Delaware Scholarships

Delaware was famously the first of the original 13 colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, which is why it's still called The First State today. Delaware is also famous for its glowing nightlife, boardwalks, and waterfronts. This charming state is home to many aspiring scholars in need of financial aid.

Delaware scholarships can help meet the needs of students from this state seeking to pursue higher education. Given the limited number of college and university level institutions within the borders of the state, many choose to attend schools in nearby states— but there may still be Delaware scholarships available for residents who leave their home state.

Federal student aid is a good first step in acquiring funds for your educational journey. There are several government-run programs that aim to meet students' financial need. Start with those and see how much aid you're eligible for!

However, if government loans and aid packages don't provide you with enough money, seek out other scholarships. Winning an award from a good scholarship program could earn you up to $2,000 in one fell swoop. There are a variety of scholarships you can apply for, from merit scholarships to those that support students who demonstrate financial need.

Bold.org is a nonprofit that helps students attend the school of their dreams and gather funding for college. All scholarships available on Bold.org are free to apply for, and there's no limit to how many you can apply for. Whether you're pursuing a bachelor's degree or master's, choose the smart option and start saving for your tuition now.

Create your free Bold profile today to see exclusive scholarships for Delaware residents! Start applying to scholarships now and reap the rewards later as you earn funding for your college journey.

Best Delaware Scholarships

Delaware residents have unique scholarship programs available to them. The general rule of thumb with scholarships is that the fewer applicants there are, the easier it will be to win tuition assistance. Delaware college students should take advantage of these opportunities and apply to any listed below that match their interests.

Best Delaware Scholarships for College Students

Below are some popular majors Delaware college students may be interested in. Some may have GPA, grade level, or other requirements, so be sure to read the eligibility rules carefully for each scholarship!

Biology Scholarships

Business Scholarships

Education Scholarships

Law Enforcement Scholarships

Marketing Scholarships

Rowing Scholarships

College students should start by applying for scholarships that match their major. Sorting opportunities by the academic discipline you've chosen can help you find relevant award opportunities quickly.

If you don't see your major listed above, don't worry. There are thousands more scholarships available on Bold.org. Take a look at the full list of college major scholarships offered and apply today!

Scholarships for Delaware High School Seniors

It's never too early to start applying for scholarships! High school seniors in particular may want to get a head start on accruing funds for college. Peruse the list below to find the best high school scholarships for those not yet enrolled in university.

Scholarships for High School Students

Scholarships for High School Seniors

As high school seniors are the demographic with the most direct interest in college admissions and tuition costs, many scholarships cater specifically to them. Don't miss out on these exclusive opportunities to pad your college budget!

Delaware Scholarships for Graduate Students

Many students choose to attend graduate school to increase their employment options and become a more competitive candidate. Below are some scholarships for students interested in graduate school.

Graduate Student Scholarships

Gap Year Scholarship for Delaware Students

Medical School Scholarships

Law School Scholarships

Medicine and law are two of the most popular careers that require a graduate degree. They're also very expensive fields to study in, which is why prospective medical and law students may be interested in these scholarships. Taking a gap year is also common for any graduate level degree, as a gap year can allow students to acquire additional real-world experience that enhances their graduate school application.

General Financial Aid Scholarships for Delaware Residents

No matter your chosen academic program or grade level, student debt exists across all categories. These scholarships are designed to fight the student debt crisis, no matter who you are.

Need-based Scholarship for Delaware Students

Part-time Student Scholarship For Delaware Students

Delaware Grants to Pay Off Student Loans

Memorial Scholarships

Several grant and aid programs exist to alleviate the mounting student debt in America. Some of these scholarships have more specific requirements beyond demonstrating financial need, so read the requirements carefully. Other opportunities, like winning a memorial scholarship, can also help to provide funding for your tuition.

About Scholarships in Delaware

Every year, more and more students from Delaware are choosing to continue their education at the college level. Whether they choose to study in-state or elsewhere, the rising cost of tuition is proving to be an issue that impacts the academic journey of all students. As Delaware residents turn to loans to cover the costs, the importance of Delaware scholarship awards begins to grow.

Delaware Students & Student Debt

The average student loan debt in Delaware is $37,341 per resident. 122,900 student borrowers call the state of Delaware home, and of those student borrowers, around half are under the age of 35. On average, Delaware's student loan borrowers owe more money than the average American student borrower.

Scholarships are a great alternative that students can turn to in order to financially support their academic journey. The more scholarship awards you get, the fewer student loans you’ll have to take out and the less money you’ll have to pay out of pocket.

Colleges in Delaware

Delaware is home to eight universities at which students can consider attending in-state for higher education. All eight institutions are regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, three of which are public. Attending an in-state school can drastically lower the costs of college.

These public institutions include Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College, and the University of Delaware. Delaware State University is proud to be one of the country's first land-grant educational institutions and one of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The University of Delaware is nationally recognized and admits most Delaware residents who have academic records predicting success. In Fall 2019, over 50% of first-year students received need-based financial aid. However, financial aid from schools or the federal government often doesn't go far enough when it comes to reducing higher education costs.

How to Apply to Scholarships in Delaware

Applying to scholarships is free and easy. To maximize your chances of winning, remember these easy steps so that you don't make preventable mistakes that could jeopardize your scholarship money.

Locate Relevant Scholarships

First, put together a list of all the scholarships you want to apply for. You can keep adding to this list as time goes on; you'll find more relevant scholarships the more you look.

Fill out Scholarship Applications

Most applications will just require a form with your personal information and some documents like your unofficial transcript or letters of recommendation. Fill those out as early as you can, or request the necessary documents ahead of the application deadline.

Write a Strong Personal Statement

Many scholarships, but not all, will ask you to write a short essay on why you deserve to win their scholarship. Try to get a draft of this essay done ahead of the application deadline and ask a friend or teacher to proofread it for you. Concisely explain how you in particular fit the requirements of that scholarship, without embellishing the truth. Let your personal voice shine through so the donor can get to know you.

Tips for Applying to Delaware Scholarships

Below are a few tips for making sure the application process goes smoothly for you. Check out our scholarship blog for more scholarship application guides and free resources!

Pick Scholarships that are Right for You

Apply to any scholarship you are eligible for. That increases your odds through sheer numbers, and it's always a good idea to shoot your shot even if you think you may not win.

However, be sure to take special care with applications for scholarships that are a good fit for you. For example, if a scholarship matches both your academic interest and grade level, you've already narrowed down the competition a lot: you're only competing against others in your grade with the same major.

With scholarships like that where you're a preferred candidate, put in some extra effort. Those are the scholarships that you're most likely to win anyways, so they're the best use of your time.

Gather Application Materials

Most scholarships will require documents like your unofficial transcript, GPA, and letters of recommendation. Depending on your grade level, standardized tests like your SAT score may also be required.

Send these materials in ahead of the application deadline. Give recommenders ample time to write their letters. This means you won't have to rush as the application deadline approaches, giving you a better chance of winning.

Additional Resources for Delaware Students

Delaware scholarships have more state-specific qualifications, which means there are fewer eligible applicants and you'll have a higher chance of winning as a result.

Delaware Technical Community College SEED Scholarship

Delaware offers unique scholarships such as the Delaware SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) Scholarship, which provides tuition for students attending Delaware Technical Community College. If Delaware's TCC is on your list of colleges to apply for, keep this scholarship in mind.

Delaware State University Inspire Scholarship

The Inspire Scholarship is for Delaware residents attending Delaware State University. This is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship! Students must maintain a good GPA in high school to apply, and need to keep that GPA above a certain level after entering college. Applicants will also be expected to complete 10 hours of community service every semester.

Delaware Higher Education Office Scholarships

The Delaware Department of Education offers several educational resources, including eight state-sponsored scholarships. Take a look at DHEO scholarships and see if any are right for you— award amounts can go as high as $5,000, and though they have differing criteria, they're only available to Delaware residents.

Federal student aid doesn't always cover the whole cost of college. Undergraduate students and graduate students are encouraged to apply for scholarships. Create your free Bold profile today to begin reducing your college costs!