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.
Student debt is a growing concern in Delaware, with the state having ranked third-highest in the country where older Americans struggle most with student debt. Delaware also ranks ninth out of the top 10 states with the highest average student loan debt per borrower across the U.S. Nationally, Delaware state ranks 39th in total financial aid dollars, having spent $24.2 million.
42.8% of undergraduates in the state receive federal student loans, in amounts averaging $6,283 each. 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.
Delaware is home to eight universities for 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. 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 all Delaware residents whose academic records predict 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.
In 2021, 67% of undergraduates at the University of Delaware were granted financial aid, while 45% received aid in the form of loans. In the same year, the average undergraduate tuition at the University of Delaware was $12,980, which is $16,012 below the national average for Doctoral Universities of $28,992.
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. State-specific scholarships are great, but there are also many general scholarships that you can apply for. For your benefit, it's best to apply to as many scholarships as you can. This increases your chances of success and maximizes your potential funds!
When looking for tuition assistance, it is never too early or too late to look at your options. Bold.org has a variety of opportunities available for high school applicants to get a head start on their future.
The following list of scholarships is a great start for investing in your higher education:
As a high school senior, you are in the prime spot for scholarships available to both high school students and undergraduates. The best time to start applying is early in your senior year so you can apply for as many scholarships for high school students as possible. The sooner you apply, the better! There are many scholarships available, including the ones listed below, that are focused on specifically helping high school seniors.
Here are a few scholarships that Delaware high school seniors are eligible for:
Scholarship awards are a great way to pay for college tuition and fees. Compared to loans, recipients are not required to pay back the award amount. As a result, scholarships are basically free money to fund your college education!
Here are a some scholarship opportunities that are worth applying for as a current college student:
Delaware offers unique scholarships such as the Delaware SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) Scholarship, which provides tuition for students attending Delaware Technical Community College or the University of Delaware Associate in Arts Program, and the Inspire Scholarship for Delaware residents attending Delaware State University.
Eligibility is simple to check on Bold.org. Each scholarship program will have a clear list of all eligibility requirements in the description. If your profile matches those requirements, then you'll be eligible to apply. If your profile information does not match the list of requirements, Bold.org may block you from applying for that scholarship. That's why it's important to fully complete your profile information.
While applying for scholarships involves some competition, you may have better luck applying for ones that have limited eligibility requirements. Look for some opportunities specifically for your state or scholarships specifically available to those pursuing a certain major. Some scholarships have additional qualifications such as academic merit, education level, SAT score, age, etc. Always make sure to check the requirements before spending time on your application.
Community foundations, such as the Delaware Community Foundation, manage a variety of scholarship funds established by individuals, families, and corporations. These scholarships support Delaware students based on various criteria, including academic interests, community service, and financial need.
The Delaware Department of Education offers scholarships and grants for students pursuing vocational and technical education, including awards for those attending technical high schools and community colleges within the state. The Delaware Higher Education Office strives to enhance career and college opportunities for all Delaware residents through advocacy, managing programs, and providing scholarships and financial aid.
Sometimes, Federal Student Aid does not cover all the costs 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!
Scholarships that are awarded to meet financial need are not considered a form of income. Therefore, scholarships are generally not considered taxable. This applies to Delaware scholarships as long as scholarship money is applied to qualified expenses such as tuition, fees, or books and doesn't exceed one's total costs.
Bold.org makes it easy to apply for scholarships in Delaware. By creating a profile and filling in all the required information, you'll have access to hundreds of scholarships exclusively on the platform. To optimize your results, use the filters to search for scholarships by education level, category, and status. You can also select whether you want to find only no-essay scholarships. Once you find a scholarship you're interested in, you can read through the description to find useful information like the eligibility requirements, the application deadline, selection criteria, and required materials. You may even have to submit an essay based on a given topic. To apply, simply click the "Apply Now" button once you've completed the application materials.
When applying for scholarships, it is never too early or too late to look at your options. The key point is that the sooner you get the scholarship money, the fewer student loans you’ll have to take or less money you’ll have to pay out of pocket. On Bold.org, you must be at least 14 years old to qualify. However, there are scholarships for students no matter what step they are at in their academic journey. Keep in mind that the scholarship application process is set at your own pace. Not up for doing all the work and putting in the effort now? You can bookmark scholarships and come back to them later. Additionally, there will always be different scholarships available at later deadlines.