First-Generation Student Success

Enrollment Steps – Once you apply, you should get an email with the enrollment steps. You can click on this link for detailed information.

Course Placement – To determine which English and Math Course you should take, the College has a few ways to assess which course will set you up for success.

Placement Waivers – Depending on your scores, you can sometimes determine course placement using SAT, ACT or PSAT scores or AP test scores. For more information you can reach out to Assessment Services at610-359-5322.

Taken a college level English or Math course? If you have taken and passed a college level English or Math course at another College or University, you can bring unofficial transcripts to meet with an advisor or send Official transcripts to DCCC to waive placement. Click here for more information or contact Assessment Services at610-359-5322.

Placement Testing – To determine which English and/or Math class will set you up for success, you can take a placement test at the Testing Center.

Prepare for your test: You can find study materials to prepare for the test at accuplacer.collegeboard.org.

Results: After you complete your placement test, reach out to Career and Counseling to schedule an appointment.

If you take the test and you feel that the results are not reflective of your abilities or placement, you have the option to retake the test up to 2 times. If you are going to retake the test, we encourage you to go to accuplacer.collegeboard.org to utilize the study materials before retaking.

If you earn a 4 on the Essay, note that a 5 will place you in college-level English. Often students who choose to retake the Essay portion of the test will get that extra point by carefully proofreading, checking for grammar and punctuation, and fully responding to the prompt.

Test scores are valid for 3 years.

Visiting Students

• Do I need to take the placement test? For more information about what documentation you need to provide as a visiting student, click here and refer to “Step 1: Gather Documentation & Class Information.” If you have further questions, please  reach out to Career and Counselingto schedule an appointment or call 610-359-5324.

• Can I use Financial Aid at multiple institutions? For general information click here and refer to Step 4: Create a Plan to Fund Your Class(es). There is information under “Please Note:” that addresses this. If you have further questions, please contact Enrollment Central at one of the windows at each campus, or you can email Financial Aid at finaid@dccc.edu for more personalized information. 
• I’m getting a pre-requisite error when I’m trying to schedule classes. For more information about what documentation you need to provide as a visiting student, click here and refer to “Step 1: Gather Documentation & Class Information.” If you have further questions, please  reach out to Career and Counselingto schedule an appointment or call 610-359-5324.

Coming back to DCCC?

• Do I need to retake the Placement Test?

• Taken a college level English or Math course at DCCC? If you have completed a College level English or Math course at DCCC you do not need to retake the placement test. 

• Taken a college level English or Math course at another institution? If you have taken and passed a college level English or Math course at another College or University, you can bring unofficial transcripts to meet with an advisor or send Official transcripts to DCCC to waive placement. Click here for more information or contact Assessment Servicesat 610-359-5322.

Transcript Evaluation – Once you’ve sent your transcripts in, you need to check your DegreeWorks or follow-up with Assessment Servicesat 610-359-5322. No one will call you to tell you your transcript has been evaluated but you can check the results by logging into DegreeWorks through yourDelaGATE Student Portal.

Placement test scores are valid for 3 years.

• How do I change my major? If you want to change your major or have questions about other majors, you can reach out to Career and Counseling to schedule an appointment.

Canvas  

You can find all your classes (online and in-person) listed in Canvas but logging into delaGATE and clicking on the “Apps” button. 

Finding your classroom

Your classroom should be listed on your syllabus for each in-person class. Note that some online classes may have in-person labs. 

You can also find information about your class by logging onto  delaGATE, clicking the “Students” tab and scrolling down to “View your class schedule.”

Marple Campus  http://dccc.edu/campus/marple-campus/ 

Digital Learning

The Digital Learning team provides students with support for online courses, Canvas and other digital learning resources. For help in an online course or with Canvas or any digital learning resources contact Digital Learning.

Financial Aid 

One of the keys to success in college is having a plan to pay for it. Applying for financial aid should be part of your plan because of the various options available to you. FAFSA is Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is how you apply for financial aid including Grants and loans. The Financial Aid office can help you complete the application and understand what types of financial aid are available. For more information visit Financial Aid.

Student Accounts/Enrollment Central

The Student Accounts/Enrollment Central office handles tuition and fees, and policies. In addition, the office can answer questions related to billing and payments,  books store credits, third party billing, and refunds. The Student Accounts/Enrollment Central team is available at all Enrollment Central campus locations.

To learn more about tuition and fees visit the tuition and fees webpage. 

Did you know that there are payment plan options available to help with paying your tuition? Visit the payment plan webpage and contact  Student Accounts/Enrollment Central to learn more.

Scholarships

The College awards a certain amount of scholarships to students each year. Visit the Scholarships webpage to learn more or contact Financial Aid.

Learning Commons

Located on the fourth floor of Founders Hall, the Learning Commons serves as a center for students, faculty and staff in a dynamic space that supports the College’s commitment to student success. Academic support services found in the Learning Commons include Library Services, Writing and Tutoring Services. The Learning Commons also offers a wide variety of technology including portable and assistive technologies. Students can also use quiet and collaborative study spaces (with whiteboards and computer display screens) and purchase items at a coffee bar.

Bookstore

The campus bookstore sells more than textbooks. They drive student success and savings by providing convenient access to a wide selection of school supplies, trade books, technology, fan gear and of course, cost-saving textbook options.

Essential Student Resource Center

The purpose of the Student Resource Center is to enhance student wellness, engagement, success, retention and completion by supporting our students comprehensively from the initial day of enrollment through degree completion and beyond.

Tutoring

Professional tutors with advanced degrees and practical teaching experiences and peer tutors selected based on grades and faculty recommendation offer assistance campus-wide in a variety of subjects including English, reading, mathematics, social sciences, business, languages, sciences and English as Second Language classes. Assistance can be received by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Tutoring can be scheduled through your  delaGATE and your Connect2Success account. Click here for more information.

You can also find information about tutoring services through the Learning Commons.

Brainfuse

If you find that you need help outside of regular tutoring hours, Brainfuse is an additional FREE online tutoring service that is available to students 24/7. You can access Brainfuse by Logging into your delaGATE. Click the “Apps” button, then click the Brainfuse menu item.

Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is committed to providing students with disabilities reasonable accommodations and the necessary support to reach their educational goals. The Office works closely with students and faculty to foster success.

Career and Counseling

Career and Counseling provides a variety of services including Academic Advising and Registration, Personal Counseling, Career Counseling, Transfer Advising, Disability Services, Workshops and Events, Safe Space Training and the Suicide Prevention Committee. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact the Career and Counseling Center.

Academic Advising 

Academic advising is a dynamic process to assist students in choosing a class or two, setting up a full-time semester, or mapping out an entire academic plan for a certificate or associate degree. Whatever our students need, our academic advisors can provide for our individual students. Advisors are available to assist with registration and course planning, career counseling, transfer advising and personal counseling. For more information contact Career and Counseling.

Personal Counseling

We recognize that there may be times when you need to talk to someone, especially if your personal issues or responsibilities are interfering with your studies. We’re here to help. The Career and Counseling Center has counselors available to meet with students to help them work through any difficulties. We can also refer you to outside resources if you’re seeking long-term counseling or support; the Center maintains a list of community resources for this purpose.

Digital Learning

The Digital Learning team provides students with support for online courses, Canvas and other digital learning resources. For help in an online course or with Canvas or any digital learning resources contact Digital Learning.

Veterans Resource Center 

Veterans Resource Center can help students using military benefits complete required forms and documentation for military benefits as well as priority registration for veterans.

KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success)

KEYS is a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare program designed to help recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) succeed in community college by providing resources for success. KEYS provides a Student Facilitator at Delaware County Community College to help students achieve career goals by: 

• Providing career counseling, tutoring and academic support, including help with financial aid
• Facilitating supportive services available through the County Assistance Office or the College
• Connecting students to other community service agencies

Essential Student Resource Center

The purpose of the Student Resource Center is to enhance student wellness, engagement, success, retention and completion by supporting our students comprehensively from the initial day of enrollment through degree completion and beyond. The Learning Commons also offers a wide variety of technology including portable and assistive technologies.

Personal Counseling

We recognize that there may be times when you need to talk to someone, especially if your personal issues or responsibilities are interfering with your studies. We’re here to help. The Career and Counseling Center has counselors available to meet with students to help them work through any difficulties. We can also refer you to outside resources if you’re seeking long-term counseling or support; the Center maintains a list of community resources for this purpose.

Family Advocacy Center

Provides free legal support, advocacy, and referrals to the entire DCCC community.

Laptop Loan Program

Located on the fourth floor of Founders Hall, the Learning Commons serves as a center for students, faculty and staff in a dynamic space that supports the College’s commitment to student success. Academic support services found in the Learning Commons include Library Services, Writing and Tutoring Services. The Learning Commons also offers a wide variety of technology including portable and assistive technologies. Students can also use quiet and collaborative study spaces (with whiteboards and computer display screens) and purchase items at a coffee bar

Athletics & Campus Engagement

The Athletics & Campus Engagement office coordinates campus life activities. This includes most student activities such as Athletic and recreational activities from intercollegiate teams and intramural sports, Student Clubs and organizations, a campus art gallery, student theatre, Student Government Association, Events and cultural programs and special programs for off-campus students. For more information contact Athletics & Campus Engagement. 

DCCC Engage

You can log into DCCC Engage found in delaGATE by clicking on the “Apps” button. DCCC Engage is a centralized location where you can find out information regarding most campus activities.

Student Employment

Student Employment Services & Co-op Center staff continues to provide job search assistance for our students and alumni using a variety of tools. Available by appointment for individual job search coaching and resume review by phone or personalized zoom meetings.

Work Study: The Student Employment office can help you with Work Study positions. Work Study is a part-time job that is conveniently located on campus or in your community. Work Study is a financial aid program that provides funding for eligible students to work on campus or at local non-profit organizations. Students work up to 10-15 hours a week for more information contact Student Employment.

If you have taken and passed a college level English or Math course at another College or University, you can bring unofficial transcripts to meet with an advisor or send Official transcripts to DCCC to waive placement. Click here for more information or contact Assessment Services at 610-359-5322. 

Official transcripts 

Official transcripts are certified, unopened academic records sent directly to your desired institution. Official transcripts allow you to receive official credit for courses taken. 

Unofficial transcripts

Unofficial transcripts are uncertified and can be typically downloaded by the student. Unofficial transcripts can be used for academic planning or preliminary assessment. 

Assessment Services

Assessment Services provides services including Testing (including placement testing), Transfer of Credit into the College, Credit for Prior Learning, Academic Advisement and other services that support students’ progress towards their academic goals. For more information contact the Assessment Services Office.

Transfer Information

Make an appointment with your transfer advisor in your first semester at DCCC (before you get 30 credits). You can choose up to 3 schools for each appointment. 

Among the many benefits of attending the College is the range of transfer agreements to four-year institutions to continue the pursuit of higher learning. Visit the Transfer Agreements  page to learn about the specific types of agreements available.

In addition to the range of transfer agreements between the College and four-year institutions, the Transfer Office works with four-year institutions to provide scholarships that assist with the cost of college.

Student Records 

The Student Records Office (sometimes called Registrar’s Office) is responsible for the development and enhancement of systems involved in the processing and maintenance of the student’s academic record. Additionally, this office services student requests for academic transcripts and verification of either enrollment or graduation to external agencies consistent with currently mandated privacy practices.

How families can support students

Regular check ins

Take time to check in with your first-gen student about academics and their overall wellbeing as they navigate college life

Be open and honest about finances

Paying for college can be overwhelming. If your first-gen student is receiving financial aid, paying for college out of pocket or a combination of both, discussing budgeting and making payments on time can help manage financial stress.

Look out for campus events that encourage family and friends to join

Often there are campus events that encourage students to invite their friends and family. This can be a great way to learn more about your first-gen student’s campus life and to show your support. 

Your first-gen student is embarking on a new journey 

Be mindful that your first-gen student’s schedule may change. They will need to dedicate more time to academics inside and outside of the classroom. Please be patient with them as they try to adjust while creating a routine of school-life balance. Also, don’t forget to encourage them to take it slow and support their overall health and wellbeing. 

For more tips visit https://admissions.upenn.edu/supporting-your-student/families-supporters/first-generation.