Nontraditional & Returning Students
Welcome to El Camino College! This is a great place to access an excellent education, regardless of your age, career experience, or previous educational accomplishments.
We can help you navigate all aspects of the college experience, such as finding ways to pay for college, securing public transportation, meeting basic needs, and choosing the classes you need to meet your goals.
Education for Everyone
We’re here to help you make a successful transition to El Camino. Need assistance with the college application or registering for classes? We’ve got you. Looking to earn a high school diploma or equivalency? We can direct you to the right place.
Customize your education with the classes you need to meet your goals. We’ll help you stay on track and access the education and information you need to succeed no matter where you are in your academic journey. We offer personalized assistance to returning students, adult re-entry students, and English as a Second Language (ESL) students.
It all starts with an application. Let’s get started!
Apply Today!
Need help? Have some questions? Visit us at the Virtual Information Desk to speak one-on-one with our staff.
What Type of Student Are You?
Welcome to El Camino! Here’s how to get started.
Welcome back!
You are a returning student if you took time off and have not attended El Camino more than two consecutive semesters ago. You simply need to apply again and follow the Path to Enrollment.
Assistance is available with every step – we’re here to help!
Welcome to El Camino!
Congratulations for choosing El Camino to continue your education. You are an adult re-entry student if you are 25 years or older and have been away from higher education for five or more years. Choose education that works with your schedule, including degree programs that lead to university transfer, and career education/training designed to prepare you to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
We can help you through each step. Get started by following the Path to Enrollment.
Welcome to El Camino College!
We’re here to help you navigate the college process. You are an ESL student if your first language was not English, and you were not educated in English-speaking schools prior to El Camino. Explore our ESL program, which has a long tradition of preparing students with listening, speaking, reading, writing, and academic skills so they can be successful in everyday situations, career education, and transfer-level classes.
Choose the ESL program that works best for you and then complete the application.
| Credit ESL | Noncredit ESL | |
| Focus of study/goals | Classes prepare you for college courses or help you earn a degree or certificate in a variety of areas that can lead to careers. | Focus on learning and communicating in English at home, work, and in your community. |
| Cost | ECC enrollment fees | FREE |
Student Resources
Designed to help you succeed.
Financial Aid
Get help paying for college and apply for scholarships.
Public Transportation
Explore transportation options, including the El Camino College Metro U-Pass.
Basic Needs
Review campus and community resources for students needing food, public transportation, clothing, and other assistance.
Counseling
Find assistance with the college experience through counseling services.
Career Exploration
Discover career programs that lead to rewarding jobs.
Parking
Purchase a parking pass and find parking options that are best for your schedule.
Bookstore
The online Bookstore is open 24/7, or come to campus to purchase supplies and ECC gear.
Specialized Support Programs: Discover our specialized support programs that can help you throughout your educational journey.
Are you a veteran? Thank you for your service; now it’s our turn to serve you. We can help you and your eligible dependents plan your education. Be sure to explore our Veterans Resource Center. It’s a great place to study, meet other students, and hang out between classes.
Discover El Camino’s Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) program, dedicated to supporting students who are challenged by language, social, economic, and educational disadvantages. You’ll find counseling, financial aid application assistance, peer mentorship, tutoring, summer enrichment, book services, and other special services.
Explore Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE), a supplemental component of El Camino’s EOPS program that provides support to academically under-prepared, welfare-dependent, single head-of-household students. CARE services include grants, transportation assistance, on-campus meal assistance, community and campus referrals, and family law referrals.
Assistance is available to students through the Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving (FIRST) program. We provide personalized academic and basic needs support to formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students, while addressing systemic barriers they may face. Students can also access training, support groups, and counseling assistance.
Are you a veteran? Thank you for your service; now it’s our turn to serve you. We can help you and your eligible dependents plan your education. Be sure to explore our Veterans Resource Center. It’s a great place to study, meet other students, and hang out between classes.
Discover El Camino’s Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) program, dedicated to supporting students who are challenged by language, social, economic, and educational disadvantages. You’ll find counseling, financial aid application assistance, peer mentorship, tutoring, summer enrichment, book services, and other special services.
Explore Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE), a supplemental component of El Camino’s EOPS program that provides support to academically under-prepared, welfare-dependent, single head-of-household students. CARE services include grants, transportation assistance, on-campus meal assistance, community and campus referrals, and family law referrals.
Assistance is available to students through the Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving (FIRST) program. We provide personalized academic and basic needs support to formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students, while addressing systemic barriers they may face. Students can also access training, support groups, and counseling assistance.
Questions? Contact Us
Warrior Welcome Center