Marple - 610-359-5347
Founders Hall, Room 3545
www.dccc.edu/veteran-and-military-services/

Delaware County Community College offers veterans in our community opportunities to start on a degree, earn a professional certificate, or train for a high-paying career. The College’s Nazz Mariani Veterans Center, named in honor of World War II Army veteran Nazz Mariani, is equipped with study spaces with computers, a coffee station, and other amenities. Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits can be used at the College, and veterans receive preferential registration ahead of other students of like standing. To see the dates for upcoming sessions, go to www.dccc.edu/register.

To learn more, visit the Veteran and Military Services web page.

The Nazz Mariani Veterans Center

Located in room 2570 of Founders Hall on the Marple Campus, DCCC’s Nazz Mariani Veterans Center is named in honor of World War II Army veteran and Delaware County native Nazzareno 'Nazz' J. Mariani. The Nazz Mariani Center is intended to serve those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. The Center is open to anyone who is actively enrolled in classes at any of our campuses, including online, and a member of the veteran community.

The Veterans Center is equipped with computers, a large flat-screen television, and a coffee station, among other amenities. This space serves as the centralized hub for DCCC's Veteran Community, and is intended for socializing, studying, relaxing, and for veteran-focused programming. The Veterans Center is open and staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and is often accessible after regular hours for student veterans (except when the college is fully closed). All entrants must sign in at the front desk (located just inside the door) to use the Veteran Center. Note: The Veterans Center is closed on Fridays during the summer when the College is closed. 

Veterans Benefits

Pennsylvania National Guard Benefits

Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard education benefits can be used at Delaware County Community College. National Guard benefits cover the full cost of tuition at the College for those who are eligible, excluding the cost of fees. For more information, visit www.pa.ng.mil/education/ or contact 717-865-4529.

Federal Benefits

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits can be used at Delaware County Community College. Veterans and the spouses and dependents of veterans may be eligible for benefits. For more information, visit www.gibill.va.gov or call 888-442-4551.

Preferential Registration

Veterans receive preferential registration ahead of other students of like standing. To see the dates for upcoming sessions, go to www.dccc.edu/register and for latest priority date, visit the Events Calendar.

Benefits Request Process

Before you register for classes, verify your program status. All students wishing to use any Veterans Educational Benefits must submit a Certification Request Form (CRF) to DCCC every semester or your benefits cannot be processed for certification. If you will be using educational benefits for the first time, once you register for classes, you must provide the College with the following items:

EAP (National Guard)

  • A DCCC Certification Request Form (CRF)
  • A copy of the veteran's DD-214 

**This benefit typically doesn't pay out until the end of the semester**

Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E Chapter 31)

  • A DCCC Certification Request Form (CRF)
  • A copy of the veteran's DD-214
  • Notification Letter and Purchase Order by the VA VR&E Counselor

All other Benefits

  • A DCCC Certification Request Form (CRF)
  • A copy of the veteran's DD-214
  • A certificate of eligibility (COE) from the VA

Communicating with the College

  • Students using Veterans Benefits may receive priority registration each semester.
  • You must complete a DCCC Certification Request Form (CRF) each time you enroll in classes for a new term. This form should be submitted after you register for classes and ideally at least 30 days before the start of the term.
  • Once you submit the necessary documentation, as long as receipt has been acknowledged by Veteran Services and has been verified as correct, your classes will be protected from being dropped while DCCC waits to receive payment from the VA and/or the state.
  • Communication is important throughout the entire benefits process to prevent errors. It is the student's responsibility to both ensure that all documentation has been submitted in a timely manner, and that they have been acknowledged as received by Veterans Services. The Veteran Services Coordinator does not have access to the VA's financial systems and cannot answer most payment related questions. Because the school works with the VA to process and certify your benefits, you may need to communicate at times with both the VA (the Government Agency), and DCCC's Veteran Services Office (not part of the Government Agency and located on Marple Campus in Founder's Hall).

It is your responsibility to notify DCCC Veterans Services of any changes to your schedule or major in a timely manner. Contact the Veterans Services Coordinator at the contact information above as needed to notify of any changes. Delays or errors can incur additional fees from either/both the VA and DCCC.

Veterans FYI

Items that can be addressed at the College:

  • All first-time VA benefit recipients.
  • VA benefit recipients whose classes have been dropped due to non-payment.
  • VA benefit recipients confirming the College has received all documentation necessary to process their military education benefits.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation students unable to obtain their books from the bookstore.
  • Counsel for students who are considering withdrawing or who have withdrawn from classes.

Items that cannot be addressed at the College:

  • VA benefit recipients who have not received payment from the VA. Students are advised to contact the VA at 888-442-4551. 
  • VA benefit recipients who confirming benefits amounts and balances. Students are advised to contact the VA at 888-442-4551.
  • VA benefit recipients attempting to register for classes. (Student should contact the College’s Student Services Center.)

Veterans FAQ:

Will my classes be dropped for nonpayment if my benefits aren’t processed in time?
Possibly, unless you provide us with a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for the veteran whose benefits are being used along with a certificate of eligibility or a printout of the confirmation page showing that you requested the benefit.

I spoke to the VA and they said that the College has not certified my enrollment. When will my benefits be processed?
You must submit a Certification Request Form (CRF) every semester that you intend to use Veterans Educational Benefits (regardless of benefit type), otherwise Veterans Services must assume that you are not intending to use any benefits. If you submitted your CRF and all other necessary documentation in a timely manner, DCCC Veterans Services will typically process enrollment certifications with the VA one month prior to the start of each term. As always, communication throughout the process with DCCC Veterans Services is essential. You may check on the status of your benefits at any time by contacting the VA at 888-442-4551.

Why did I receive a debt letter from the VA?
The VA initiates debt letters when students withdraw from classes. You should reach out directly to the VA at 888-442-4551 for any questions related to VA payments or any VA debts incurred, but you can also bring the debt letter to Enrollment Central in Founders Hall for clarification of charges on the DCCC side if needed.

Can taking fewer classes impact my education benefits?
Yes. The amount you receive in VA education benefits is partially based on how many classes you enroll in. Additionally, for Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (the most commonly used benefit) monthly housing allowances require the equivalent of greater than half-time enrollment.

I’m using VR&E (Chapter 31) benefits. How can I get my books for class?
The bookstore is provided with a list of all students receiving VR&E benefits. If you’re using vocational rehabilitation benefits, go to the bookstore and let them know that you are a VA student. You will need to give the staff your name, student id#, DCCC email address for them to be able to access your VA account information.

What am I allowed to purchase from the bookstore with my VR&E benefits?
VR&E benefits may only be used to purchase textbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils and other supplies explicitly listed on the syllabus for each class in which you are enrolled.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.