🎓 Delaware State Grants & Scholarships for College

If your kid is going to college in Delaware, there’s a small but powerful list of state-funded scholarships and tuition assistance programs worth checking out. But timing matters. Some of Delaware’s best programs—including the SEED and Inspire scholarships—require early action, and missing those windows can cost your family thousands.

Let’s walk through what’s available, how to qualify, and what to do next.

📊 Main State Grants & Scholarships

🟦 SEED Scholarship (Student Excellence Equals Degree)

One of Delaware’s most popular aid programs, the SEED Scholarship offers free tuition at:

Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC)
University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts Program

To qualify:

Be a Delaware resident and graduate from a Delaware high school with a 2.5 GPA
File the FAFSA and apply to eligible schools by the stated priority deadlines
No felony convictions
Must begin college the fall after high school graduation

💬 What’s the Associate in Arts Program?
It’s a two-year track through the University of Delaware where your kid can start college at a lower cost on a satellite campus. SEED covers the tuition, and if they keep their grades up, they can transfer directly to UD’s main campus later—no reapplying needed.

💡 Covers full tuition only — does not cover books, fees, or housing.

➡️ Learn more about SEED

🟦 Inspire Scholarship

The Inspire Scholarship provides up to $3,000/year to students attending Delaware State University, covering any tuition not met by other scholarships or grants.

To qualify:

Graduate from a Delaware high school with a 2.75 GPA
Enroll full-time at Delaware State University
Complete 10 hours of community service per semester

💡 This is stackable with Pell Grants and other federal/state aid.

➡️ Learn more about Inspire

🟦 Delaware Scholarship Compendium

The state’s Department of Education maintains an online database of dozens of local and private scholarships, many of which are need-based, major-specific, or for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

➡️ Browse the Delaware Scholarship Compendium

📌 Many Delaware scholarships require early action.
Start your FAFSA and applications in the fall. SEED and Inspire have deadlines tied to each college’s admissions process.

💰 Tuition Help for Adults & Returning Students

Delaware offers limited aid for nontraditional students, but here are two options to check:

Governor’s Education Grant (adults 18–60 attending night/weekend programs at DTCC or other approved training)
Workforce Development Training Funds for career-focused programs

➡️ These are usually accessed directly through the institution or training provider.

🟨 Local & Private Scholarships

Don’t overlook school-specific or community-based funding. Many Delaware districts and organizations offer $500–$5,000 awards, including:

Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs
Credit unions and community foundations
High school booster organizations

Talk to your high school counselor and apply early—most deadlines hit between January and March.

🗓️ Most local scholarships open in January and close by March.
Don’t wait until spring break to start searching—by then, many of the best opportunities are already gone.

🏫 Division I Public Colleges in Delaware

📣 File the FAFSA early—even if your income seems too high.
Delaware scholarships like SEED and Inspire still require the FAFSA to unlock funding. Submitting in October or November is your best move.

📝 What To Do Next

✅ Submit the FAFSA as soon as it opens (October 1)
✅ Apply to Delaware colleges before their financial aid priority deadlines
✅ Ask your counselor about local awards and booster club scholarships
✅ Explore SEED and Inspire eligibility early—even if unsure
✅ Bookmark the Delaware Scholarship Compendium

👀 If your kid’s too overwhelmed to look, you can help.
Even if you’ve never done this before, you can take 30 minutes and dig through the Delaware Compendium together—it’s worth it.

❓ FAQ

Can SEED be used at the University of Delaware?

Yes, but only for the Associate in Arts Program—not for full bachelor’s degrees. The main SEED-eligible campus is Delaware Tech.

Does the Inspire Scholarship cover all costs?

No. It helps cover tuition not paid by other aid, but it doesn’t cover housing or meal plans. It’s stackable with Pell and SEED.

Can undocumented students get SEED or Inspire?

Unfortunately, no. Both programs require students to meet U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status for FAFSA completion.

What if my child goes out of state?

Delaware does not offer state-funded scholarships for students attending college outside the state. Focus on private/national aid.

What is the Associate in Arts Program at UD?

It’s a two-year program that lets your kid earn an associate degree through the University of Delaware while attending classes at a lower cost in Wilmington, Dover, or Georgetown. SEED covers tuition for this program. After two years, they can transfer straight into UD’s main campus in Newark to finish their bachelor’s—no reapplying required if they meet GPA and credit requirements.

📍 Delaware might be small—but its aid is targeted.
Between SEED, Inspire, and local dollars, a Delaware student who plans early can cover a big chunk of their tuition before loans are even on the table.