Education on November 19, 1974. The regulation provides explicit directions governing the disclosure of student information. College registrars are designated to be the holders of the cumulative academic record. As such, they are charged with the responsibility, other federal/state regulations and professional standards as set by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices (AACRAO).

Information regarding a student’s personal file should be disseminated to third parties only by the office responsible for the collection and maintenance of that information. With the advent of an integrated file system, student information is more readily accessible to faculty and staff. Each individual associated with Erie Community College has a responsibility to be conscious of the rights of students and a need to protect the appropriate office which collects and maintains the information before conveying verbally or in writing information about a student to a third party.

Students may elect to have withheld what is termed Directory Information. The registrars have on file the names of students who have requested that certain information not be released. Individuals may, should they convey information regarding a student to a third party, be in violation of Federal Regulation and a student’s right to privacy.

Public Notice Designating Directory Information

Erie Community College hereby designates the following categories of student information as public or directory information. Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion:

  1. Name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance,“from and to” and class.
  2. Previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors (includes dean’s list) and degree(s) conferred including dates.
  3. Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height, weight of athletes).

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of any category of information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. To withhold disclosure, written notification must be received in the campus Registrar’s Office by October 1/February 1. Non-disclosure of information will commence immediately thereafter and be effective until September 30 of the following year. Written notification to withhold disclosure must be made each academic year. ECC assumes that failure on the part of any student to specifically request the withholding of categories of directory information by the deadline date indicates individual approval for disclosure.

Application for Graduation

Students are responsible for securing and submitting graduation application forms to the Registrar’s Office at least three months prior to graduation.

NOTE: Students must ensure that all degree requirements for graduation have been met, and students who fail to apply for graduation will not be certified as a graduate.

Tuition and Fees

*Tuition and fees are subject to change upon approval of the ECC Board of Trustees and the SUNY Board of Trustees

College Costs

Students should carefully examine the following chart on tuition and fees. While analyzing the costs involved, students should:

  1. Keep in mind that many funding sources are available to help finance his/her education (see the section that follows); and
  2. Remember that excessive part-time employment may jeopardize his/her ability to do well in coursework.

New York State residents who are residents of the sponsorship area, or non-residents of the sponsorship area who present a Certificate(s) of Residence:

Full Time (per academic year) $ 3,187.00

Part Time (per credit hours)

$ 133.00
New York State residents who are not residents of the sponsorship area and do not present a Certificate(s) of Residence:

Full Time (per academic year)

$ 6,374.00

Part Time (per credit year)

$ 266.00
Non-New York State Residents:
 

Full time (per academic year)

$ 6,374.00

Part Time (per credit hour)

$ 266.00
Off Semester, Off Hour, Off Campus
 

Part Time (per credit hour)

$ 45.00
Tuition Deposits:  

Full Time

$ 0.00

Part Time

$ 0.00

Student Service Fees: Specify each fee and the rate per academic year for full-time students and the rate per semester or quarter, credit hour for part-time students.

Collection Fee (% of amount owed)  30%
International Student Admin. Fee (per semester)  $ 150.00
I.D. Card Replacement Fee (per card)  $ 5.00
International Students Health Insurance*  $ 600.00
Lab Fee (per lab)  $ 70.00
Late Payment Fee (not to exceed/semester)  $ 30/$30
Life Experience Assessment Program  $ 70.00
Malpractice insurance (not to exceed/year)  $ 75.00
Tuition Installment Plan Fee  $ 50.00
Returned Check Fee  $ 20.00
Student Accident Insurance*  $ 12.00
Telecourse Fee - Distance Learning Fee/ Course  $ 60.00
Transcript Fee  $ 5.00
Technology Fee (Full-time per Semester)  $ 100.00
Technology Fee (Part-time per Semester)  $ 50.00
Re-registration Fee  $ 50.00
Registration Fee  $ 30.00
*Nursing Test/Evaluation Fee (per semester)  $ 60.00
Application Fee  $ 25.00
First Year Experience Fee  $ 50.00
Independent Study Fee  $ 30.00
Excess Credit Hours - $100 for every 3 credits in excess of 16  $ 100/3 cr.

*Dependent upon premium charged to ECC

  • Residents of New York State outside of Erie County must submit a Certificate of Residence to the ECC Bursar’s Office each year prior to registration. The Certificate of Residence is obtained from the Treasurer of the student’s home county. When received, tuition will be lowered to the resident rate, if received prior to the start of the semester.
  • Lab fees and distance learning fees are assessed on a course-by-course basis.
  • Due to the fluctuating nature of insurance premiums, specific programs may require additional payment.
  • A $50 re-registration fee is added if your bill is not paid by the due date and you reregister after cancellation. Students who do not have tuition and fees paid or deferred by the due date may have their registration cancelled.
  • A $30 registration fee is added to anyone who registers after advance registration.
  • All international students must have International Student Health Insurance or equivalent. Cost may fluctuate depending on age and current insurance rates.

Student Payments

For your convenience, student payments can be made 24 hours a day at ECC’s Web page, www.ecc.edu. Click on the drop down menu titled Quick Links. Find the option Web Advisor to pay your bill. Type in your credit card information and the payment is instantly made. ECC currently accepts MasterCard, Visa or Discover card. All students can log in to Web Advisor to find their information regarding billing, payments and financial aid. If you feel that there are any problems with billing or fees, fill out a billing dispute form, located on the Bursar Web page at http://www.ecc.edu/studentlift/bursar.asp. Upon receipt of your letter, the Bursar will review your account.

Monthly Payment Options

ECC offers a Tuition Installment Plan which allows students to pay for college tuition and fees in a convenient monthly payment. The cost of this plan is $50. There are no other fees or interest charges provided payments are made in accordance with this plan. Students who do not meet their scheduled payments will have their installment privileges removed and will be liable for all tuition and fees immediately. For veterans, ECC will waive the $50 application fee upon approval from the Veterans Department. Visit the Bursar’s Web page for instructions and to download the application.

Tuition Installment Plan

TIP is a sensible alternative to meet the cost of tuition and fees for the academic year. The family budget can be stabilized by paying the annual college cost over a 10-month period as described below.

The Affordable Alternative

  • Avoid lump sum payments due at the beginning of each school term.
  • The convenience of monthly statements.
  • Knowledgeable, experienced customer service staff to answer any questions you may have.
  • This service is provided with no interest charges.

Interest-Free Payments

  • TIP is not a loan program - there are no interest or finance charges. You make regularly scheduled payments over a period of five months.
  • “Pay as you go” on a monthly basis.
  • Reduce your reliance on borrowing.
  • Avoid the need to withdraw savings or other assets.

Procedures for Enrollment

  • Determine the amount you will need to budget for the full school year by using the worksheet provided.
  • Enter the amount which you are budgeting for each term and divide by five. This is your monthly payment. 
  • Mail the tuition installment plan application along with the $50 processing fee and your first payment by the due date.

Once You Have Enrolled

  • We will mail you monthly statements.
  • Payment is due on the 1st of each month.

Terms and Conditions

  • The $50 application fee is non-refundable.
  • Applications will only be accepted if properly completed and accompanied by the application fee and any required payments. Refunds of monies paid to TIP, except the nonrefundable application fee, will be handled according to the college’s refund policy.
  • There will be an administrative charge of $45 if a check is returned for insufficient uncollected funds.
  • The college will assess a late payment fee of $10 for each payment not made in accordance with the established payment schedule and reserves the right not to offer TIP privileges in cases where students have not paid according to their payment schedule.
  • The payment plan cannot be used by international students or to pay a past due balance.

Tip application form, payment schedule and worksheet are available at www.ecc.edu.

For additional assistance, please call Erie Community College at (716) 851-1888 • Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 :30 p.m.

Summary of Important Factors Related to Tuition and Fees

Certainly, one of the first things that individuals considering the benefits of Erie Community College notice is the reasonable price for a high quality education. Pertinent financial information follows:

Registration Cancellation: Students who do not have their tuition and fees completely paid or deferred by the due date may have their registration cancelled. Please see other important information regarding tuition and fees and TIP.

Financial Responsibility: Applicants should be financially prepared to pay tuition and meet other expenses incurred during any year of study.

Collection Costs: Students whose accounts are turned over to a collection agency will be liable for these additional costs. The cost will vary depending on the amount of the debt. The current mark-up will be approximately 30 percent. These accounts may be referred to credit bureaus.

Due Dates: Students who complete registration must pay all tuition and fees by the due date on the bill. Failure to pay tuition on time may result in cancellation.

First Monies: Erie Community College will deduct unpaid tuition from first monies received.

Liability: Registration for a course(s) constitutes full financial liability. FAILURE TO ATTEND ANY CLASS(ES) FOR WHICH A STUDENT HAS REGISTERED DOES NOT ABSOLVE HIM OR HER FROM FINANCIAL LIABILITY. The formal withdrawal or drop process must be followed.

Financial Obligations: Students who have not met prior financial obligations to the college will not be allowed to register or receive any academic records. This includes transcripts official, unofficial, or student copy, as well as grade reports.

Consortium Agreements: Tuition for students with Consortium Agreements is due in full by the due date indicated on the registration bill.

Accident Insurance: Full-time students are automatically charged for a mandatory Accident Insurance Plan that covers unpaid medical/surgical expenses, up to a maximum of $2,500, in the event of most types of accidental injuries that occur either on or off-campus.

Medical Malpractice Insurance: Medical Malpractice insurance is mandatory for all students with client contact (full-or part-time) in the following Health Sciences curricula: Alcohol Counseling, Child Care, Dental Hygiene, Dental Lab, Dietetic Technology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Ophthalmic Dispensing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Emergency Medical Technology, Medical Office Assistant, Medical Lab Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology and Substance Abuse Counseling. This fee will be billed and is non-refundable.

Immunization: Please note that according to NYS Public Health Law, no institution shall permit any student to attend the institution in excess of 30 calendar days if not in compliance with the public health laws. Tuition, fees, and book costs incurred by the student will not be refunded as a result of imposition of New York State Public Health Law 2165 and/or 2167 sanctions.

Tuition fees and book costs incurred by the student will not be refunded as a result of the imposition of the Public Health Law sanctions.

Tuition Refunds: To receive a tuition refund, a student must complete the formal withdrawal process either in the campus Registrar’s Office or the campus Counseling Center. A chart follows which illustrates the time frame for withdrawals and the percentages of tuition refund.

Withdrawal Date

Refund

Before the 1st day of instruction 100%
(Fall or Spring semester)  
During the 1st week of instruction 75%
(Fall or Spring semester)  
During the 2nd week of instruction 50%
(Fall or Spring semester)  
During the 3rd week of instruction 25%
(Fall or Spring semester)  
After the 3rd week of instruction 0%
(Fall or Spring semester)  

NOTE: Summer semester courses must be dropped prior to the first day of instruction to avoid 100 percent financial liability.

NOTE:

  1. The first day of classes is the day the semester begins.
  2. All student fees are non-refundable.
  3. Summer school refunds will be granted only if a drop is processed prior to the first day of instruction.
  4. Refunds will reach students approximately eight weeks after the start of classes.
  5. Legal permanent residents; applicants who are U.S. Visa status of Legal Permanent Residents in the United States must meet state and local residency requirements in order to have their tuition reduced to the in-county rate. All students with a legal non-immigrant U.S. Visa status pay double tuition. Exceptions are for refugee or asylum U.S. Visa holders in legal status. These individuals are considered residents of Erie County as long as they have not resided for a time in a state other than New York and will be charged the in-county tuition rate. Status questions should be directed to the campus Registrar. An individual college registrant will be considered an Erie County resident and be charged in-county tuition rates when that individual is determined to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and to have had a New York State domicile (i.e., a permanent and principal home in New York) for a 12-month (six months of which must be in Erie County) durational period prior to registration. Persons who do not meet this twelve-month and six-month durational requirement will be presumed to be out-of-county residents and will be charged out-of-county tuition rates unless satisfactory proof is presented to show that domicile in Erie County has, in fact, been established. Proof of domicile is based upon official Erie County and New York records provided by the individual and other New York State records.

    Factors relevant to a determination of domicile include:
    • New York State Income Tax Forms    
    • New York State Vehicle Registration or Driver’s License     
    • Federal Income Tax Form       
    • Deed to Real New York State property         
    • Marriage License issued in the State of New York     
    • Proof of receiving Social Services Benefits from Erie County
  1. Legal Permanent Resident students: In-county tuition (single tuition) is only afforded to a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident card holder that meet state and county guidelines (an established permanent and principal residence in New York State for one-year, the last six months in Erie County). The one year qualification must be one full year previous to the beginning of the semester for which single tuition is being considered.

    Documentation for proof of residency is limited to “official” items such as license and taxes and must be dated in order to establish the beginning of the student’s claim for permanence in the state and county. For a U.S. Visa status Legal Permanent Resident card holder, residency date begins “Resident since mm/dd/yy” on the date indicated on the Legal Permanent Resident card.

    All students with a legal non immigrant U.S. Visa status pay double tuition. Exceptions are for refugee or asylum U.S. Visa holder in legal status.

Out-of-County Residents: All students residing outside of Erie County must provide the Bursar’s Office with an out-of-county certificate. Failure to do so will result in double tuition being charged. Certificates can be obtained from the student’s County Treasurer. Certificates must be renewed yearly and filed before the start of the semester of enrollment.

Out-of-County Form and Instructions: For out-of-county instructions and the application form for an out-of-county certificate, visit the Bursar’s Web page at www.ecc.edu.

International Students: Mandatory health insurance is required of all students attending ECC. The fee for coverage will be added to the tuition bill which must be paid prior to the issuing of an I-20. Students covered by comparable health insurance from their home country can have the fee waived. Official documents showing insurance coverage should be submitted to the Central Bursar’s Office located at the South Campus.

Repayment Policy: A student who withdraws, drops out, or is expelled may be required to repay financial aid that was given directly to the student as a cash disbursement to cover living expenses. Living expenses are a student’s educational costs above and beyond the amount the school charges to the student for tuition and fees. A student’s living expenses include items such as room and board allowance, books/supplies, transportation, child care and miscellaneous expenses. If the student’s living expenses incurred up to the time of total withdrawal/drop exceed the amount of cash disbursed, the student has not been underpaid. However, if the cash disbursement was greater than the student’s living expenses up to the withdrawal/drop date, the student must repay the excess amount. This regulation does not affect students who withdraw/drop from some classes but continue to be enrolled in other classes. Only students who have completely withdrawn or dropped and have received cash back for living expenses may owe a repayment. See the Financial Aid Office for details.

Pro Rata Refund and Title IV: Portion of unearned aid credited to student account must be refunded if a student who receives the title IV aid withdraws prior to the end of the ninth week of classes. Unearned aid (paid as a refund) to cover cost must be repaid by the student and then returned to the sources of financial aid.

VISA, MASTERCARD AND DISCOVER ACCEPTED AT ALL BURSAR LOCATIONS IN PERSON OR BY PHONE.