Welcome to the Student Support Programs Page!

Here we will show you some of the wonderful programs and services that are available to you as a student aimed at helping you feel welcomed and supported during your time at ECC.

First Year Experience (FYE):

The First Year Experience Program is designed to prepare you for academic success and to help you in selecting the career path that's right for you. Whether you are transitioning from high school or just beginning your college education, the rigors of college life can present even the best students with challenges that require major adjustments. Sometimes getting started may seem overwhelming, as there are many decisions to make. That's why we have created a supportive environment here at El Camino College where there are people and programs to assist you with your college career

Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS):

Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) at El Camino College is dedicated to the delivery of a comprehensive program that encourages the enrollment, retention, and transfer of students who are challenged by language, social, economic, and educational disadvantages.

EOPS is designed for the purpose of enhancing the success of students in meeting their educational goals and objectives. As a comprehensive program, EOPS is driven by a philosophy of providing services that are "over, above and in addition to" services available to all students. EOPS strives for innovative and creative ways to enhance and encourage students' academic success and excellence, while fostering the student's personal growth and development.

CalWorks:

The El Camino College (ECC) CalWORKs Program provides support to eligible students by helping you obtain your educational degree and/or certificate while gaining valuable work experience. A wide range of services are offered to help you achieve your goals including counseling, case management, job placement, college work study, individual tutoring, and reimbursements for books and supplies. The ECC CalWORKs Program staff is dedicated to providing you guidance, support and the best customer service on campus. Most importantly we want you to know that we're here to serve you and you're always welcome in our office.

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE):

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) was established in 1982 as a supplemental component of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) at El Camino College. The CARE program is designed to provide educational support services to the academically under-prepared, welfare-dependent, single head-of-household student population to help them achieve their educational goals. The intent of the program is to provide support services that help students acquire the education, training, and marketable skills needed to transition from welfare-dependency to employment and eventual self-sufficiency.

Guardian Scholars Program (GSP):

The El Camino College Guardian Scholars Program creates a welcoming and supportive environment for current and former foster youth. Our goal is to empower you to reach your full potential and achieve your academic, personal, and career goals. Guardian Scholars promotes self-advocacy by establishing meaningful connections and a support network within the El Camino College campus community.

The Guardian Scholars Program provides students the opportunity to develop educational dreams and interpersonal skills on their journey towards becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Formerly Incarcerated Re-entry Students Thriving (FIRST):

FIRST is a program designed to provide academic and basic needs support to formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students, while addressing systematic barriers they may face. The goal is to ensure successful completion of their educational journey by providing individualized support. Our focus is to empower and support formerly incarcerated individuals by providing training, support groups, and counseling assistance that directly promotes collaboration among various campus entities.

Honors Transfer Program (HTP):

The HTP provides a unique learning environment that stresses academic excellence and develops the awareness necessary to achieve this goal. The major objective of the program is to prepare students to transfer by focusing on advanced reading, writing, critical thinking, and study skills. Honors courses are academically enriched to stimulate students intellectually, encourage independent critical thinking, and promote close interaction between students and faculty.

LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone Project:

The LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone Project initiative provides opportunities for connection and engagement among students, service members, staff, faculty, and community partners. By creating accessible resources that provide physical, social, and emotional facets of sexual identity, El Camino College hopes to create a space where queer students and their allies can work together toward building community on and off-campus. While our work is inspired by the experience of the LGBTQIA+ community, it is created for the entire El Camino College community.

Project Success:

The mission of Project Success is to aid the successful transition of students from high school to El Camino College and beyond in order to achieve educational and career goals.

Currently, there are over 165 students and 60 mentors actively involved in Project Success. The retention rate from the fall to spring first semester averages between 83-95%. This compares to a 50% retention rate of comparable first year students. Students who complete the program transfer to universities, both in state and out-of-state at a much higher rate and students who transfer complete their bachelor degrees in less than three years after graduation from El Camino College.

Puente Project:

The mission of the Puente Project is to increase the number of educationally underserved students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors to future generations.

Special Resource Center (SRC):

In 1972 El Camino College established a program to assist students with disabilities in their pursuit of a post-secondary education. The purpose of this program is to assist students with disabilities to perform on an equal basis with non-disabled students in an integrated campus setting. In the first year, this program served a total of 65 students. Today, well over 1900 students are currently receiving services.

South Bay Promise:

College is expensive. We want to help! The South Bay Promise offers an affordable pathway directly from high school to college. Enrollment fees for the first and second year will be paid for full-time students and additional services and counseling will be offered to students enrolled in the South Bay Promise.

The South Bay Promise is available to all first-time, full-time college students (regardless of school district) who complete the steps below and attend El Camino College the fall after their senior year.

Veterans Services:

The Veterans Resource Center is designed to be a gathering place for El Camino College student veterans so they can study, get to know one another, and have a place of their own to hang out between classes. Amenities include:

Access to computers
Computer assistance
Study area
Workshops
Referrals to a variety of resources, both at the College and in the community

Staff can help students with paperwork regarding their educational benefits, as well as assist them in becoming successful in the college environment. With excellent academic offerings, affordable fees, small classes, outstanding student services, and a great Los Angeles-area location, El Camino College truly is an excellent way to focus on your future.