Delaware scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Delaware runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (2) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Delaware State Inspire Scholarship
Full tuition for up to 8 semestersState of Delaware (administered by Delaware State University)
Apply any timeFour-year, full-tuition scholarship at Delaware State University for Delaware high school graduates with at least a 2.75 GPA.
- What it takes: FAFSA + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 2.75+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) Scholarship
Full tuition after other grants (tuition only; fees and books not covered); up to 10 semestersState of Delaware (administered by Delaware Technical Community College and the University of Delaware)
Apply any timeFree tuition for Delaware high school graduates at Delaware Tech (and eligible University of Delaware associate programs), for up to 10 semesters.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + transcript
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, trade school students
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship
$1,250/yearDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens later$1,250 a year for high-achieving Delaware high school seniors attending any accredited college full time.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to late February (4:30pm on February 26, 2027 for this cycle).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Scholarship Incentive Program (ScIP)
$1,000/year (undergraduate and graduate awards)Delaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens later$1,000 a year for Delaware residents with financial need who attend college full time.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, grad students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to May 17 (4:30pm); FAFSA due by the same date. Awards made by August.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship
Full tuition, required fees, room, board, and books at the University of DelawareDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterFull cost of tuition, fees, room, board and books at the University of Delaware for one top Delaware high school senior a year.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA + transcript + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to late February (4:30pm on February 26, 2027 for this cycle).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Career-Based Scholarship
Amount announced by July 1, 2027 (varies with funding and applicant pool)Delaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterScholarship for Delaware residents studying full time at a Delaware college in a high-need career field such as nursing, computer science or accounting.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- For accounting, business administration (business analytics, business management, human resource management), computer engineering students
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to May 17 (4:30pm). Awards announced by July 1 and made by August.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Educator Support Scholarship - Graduate Programs
Amount announced by July 1, 2027 (varies with funding and applicant pool); partial award for part-time studentsDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterScholarship for Delaware residents in graduate school at a Delaware college for teaching or school specialist shortage areas (special education, school counselor, school psychologist and more).
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For grad students
- For early childhood special education, world/foreign language education, immersion/bilingual education students
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to May 17 (4:30pm). Awards announced by July 1.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Educator Support Scholarship - Undergraduate Programs
Amount announced by July 1, 2027 (varies with funding and applicant pool)Delaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterScholarship for Delaware residents studying full time at a Delaware college to teach in a shortage area such as special education, math, science or world languages.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- For early childhood special education, world/foreign language education, immersion/bilingual education students
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to May 17 (4:30pm). Awards announced by July 1.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Herman M. Holloway Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Full tuition, required fees, room, board, and books at Delaware State UniversityDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterFull cost of tuition, fees, room, board and books at Delaware State University for one Delaware high school senior a year.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA + transcript + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to late February (4:30pm on February 26, 2027 for this cycle).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Speech-Language Pathologist Scholarship
Amount to be announced (varies with funding and applicant pool)Delaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterScholarship for Delaware residents in a full-time speech-language pathology master's program at a Delaware college.
- What it takes: state application
- For grad students
- For speech-language pathology students
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to May 17 (4:30pm).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Veterinary Medicine Contract Program (SREB)
Tuition at the Georgia (UGA) or Oklahoma (OSU) resident rate instead of out-of-state tuitionDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterLets up to one Delaware resident a year at each of the University of Georgia and Oklahoma State vet schools pay those states' in-state tuition.
- What it takes: state application
- For grad students
- For veterinary medicine students
- Usual timing: Annual; AAVMC/VMCAS application due October 1 of the year before enrollment, plus the DHEO residency form.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Redding Consortium Schools Scholarship
Tuition and mandatory fees (amount varies annually with applicants and funding)Delaware Higher Education Office with the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity
Open now · due October 9, 2026Tuition and mandatory fees at a Delaware college for staff and student teachers at Redding Consortium schools in Wilmington who pursue education degrees.
- Who it's for: Employee or student teacher at an eligible Redding Consortium school (Wilmington area)
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- For education, educational leadership, mental health professions students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Delaware National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program
Up to 100% of tuition at Delaware public colleges; Delaware private colleges up to the average in-state public per-credit rateDelaware National Guard
Apply any timeService scholarshipThe catch: Serve at least 6 years in the Delaware National Guard, or repay the benefit with interest.
Up to 100% of tuition at Delaware public colleges (or the average public rate at Delaware private colleges) for Delaware National Guard members.
- Who it's for: Active member of the Delaware National Guard in good standing
- What it takes: state application + membership + transcript
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver
All tuition and mandatory fees (plus on-campus room and board at UD/DSU) after other grantsDelaware Office of the Child Advocate / Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
Apply any timeFree tuition and fees (plus on-campus room and board at UD and DSU) at Delaware's public colleges for young adults who spent teen years in Delaware foster care.
- Who it's for: Former Delaware foster youth
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship
Amount not stated (set by the Commission; applied to direct or indirect costs)Delaware Child Protection Accountability Commission / Office of the Child Advocate
Apply any timeState-funded scholarship for direct and indirect college or trade-school costs for students who experienced foster care in Delaware.
- Who it's for: Experienced foster care in Delaware
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + interview
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Who can get it: US citizen or qualified non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
State Fire Prevention Commission Tuition Reimbursement Program
100% of tuition paid, up to 2 undergraduate or 1 graduate class per semester; total reimbursement capped at $2,000Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission
Apply any timeTuition reimbursement at Delaware colleges for active members of Delaware volunteer fire and EMS companies.
- Who it's for: Active member of a Delaware volunteer fire/EMS company
- What it takes: state application + membership + transcript
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition-Free College for Delaware Residents 60 and Older
Tuition and mandatory/registration fees waived (books, supplies and course/lab fees not covered)State of Delaware (University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College)
Apply any timeDelaware residents 60+ can take credit courses tuition free at the University of Delaware and Delaware Tech (and Delaware State University under the same law).
- Who it's for: Age 60 or older
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Delaware Advance Scholarship
Past awards $3,000-$5,000 per year (varies with number of awardees)State of Delaware (administered by the University of Delaware)
Check datesTuition help for Delaware students with intellectual disabilities in a college transition program such as UD's Career & Life Studies Certificate.
- Who it's for: Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- What it takes: FAFSA + transcript
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Critical Need Reimbursement Program
Up to 6 credits (or 2 required seminars/workshops) per year; capped at tuition and fees of Delaware's highest-cost public institution; prorated to fundingDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterPays coursework costs for Delaware public school teachers working on an emergency certificate or certificate of eligibility in a critical-need subject.
- Who it's for: Full-time Delaware public/charter school teacher on an Emergency Certificate or Certificate of Eligibility in a critical-need area
- What it takes: state application + transcript
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2+ GPA
- Usual timing: Three windows a year: Summer term Sept 1-15; Fall/Winter term Feb 1-15; Spring term May 3-17.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others
Tuition & required fees (prorated if attending outside the priority sequence); up to four yearsDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterTuition and required fees for Delaware students ages 16-24 whose parent died in military service, is a POW/MIA, or was a state police officer or DelDOT highway worker killed on the job.
- Who it's for: Child of a service member who died of service-related causes, is/was a POW, or is MIA; or of a Delaware State Police officer or DelDOT highway employee who died in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Usual timing: Annual; application window December 1 to May 17 (4:30pm).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Mental Health Critical Need Reimbursement Program
Up to 6 credits per academic year; capped at tuition and fees of Delaware's highest-cost public institution; may be proratedDelaware Higher Education Office (Delaware Department of Education)
Opens laterService scholarshipThe catch: Keep working in a Delaware school for at least 3 years after licensure; no repayment penalty is stated.
Pays up to 6 credits a year of coursework for Delaware public school employees training to become licensed mental health professionals, in exchange for 3 years of school service.
- Who it's for: Full-time Delaware public school employee
- What it takes: state application + transcript
- For grad students, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2+ GPA
- For professional counseling, chemical dependency, marriage and family therapy students
- Usual timing: Annual; one window each May for the academic year's coursework (May 3-28, 2027 for 2026-27).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.