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 OR your General Education Diploma (GED) to the Admissions Office of the campus you wish to matriculate; and
3. take the mandatory Placement Test unless you have been granted a waiver. (See Placement Testing)

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 English and math. 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. Completion of the placement test must occur after applying to the college and before the first semester of registration

Placement Test Offices
 

Administrative Office: (716) 270-5124

The following placement tests are available at ECC:

• ACCUPLACER- Computerized placement test consisting of questions in reading comprehension, sentence skills, writing, elementary algebra and arithmetic skills.
• Companion to ACCUPLACER - Provides a paper-and-pencil version of the ACCUPLACER test. This test is 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 or individuals with IEPs. 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.
• Bilingual Placement Test - This is for individuals who are dominant in a language other than English.  Call the ESL Student Support Center to schedule an appointment (716) 851-1079.

Placement Waivers
 

A student’s high school and college transcript(s) are reviewed and he/she is granted a waiver from one or both portions of the placement test based on the following achievements:

For English:

• SAT Critical Reading exam score of 500 or higher;
• ACT English score of 18 and Reading score of 21;
• NYS Regents English III exam score of 85 or greater;
• Advanced Placement (AP) English exam score of three (3) or higher (exempt from EN 110 and EN 111); or 
• Completed a college level English course at an accredited college or university and passed with a grade of C or better.

*English waiver is valid for ten years from the exam date.

For math:

• SAT Math exam score of 500 or higher;
• ACT Math score of 22 or higher;
• NYS Regents Exam Algebra 2/Trigonometry of Math B grade of 85 or higher;
• Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus exam of three (3) or higher; or 
• Completed a college level math course at an accredited college or university and received a grade of C or better.

*Math waiver is valid for three years from the exam date.

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 (EN 023) or both are required of all students who place below a minimal level on the writing section. English courses for degree credit (except EN 114, EN 205, EN 206, EN 275 and EN 285) 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 023, 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
 

Erie Community College accepts on-line admissions applications and on-line international applications. Complete your application from our Admissions page.  If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the admissions office at one of the phone numbers listed below.

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:

• complete a Fresh Start Application packet;
• 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;
• request an unofficial copy of your academic transcript and attached to the completed Fresh Start packet;
• submit the completed Fresh Start packet to the Admissions Office you wish to matriculate; and 
• contact the Admissions Office to schedule an appointment with a counselor to review the completed Fresh Start packet.

Fresh Start Process and Criteria
 

• All grades earned at ECC will remain on the transcript.
• 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.
• The student must accept all current academic program or college requirements at the time of acceptance into the Fresh Start Program.
• Students must apply to a new academic department.
• 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.
• The Fresh Start Program is extended only once during the student’s enrollment at ECC.
• 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.
• 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 either have been previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses; and/or 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.

Persons reporting one or more criminal offenses and convictions will need to submit :

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

Persons reporting disciplinary dismissals and/or expulsions from previous colleges or universities will need to submit:

• 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 decisions 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. 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:
 

• there is direct relationship between the ECC campus community and one or more of the previous criminal offenses and/or dismissals or expulsions; or
• 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.

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. Among those factors that will be included in the admission decision are:
 

• 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;
• the time that has elapsed since the occurrence of the criminal offense(s) and/or dismissal or expulsion;
• the age of the person at the time of occurrence of the criminal offense(s) and/or dismissal or expulsion;
• the seriousness of the offense(s) and/or dismissal or expulsion;
• any information produced by the applicant, or produced on the applicant’s behalf, in regard to his/her rehabilitation and good conduct;
• the legitimate interest of the college in protecting property, and the safety and welfare of specific individuals or the general public;
• 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;
• appropriateness of the applicant’s background for the academic program requested; and 
• 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/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/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 Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008, Erie Community College does not discriminate against people with disabilities. Individuals who are disabled are required to meet the same admission 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
 

First, secure a SUNY Undergraduate application from a high school counselor, ECC Admissions Office or Student Support Centers. Complete this common admissions application, then send the application and fee to:

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

Applicants may also apply directly to ECC by visiting the Admissions page and complete the application at no cost.

Once the application is mailed or submitted, you may await word from the ECC Admissions Office regarding the status of the application. Applicants will be notified as early as possible. On average a student will receive notification within 3-4 weeks once his/her file is complete with all the necessary documentation required for admission. All incoming students are required to take their determined placement test. Students who score at an inappropriate level on the placement test will be contacted by an ECC staff person to discuss available options. Location information for all ECC Admissions offices is as follows: 

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

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

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

(International Application)
ECC North Campus
International Student Office, G-128
6205 Main St.
Williamsville, NY 14221-7095
(716) 851-1359

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.

Veterans
 

With the option of choosing from numerous degree or certificate programs available during the day, evening, weekend or online, Erie Community College is the first choice among veterans in Western New York for job readiness training or beginning their education with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution.

To address the specific needs of reservists, veterans and their family members, faculty and staff are provided with ongoing training to ease the transition from the military to academia. In addition to the numerous support services available, each of the three campuses has a dedicated office staffed with a school certifying official to certify for educational benefits under the following programs: Chapter 30, Chapter 33 (post 9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 35, Section 1606 and 1607, and Chapter 31. Military transfer credits are also accepted. Scholarship opportunities are offered for veterans and additional grants may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office. A tri-campus Veterans Club has been established for members to share camaraderie and information about benefits and services provided at the college and in the community.

Service Members Opportunity College
 

Erie Community College has been designated as an institutional member of the Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium, a group of more than 1,900 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 from 13 to 15 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 of these programs can be obtained by contacting the Veterans Affairs representative at any of the campuses.

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.

• The Application: The International Application is available at www.ecc.edu. 
• 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. Nursing, Dental Hygiene and several other academic programs are very competitive and admission is on a space availability and academic credentials. The application deadline 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.
• 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: Tuition for one semester is approximately $3,800 USD. This does not include insurance, lab fees, books or equipment. Tuition is subject to change after publication of this college catalog. 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.  Minimum enrollment is for 12 months and cost approximately $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.
• Student Housing: There is private student housing in close proximity to the City Campus. It is anticipated that private student housing will be in close proximity to the North Campus and the South Campus in Fall 2012.  For a list of possible available housing, please contact the Dean of Students or visit the buffalonews.com.
• 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.
• 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. 
   

Return the official high school transcript, the official high school diploma, the official translation of the high school transcript and high school diploma, and the official bank statement 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 required official documents should be mailed to:

Erie Community College, North Campus

International Student Office, G-128

6205 Main Street

Williamsville, New York 14221-7095

USA

ESL (English as a Second Language) Support Center

 

A broad range of services are offered to students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds whose dominant language is not English. Students seeking assistance with entrance requirements, college procedures, and other areas of college life are encouraged to visit the center at City Campus, Room 203 or call (716) 851-1079 for help.

ESL placement testing is also conducted through the ESL Student Support Center to determine skills levels in English and math. Prospective students should call (716) 851-1079 for an appointment. In addition, the center offers bilingual, Spanish-English support and Spanish speaking faculty are available for academic help. Arabic, Farsi, and Nuer are some of the other languages spoken by the staff at the center. Spanish language support is also available in the Admissions Office, the Multilingual Lab, and the Child Development Center.

The ESL Student Support staff coordinates academic advisement with the student’s program. They work with students to plan programs of study and provide guidance in choosing 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. Tutors and mentors in the ESL Student Support Lab and the Multilingual Language Lab provide additional support. 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 003 - Pre-Algebra Review
    *
• MT 006 - Basic Algebra Review
    *
• MT 013 - Elementary Algebra
    *
• SP 206 - Spanish Literature in Translation
   
• OF 101 - Basic Keyboarding
   
• OF 102 - College Keyboarding
   
• SP 201 - Spanish Composition I
   
• SP 202 - 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 GPA 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 GPA of at least 3.25.

Applications may be obtained from the campus Honors Coordinator or from the Admissions Office.

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
 

• Maintain an 85 percent average in the high school course, complete the course and graduate from your high school.
• 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.
• Complete the ECC online application and indicate that you are eligible for credit.
• Send the credit form and a copy of your high school transcript to the ECC Admissions Office at the campus you plan to attend.
• You will receive a letter from Admissions confirming your request for Articulation credit.
• Inform your advisor at registration about the course(s) you are eligible to receive credit for.

Academic Career Pathways Office
 

The Academic Career Pathways Department works to develop students while in high school by supporting career and technical education programs and to transition students from high school to career-focused academic programs at ECC. Some of the services offered include:

• grant assistance for local high schools to enhance Career and Technical Education programs; 
• student tours of ECC academic programs and local industries; 
• summer programs to explore different career opportunities; 
• professional development for teachers and faculty to learn about local industry needs and new technologies;
• assistance with ECC articulation credit for students completing a Career/Technical program in high school;
• orientations for incoming technology student; and 
• mentoring for students enrolled in technology programs. 

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.  The agreements are effective from 2008.

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, Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES , Cheektowaga, Clarence, Depew, Erie 1 BOCES, Frontier, Lake Shore, 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
 

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

Dual/Joint Admissions Agreements
 

Erie Community College has entered into a number of  Dual/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 an associates degree at ECC and the specific requirements, grade point average and/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. 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

Listed below is a brief explanation of three main ways in which a student at ECC may transfer to another college. Should you have any questions with respect to transferring to another college that may not be addressed here, please visit a Student Support Services Center located at any one of our three campus locations.

• Major to major articulation agreement: This is an agreement between a specific major at ECC and a specific major at a four year college. This type of agreement informs students that a major taken at ECC is an appropriate match for the major a student intends on transferring into at the four year college. (example: an associate’s degree in math at ECC will count as the first two years of a statistics degree at college “X”).
• Course to course articulation agreement: This is an agreement between a particular department at ECC and a particular department at a four college. Both departments have agreed that a certain course taken at ECC will transfer as an equivalent match for a course at the four year college. (example: biology 107 taken at ECC will count as biology 110 at college “X”).
• Dual Admission articulation agreement (sometimes called joint admission): This is a special type of major to major articulation agreement for a ‘first time’ college student with no more than 30 credits already completed at ECC. Some benefits of dual admission include guaranteed* acceptance to the four-year college; access to four-year college advisors while attending ECC; and advance registration for the four year college while attending ECC.

 * Acceptance to all four year college programs is always dependent upon meeting minimum grade point average requirements. Any questions relating to this information can be directed to a transfer counselor at one of our three campus locations.

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:

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

• Students should consult their academic advisor to determine which classes to change.
• 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.
• All course availability will show based on class capacity. Classes that are at capacity will not be overloaded.
• 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 or download from WebAdvisor. 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:

• 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;
• 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;
• 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; and 
• 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:

• name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance,“from and to” and class;
• previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors (includes dean’s list) and degree(s) conferred including dates; and 
• 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:

• keep in mind that many funding sources are available to help finance his/her education (see the section that follows); and
• 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:

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.

*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 re-register 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 at http://elinks.ecc.edu/forms/disputeform.asp. Upon receipt of your letter, the Bursar will review your account.

Monthly Payment Options
 

ECC offers an Automatic Payment Plan which allows students to pay for college tuition and fees in a convenient monthly payment. The cost of this plan is $75 per semester.

Automatic Payment Plan
 

Disclaimer: The amount of money that a student owes (student balance) is based on the number of credit hours that a student has registered for as well as any fees that apply. The actual billing amount is based on the results of the student’s current registration less any certified financial aid that might apply. The aforementioned amount may be different from your web information as it offers the most accurate account information that coincides with the actual registered credit hours. Payment arrangements will adjust with any changes that a student makes to their schedules. As changes (registrations less certified financial aid) are made to an account, the service provider, Nelnet will contact the plan participant as to how this affects their payment amount.

Please note if your pending financial aid exceeds your tuition and fees the financing amount will be “0” and you are not required to join a plan at this time.

Benefits
 

• Easy online enrollment.
• Monthly payment plan.
• No interest.
• Up to four months of payments.

Payment Methods
 

• Automatic bank payment (ACH)
• Credit/debit card.

Procedures for Enrollment

• To enroll in the payment plan, go to Automatic Payment Plan (https://webadvisor.ecc.edu/wwiz.exe/wwiz.asp?wwizmstr=XEA1). Enter in your student ID number for your username. If this is the first time you are visiting the site, enter your six digit date of birth with the slashes (mm/dd/yy) for your password. If you have forgotten your student ID number, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@ecc.edu or call (716) 851-1835. Then select a term from the pull-down menu and click on the Calculate Tuition button.
• Click the e-Cashier link to begin the enrollment process. Read the instructions and click on the Proceed button.
• Complete the Personal Information form and click on the Proceed button.
• Complete the Account Information page and click on the Proceed button.
• Carefully review the Final Review and the Terms and Conditions. If you agree to the Agreement Statement, select the Submit and Activate button. Print a copy of your agreement for your personal records.

e-Cashier Availability
 

Availability of e-Cashier is determined by Erie Community College. Please be aware the college may elect not to have e-Cashier available during specific times and dates during registration.

My FACTS Account
 

My FACTS Account is a service provided which enables you to view the current status of your payment plan. Once you complete your payment plan through e-Cashier, you will receive instructions to set up your My FACTS Account.

Balance Adjustments

Please do not assume your balance will automatically be adjusted if financial aid is received or a class is dropped or added. You should review your agreement balance online through My FACTS Account or contact the Bursar Office at (716) 851-1888 to confirm the change.

Cost to Participate

• $75 enrollment fee per semester (ACH and credit/debit card).
• $25 fee if a payment is returned.

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. Students who register and are cancelled during the first week of classes will be assessed tuition liability.
• 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 Date: 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. Students who register and are cancelled during the first week of classes will be assessed tuition liability.
• 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 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 able 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 of 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, Medial 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 students 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.

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

Students should also note the bulleted points below. 

• The first day of classes is the day the semester begins.
• All student fees are non-refundable.
• Summer school refunds will be granted only if a drop is processed prior to the first day of instruction.
• Refunds will reach students approximately eight weeks after the start of classes.
• 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; and proof of receiving Social Services Benefits from Erie County. 
• 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 on-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 county 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 allowances, books/supplies, transportation, child card 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 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, BY PHONE OR ONLINE AT www.ecc.edu.