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Why ECC?
Essex County College (ECC) will receive up to $305,000 as part of the state’s Community College Innovation Challenge. This grant, awarded to all community colleges that applied, is but a small piece of Gov. Murphy’s multi-million dollar Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG). The ultimate goal of the CCOG is to provide free community college tuition for state residents who meet specific economic guidelines.
These funds will be utilized in order to continue the affordable, high quality education which ECC has provided its students for 50 years. Bolstered by the state money, ECC will continue to enhance our support and wraparound services to students while our College, as always, develops new programming to help satisfy the needs of a constantly evolving future. By next fall the College anticipates receiving additional dollars from the governor’s Student First Initiative.
“When fully implemented, this initiative will be boon for the entire state of New Jersey, and especially for the many residents who will be eligible for the free tuition,” said Essex President Dr. Anthony E. Munroe. “It is extremely important we work together to position ourselves to take full advantage of state CCOG money as it becomes available over the next few years.”
As you know, ECC is fully-accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, serving the dynamic needs of diverse constituencies through comprehensive educational programs and services. In today’s ever changing economy, more and more New Jersey residents will need a post-secondary credential or degree for a career that provides a family sustaining wage. That’s extremely important right here in Essex County, where some 15 percent of all residents do not possess a high school diploma.
ECC has comprehensive Financial Aid and Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) programs with over 70 percent of ECC students receiving such assistance. Additionally, ECC students receive over $700,000 in scholarships and grants each year. Still, there is a large population in Essex County in need of tuition assistance.
Our accomplishments are many. Since 2012, ECC has been one of the leading two-year institutions in the nation in producing Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholars who receive up to a $120,000 award from this prestigious organization.
We were recognized as a “Rising STEM Star in Northern New Jersey” in the August edition of University Business magazine for our many nationally-recognized science and allied health degree programs. About 40 percent of our graduates earn their Associate degree in one of the STEM fields. Our Division of Business is one of only two New Jersey community colleges accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools & Programs.
A recent Stanford University study found that ECC students have greatly increased their earning power over the past few years. In fact, the study showed that 30 percent of Essex students moved up two or more income quintiles after graduation, which ranked the institution 26th out of the 690 two-year colleges surveyed. Each quintile jump is a 20 percent increase.
College Choice named Essex County College the 50th Best Community College for 2017.
ECC is New Jersey’s only two-year College designated a Predominantly Black and a Hispanic Serving Institution.
We must continue to position ourselves to take advantage of programs that will provide our most deserving students the money necessary to continue their education. If you want ECC to be part of your life please visit https://essexedu2483.wpengine.com/why-ecc/ or call 973-877-3100 for more information.