Elgin Community College notes

Grant benefits work-study: Elgin Community College is the recipient of a $32,000 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education that helps students academically and financially through work-study opportunities.

The grant, through the education board's Illinois Cooperative Work-Study Program, enhances public-private sector partnerships, reduces student reliance on loans, encourages permanent employment of Illinois graduates in the state, provides links between academic programs and employment and gives students additional information on their chosen career fields.

The grant subsidizes the wages of eligible ECC students while they gain work experience in their chosen career fields. Work-study opportunities are offered to students majoring in all ECC career and transfer programs. For eligible internships, businesses can receive a reimbursement of a portion of the wages paid to the student during the internship period.

The Illinois Cooperative Work-Study Program grant offers a unique opportunity for employers to hire quality employees at a reduced cost, while providing the real-world experience necessary for a student to complete his or her education.

For information about ECC's work-study program, contact the Career Services Office at (847) 214-7399 or visit www.elgin.edu/careerservices.

For local entrepreneurs: Local entrepreneurs and those looking to start a business, are invited to discover what free and low-cost services are available through Elgin Community College, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at a "Starting Your Business in Illinois" workshop on Tuesday, July 15.

The workshop is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Room 103 of the Fox Valley University and Business Center on the Main Campus, at 1700 Spartan Drive., Elgin.

During the workshop, participants learn about the importance of creating feasibility studies and business plans, essential first steps in starting a new business. Participants also learn about available financing options and where to get additional assistance at little or no charge. Participants also receive a business plan workbook to help with initial research.

"A recent survey found seven out of 10 workers long to quit their job to pursue a dream of owning their own business," said Kriss Knowles, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at ECC and the workshop instructor. "This business start-up workshop shows you how."

Cost of the workshop is $25 and registration is required. For details on the workshop or to register, call the Illinois SBDC at (847) 214-7488.