Navient Foundation contributes $22,000 to Delaware Tech to establish Veterans Resource Center at the Terry Campus

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Navient Foundation today announced a grant for $22,000 to Delaware Technical Community College to establish a Veterans Resource Center at the Charles L. Terry Campus in Dover. The center will host guest speakers and student veteran programs such as financial education, career workshops and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder seminars. It will also provide a meeting space for veteran students to study, relax and engage with fellow veterans, and for the Veterans Inspiring Progress student organization which offers support and networking for the campus veteran community.

"Supporting veterans and active-duty military is a top priority at Delaware Tech and we are grateful for this support from the Navient Foundation," said Dr. Mark T. Brainard, president of Delaware Tech. "This grant will provide our student veterans a much-needed space to study and interact with other veteran students."

"A college education is more important than ever, including for service members and veterans transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce," added Mike Maier, a U.S. Navy veteran and senior vice president at Navient. "However, most of the benefits of a college education only come with the degree. The Navient Foundation is proud to provide a dedicated space where Delaware Tech student veterans can get academic assistance and support from fellow veterans — a key to successful degree completion."

Delaware Tech's commitment to veterans, military service members and their families and has earned the college national recognition. For the third year in a row, Delaware Tech has been recognized as a Military Friendly® School. The college also received the 2016 Delaware Warrior Friendly Business Award.

Resources and services offered to veterans of Delaware Tech include:

• A director of military and veteran affairs who coordinates college initiatives statewide
• Academic counselors dedicated to provide assistance through the application and enrollment process
• Help with Veterans Affairs and tuition assistance benefits
• Priority of services including course registration and placement in competitive programs
• A Veteran's Inspiring Progress program that connects student veterans with resources to help them succeed and offers support and camaraderie
• Significant Veterans Day events at each campus location
• Partnerships with military and veteran organizations throughout the state

Navient, headquartered in Delaware, supports U.S. military members and veterans through ongoing hiring efforts, an employee-led Veterans Resource Group and customer service. Navient is a member of the Veteran Jobs Mission, a coalition of companies committed to hiring U.S. military veterans and military spouses. For the second year in a row, Navient has been recognized as a Military Friendly® Employer from the publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.

As the nation's largest student loan servicer, Navient also has support and resources available to service members with student loans. Navient proactively sends information twice a year to military customers about their benefits. Navient hosts a military financial education online course and navient.com/military, a website for military members and their families. A military benefits team is specially trained to assist military customers. They can call the dedicated toll-free number at 855-284-4879 (888-272-5543 international) or send an email to militarybenefits@navient.com.

Connect with @Navient on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Navient
As the nation's leading loan management, servicing and asset recovery company, Navient (Nasdaq:NAVI) helps customers navigate the path to financial success. Servicing more than $300 billion in student loans, the company supports the educational and economic achievements of more than 12 million Americans. A growing number of public and private sector clients rely on Navient for proven solutions to meet their financial goals. Navient Foundation is the company-sponsored philanthropic fund. Learn more at navient.com.

About Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Technical Community College, celebrating 50 years as the First State's only community college, offers more than 100 associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Delaware Tech serves as a leader in the state's workforce development. The College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has four campuses located in Georgetown, Dover, Stanton and Wilmington. For more information or to make a contribution to Delaware Tech, visit dtcc.edu/giving.

Contact:

Navient: Nikki Lavoie, 302-283-4057, nikki.lavoie@navient.com

Delaware Tech: Tammy Watkins, 302-857-1689, tkellywa@dtcc.edu