Undergraduate Students

University Grants

The University of Delaware offers a number of scholarships and grants based on a student's financial need, as well as academic performance. Eligible students will see these reflected in the financial aid notice. University funds offered are designed for tuition and mandatory fee charges, unless specified otherwise.

Some students may also be eligible for the UD Blue Hen Success Grant, which is designed to ensure unforeseen small financial circumstances do not become barriers to degree completion.

Federal Pell Grant

Pell Grants are offered based strictly on the student's Student Aid Index (SAI).  Students eligible for these funds will see them reflected on the financial aid notice.

Federal SEOG

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) funds are offered on a first-come basis to Pell eligible undergraduate students based on their overall financial need. These funds are disbursed to students directly by the University and are limited to the funds allocated to the University by the U.S. Department of Education. Students eligible for these funds will see them reflected on the financial aid notice.

State Grants

Delaware provides grant information for Delaware resident students at delawarestudentsuccess.org. Non-resident students are encouraged to check their home states' higher education agencies or authorities for available state grant funding.

TEACH Grant

A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires you to take courses needed to begin a career in teaching, and then perform a qualifying teacher role in order to keep the grant from turning into a loan.  Interested students should visit Federal Student Aid's TEACH Grant information site for eligibility criteria.

Merit Scholarships

UD applicants are reviewed for merit scholarships upon admittance.  Merit scholarship guidelines can be found on Admissions' Financing Your Degree page.

Endowed Scholarships

UD's generous donors provide over 200 scholarships and grants for eligible students.  Many endowments are offered based on specific criteria (e.g., college or major, merit, and/or financial qualifications).  Typical amounts are $2000 per year.

All students who file the FAFSA are automatically evaluated each June for these scholarships, and selected recipients are notified in late July as financial aid packages are prepared.

A limited number of UD endowments with special criteria can be found on our Additional Scholarship Resources page.

Music Scholarships

Students who audition to be accepted as music majors are considered for music scholarships during their auditions. These funds are competitive and are offered by recommendation after all auditions have been heard. All music majors who receive Department of Music talent-based scholarships may be required to participate in more than one ensemble.

In addition, students who participate in the Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band are eligible for a scholarship. Visit the Department of Music for additional information.

Athletic Scholarships

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics grants performance-based scholarships in all sports in compliance with NCAA Division I regulations and guidelines. Amounts vary. For more information, contact the Athletics Department, at (302) 831-4006, or complete the Prospective Student Athlete Questionnaire.

ROTC Scholarships

U.S. Army: Two and three-year scholarships are available for enrolled and non-enrolled on-campus students. For more information on scholarships or anything related to Army ROTC, contact the Recruiting Officer at 1-800-830-ROTC.

U.S. Air Force: There are three different types of scholarships. For questions on scholarships or anything related to U.S. Air Force ROTC, contact the Recruiting Flight Commander at (302) 831-2863.

UD's Center for Global Programs and Services has a limited number of funds which it offers to qualified students.  Students applying to a study abroad program are automatically considered for these need-based scholarships and are notified of any offers upon being accepted to a study abroad program.  More information on study abroad funding may be found on the CGPS website.

Center for Global Programs & Services Financing

Federal Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized Student Loans

Students who submit a FAFSA and meet other eligibility requirements will be offered Federal Direct Student Loans.  A portion of these loans may be subsidized, meaning they are interest-free while the student is enrolled in college.

Interest rates and origination fee information can be found at studentaid.gov.

First-time borrowers must complete entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Federal Perkins Loans

The federal government is discontinuing the Federal Perkins Loan Program and those loans are no longer available for origination.  Students who have existing Perkin loans can review information on the Federal Student Aid website.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct PLUS Program is a popular financing option for parents of undergraduate students.  A FAFSA and a credit check are required.  Students whose parents are denied the PLUS loan based on credit will receive an additional $4,000 (freshman/sophomore) or $5,000 (junior/senior) in Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan eligibility.

Interest rates and origination fee information can be found at studentaid.gov.

First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Alternative Loans

Alternative (private) educational loans are offered from a variety of lenders. These loans require a credit check.  Generally, students will apply for these loans using a credit-worthy U.S. co-signer.  Alternative loans should be used only after students have exhausted federal loan eligibility.

Students who wish to learn more about alternative loans can find a list of lenders that are frequently used by our students on our alternative lender information site.

The lenders are presented for informational purposes only.  Lenders appearing on the list were chosen based on the lender's ability to receive electronic loan certifications, send Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and fee structure. Most loans have zero fees for all borrowers. A few lenders may charge fees for borrowers with poorer credit and/or require that some payments be made while in school. Please read all fee and interest rate information carefully before AND after approval.

New Jersey residents may be interested in taking advantage of the NJ Class loan. More information can be found at the NJ Class website.  A FAFSA is required.

External (outside) scholarships are gifts that are offered by external businesses or entities. Outside scholarships are similar to grants as they do not generally need to be repaid or earned through work. Offer amounts, eligibility criteria, and application procedures will vary by scholarship program.

Students can seek additional funding through external organizations that offer scholarships. These organizations may include local and national civic or business organizations. In most cases, the offering agency selects the recipient and determines the value of the scholarship.

External scholarship checks should be mailed to:
University of Delaware
Student Financial Services
30 Lovett Avenue
Newark, DE  19716

External scholarships are applied directly to student accounts and evenly split between Fall and Spring Semesters, unless UD is expressly instructed otherwise by the offering agency.

Outside scholarships will be applied to the student account in the following manner:

Reduce unmet need

Reduce self help (student loan/work-study)

Reduce institutional aid to stay within need*

*If supporting organization indicates institutional aid should not be reduced, aid will be returned to the organization.

More information, including scholarship search engines, can be found on our Additional Scholarship Resources page.

Tuition benefits are educational assistance benefits paid by an employer for an employee’s spouse or dependents.  These funds may be offered through a parent’s or guardian’s employment.  Usually, these funds are designed to offset tuition costs, though sometimes the employer may allow them to help cover mandatory fees as well.

Students who receive tuition benefits will see their aid eligibility updated based on the following:  

For students receiving a full tuition benefit from an employer, all University funding (merit and need-based grant) will be replaced with the tuition benefit.

If a student receives a partial tuition benefit and has University need-based grant, that grant will be replaced with the tuition benefit.  Any University merit funds up to 50% of the original amount offered will be allowed to remain provided the combination of funds does not exceed tuition*.

Dependents of University of Delaware employees receiving University tuition benefits are not eligible for University merit scholarships.

The combination of funds may not exceed University of Delaware tuition and mandatory fees if the employer stipulates the benefit may also cover mandatory fees.

Veterans benefits include financial and other forms of assistance made available by the Veterans Benefits Administration to veterans and their dependents.  The University of Delaware is committed to helping student veterans and military service members in their transition from military to college life.  Student veterans can find information and dedicated support at the Student Veterans website.

For non-resident students receiving a residency credit as a result of veterans benefits, federal monies are not adjusted.  However, University merit scholarships will be removed and University need-based grants will be adjusted, and possibly removed entirely, based on existing need.

Students no longer eligible for veterans benefits may request a review of University aid eligibility by contacting Student Financial Services. 

Employer Funding (Student)

Students eligible for tuition reimbursement from an employer upon submission of grades may defer payment of covered tuition and fees.

1. Financially clear the student account by selecting the relevant deferred option under Report Additional Credits.  Provide dollar amount of employee benefit in the Amount box and the employer's name in Comment box.
   
2. Make payment for remaining balance due by the term due date.

SFS will verify the tuition agreement and adjust the account due date to 30 days after final grades are published.

Third-Party Sponsorship

An organization that funds all or part of a student's education and wishes to be billed directly by the University is considered a third-party sponsor.  The sponsor provides the student with a sponsor-approved voucher or letter of credit authorizing the University to invoice the organization for any applicable tuition/fees.

1. Submit all sponsor authorization documents, including sponsor-approved voucher or letter of credit, and the completed Third Party Sponsor Billing Agreement form to third-party@udel.edu.
2. Financially clear the student account.
   1. In My Finances, click the pencil icon to Report Additional Credits.
   2. Select "Third Party" from the Type dropdown.
   3. Enter amount.
   4. Enter comment explaining source of funding.
   5. Click "Save credits."
3. In order to record credits, you must click "Submit" (if no additional payment is due) or complete payment (if there is a remaining balance due).

UD employees, their spouses, and their dependent children can use tuition remission, course fee waivers, or certain tuition exchange options to cover tuition costs.  Find details on UD's Human Resources website.

Tuition Benefits

To apply the waiver, employees should complete the relevant Web Form for the waiver and term.

Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver

Delaware youth who have spent all or some of their teenage years in Delaware foster care will be eligible to have their college tuition waived at public Delaware in-state schools (University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical Community College).

Eligibility

Full-time and part-time students are eligible for the tuition waiver if they are a current resident of the state of Delaware, under 26 years of age and one of the following:

• Eligible for Delaware Chafee Education and Training Voucher program
• Spent 12 or more months in custody of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families between the ages of 14-18.

Eligible students must apply for all financial aid before being granted the tuition waiver for any leftover tuition and fees.  Students may use the tuition waiver until they turn 26.

Covered Costs

The tuition waiver covers total eligible costs of attending less any grants or scholarships the student receive including winter and summer sessions.  It also covers year-round, traditional on-campus housing and dining (if enrolled full-time)

• If continuously enrolled full-time, the student is eligible for the waiver for up to 5 years, until the student earns a bachelor's degree, or until the student reaches the age of 26, whichever occurs first. 
• If at any time the student is enrolled part-time, the student is eligible for the waiver until the student reaches the age of 26 or the student earns a bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first. 

How to Apply

Once accepted to UD (or other participating school), or if currently enrolled, email Delaware's Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DSCYF) to obtain a letter verifying eligibility.  Provide this letter to the school, according to its procedures.

Email DSCYF

In the email to DSCYF, students should include proof of enrollment or admission, such as a screenshot of class schedule or scanned acceptance letter.

Upon receiving the eligibility letter from DSCYF, students should email the UD Tuition Waiver Program contact;  Tevin Williams.

Email UD

Students who have experienced extenuating circumstances which impacted progress may submit an appeal to determine whether aid can be reinstated.  The appeal form is located in My SFS Docs.

Student Financial Services annually reviews recipients of University scholarships for renewability, based upon criteria including, but not limited to, enrollment status, grade point average, and student aid index (for need-based aid).

In some extenuating circumstances students may be able to appeal the loss of a scholarship by completing the Scholarship Renewal Appeal form.

Required Documentation:

• Copy of the 2024 1099R
  
• Letter explaining the reason for the withdrawal
  • Appeals will be considered for withdrawals made for purposes of covering living expenses due to loss of employment