Money for College

SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

DELAWARE SCHOLARSHIP COMPENDIUM

The ultimate guide to scholarships for Delaware students
The Delaware Higher Education Office is pleased to bring you the Delaware Scholarship Compendium 2020-21
This is the ultimate guide for Delaware students looking for scholarships and programs to offset the cost of college.
Consider scholarships as gifts that you don’t need to pay back.
They’re available for all students, not just for those who receive good grades.

scholarships.DelawareStudentSuccess.org

SEARCH ENGINES

Scholly.com
Cappex
Fast Web
College Navigator
Going Merry
DE Higher Education Office website
DE Goes to College Initiative
Scholarship Compendium Book
Net Price Calculator
Parent Guide – Paying for College

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SCHOLARSHIP!

If you have been selected for scholarship monies, please notify your school counselor. This information is tracked by each school counselor and is compiled and presented at the graduation ceremony. The school counseling office will ask for a copy of the acceptance letter, the amount awarded, and the number of years you would be eligible for that amount. If you are awarded multiple scholarships, even if you do not plan to attend that particular school, please notify us as well.

CLICK HERE TO REPORT ANY SCHOLARSHIP YOU HAVE EARNED!!

QUESTBRIDGE

The QuestBridge National College Match is a college and scholarship application process that helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation’s most selective colleges.

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)Completing the FAFSA is the first step in receiving financial aid. The FAFSA application is used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on provided financial information. Your EFC score is the amount the federal government expects you to contribute toward the cost of college and helps determine how much you qualify for in financial aid. Based on this information, your college’s financial aid office produces your individual financial aid package detailing your financial aid award and how much you will be expected to pay out of pocket.

Tackle common concerns

My family can’t afford to pay for my college. College is expensive, but there are multiple ways to finance your education. Check out additional financial aid resources to learn more.
I don’t even know where to start. Financial aid seems confusing! Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.ed.gov/sa for great info. In the fall, attend financial aid sessions at your school and talk with your school counselor.

When should I apply for financial aid? The FAFSA opens October 1. Federal aid is awarded on a first-come first-serve basis so be sure to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Visit fafsa.ed.gov for tips on filling it out.

Understand types of aid

Grants may come from the federal government, the state of Delaware, or the college.
Scholarships are available from a variety of organizations. Visit scholarships.delawarestudentsuccess.org for information on scholarships awarded by the Delaware Higher Education Office. The SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) and Inspire Scholarships are available for Delaware residents.
Federal Loans are funded by the government and are repaid with interest. Fixed interest rates and income-based repayment plans are often used to make paying off loans easier for recipients.
Private Loans are made by a lender, such as a bank, with higher and more varied interest rates. Repayment options are less flexible than federal loans.

Check the priceThe tuition cost listed online (sticker price) is not always the price students pay (net price). Your cost will depend on your family income. Use the net price calculator available on college websites to estimate the total amount that you will pay in an academic year. Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website to learn more.

Stand By Me is offering the following workshops virtually: Paying for College, Scholarship Presentation, FAFSA Walkthrough, and Paying for College for Juniors along with FAFSA Completion Assistance by appointment.

Click here to view the current workshop dates:
standbymede.org/stand-by-me-nexgen/college-funding-project/

THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD COLLEGE? THINK AGAIN!

Did you know that the State of Delaware offers tuition-free or significantly reduced tuition to UD, DSU and Delaware Tech?
You may qualify for the SEED or Inspire Scholarship if you live in Delaware and graduate from a Delaware high school. You must start college in the fall following graduation to be eligible.

SEED Scholarship Info

SEED: You need at least a 2.5 GPA (80%) and can attend college tuition-free at Delaware Technical Community College or the University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts program for up the six semesters. The Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) Scholarship Program was initiated to ensure that finances do not keep good students from going to college. If you attend a Delaware high school, keep your grades up (2.5 GPA required) and stay out of trouble, you have the opportunity to go to Delaware Technical Community College or the University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts program tuition-free. The University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts Program (AAP) gives students the option to first earn an associate’s degree at the Dover, Georgetown, or Wilmington campus, then transition to the Newark campus to earn their Bachelor’s degree. Students in the AAP program are also eligible for a SEED scholarship.
INSPIRE: You need at least a 2.75 (80%) and can receive at least $3,900 per year toward tuition at Delaware State University for up to eight semesters. Learn more at Inspire Scholarship. The scholarship program is subject to available funds appropriated by the Delaware General Assembly. Inspire Scholarship recipients must continue to make excellent academic progress towards a degree and must complete at least ten hours of community service per semester.

Students still need to satisfy admission and financial aid requirements as determined by the school.

SEED SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS

STEPS TO APPLY

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID AND SUBMIT A FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) BY THE PRIORITY DATE OF APRIL 1* TO THE FEDERAL PROCESSOR. A STUDENT MUST APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID BY SUBMITTING A FAFSA.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO DELAWARE TECH BY APRIL 1. APPLY EARLY!
PARTICIPATE IN THE ACCUPLACER COLLEGE TESTING AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM OR PROVIDE OFFICIAL SCORES FROM SAT TESTS TO THE CAMPUS ADMISSIONS OFFICE.
VISIT YOUR CAMPUS ADVISEMENT CENTER FOR ADVISEMENT AND COURSE REGISTRATION.
SUBMIT YOUR FINAL OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT BY JUNE 30* TO THE CAMPUS FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.
YOU WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF YOUR PRELIMINARY SEED AWARD ONCE YOU COMPLETE THE FAFSA, APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION, AND ANY OTHER FINANCIAL AID REQUIREMENTS.
YOUR SEED SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE VERIFIED ONCE YOUR FINAL OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT IS RECEIVED SHOWING A FINAL 2.5 OR HIGHER CUMULATIVE GPA.
* IF THE DATE FALLS ON A WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY, THE DUE DATE WILL BE THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY. LATE APPLICATIONS AND TRANSCRIPTS WILL STILL BE CONSIDERED FOR SEED AS LONG AS FUNDING IS AVAILABLE.

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID

PROCESS

Log onto studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
Click NEW TO THE FAFSA® PROCESS?
Complete both student and parent portion