ECC tuition waivers fall on hard times

Elgin Community College is facing challenging times with the current state budget impasse. As a result, the college has had to re-evaluate all of its expenses to save money to account for the shortfall.

One of the cost-saving measures implemented include changing the policy for granting Senior Citizen Tuition Waivers to fully comply with the Illinois Senior Citizens Courses Act.

ECC has been granting such waivers since 1972. However, when the college faced financial challenges, it would revert back to the statutory requirement of 65 years of age with an income requirement.

Starting with this summer term, students must meet certain requirements to receive a waiver. To qualify, students must be at least 65, must meet income requirements outlined in the statute, and must be enrolled in a regularly scheduled credit course. Prior to this change, the college only required students to be 60 or older. Income was not taken into consideration.

Let me emphasize that the college is not terminating the waivers program. This change in policy does not reflect our commitment to serving you and our District 509 community. This was one of many very difficult decisions made due to insufficient state funding. In addition, the college will also sunset other scholarship programs that will be supported by the ECC Foundation.

I want to thank those of you who have called me to express your frustration and disappointment. We appreciate your support over the years.

If you are impacted by this change and you need financial assistance to continue to take classes, I ask you to contact the financial aid office at (847) 214-7360 to find out more about the scholarships offered through the ECC Foundation. More than 200 scholarships are available. I am certain that there is one with your name on it.

David Sam

President, Elgin Community College