2023 - ECC named a 2023-24 Military Friendly® School

Elgin Community College has earned a 2023-24 Military Friendly Schools Silver Designation and a 2023-24 Military Friendly Spouse School Designation by VIQTORY, whose Military Friendly Schools list provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families to find the right school to match their needs and preferences. This is the ninth time ECC has received this designation.

“It is an honor to earn these two designations,” said Anitra King, career and student veteran success specialist. “ECC is proud to serve those who have served our country.” The designation indicates whether student veterans feel welcome and supported enough to stay in school, graduate or transfer, and find gainful full-time employment in their chosen field. 

Resources available to ECC student veterans include the Textbooks for Veterans Program, which allows veterans to purchase their books before classes start instead of waiting weeks for funds through the GI Bill. The college also provides a Veterans Resource Center, a dedicated student support specialist, an academic advisor, and a financial aid/VA certifying official. ECC’s Office of Student Life offers a student organization, Military Branches United (MBU), and a chapter of the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society for those who have completed at least 12 credit hours and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The college is a Student Veterans of America’s Illinois chapter member. 

“The college's Veteran Student Support Team ensures the college follows best practices to meet the needs of our student veterans and their families,” said King. ECC served 157 veteran students during the 2022-2023 academic year. As of summer 2023, there are 36 SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society inductees.

The Military Friendly program creates civilian opportunities for veterans and promotes organizations that invest in programs that improve the lives of veterans. Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation are evaluated using public data sources and responses from a survey completed by the school. The 2023-2024 list includes trade schools, public and private colleges, universities, and graduate schools, with programs from certificate through doctoral degrees. More than 1,800 schools participated in the survey, with 530 earning the designation. The entire Military Friendly Schools list is available at militaryfriendly.com.