Fund your future with three easy steps

Delaware offers many ways for students to receive tuition
assistance for undergraduate and graduate degrees, trade
school, and certificate programs.

Identify scholarships

First, visit State Scholarships for DE Residents to explore which state scholarships are relevant to you.

Second, search for national, regional, and local scholarships using this online compendium. Use the categories section to view scholarships that are the best fit for you.

Complete the free application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA is a form that each student must complete every year to be eligible to receive state and federal student financial aid. Additionally, the State of Delaware, many postsecondary institutions, and private Scholarship programs use FAFSA information to award grants, scholarships, and loans. Visit the Delaware Student Success FAFSA page to learn more about deadlines and access free support services for Delaware residents.

Submit scholarship applications,
paying attention to deadlines

Read each scholarship listing carefully and pay attention to details and requirements. Organize the scholarships you’ve selected by the deadline to avoid missing any. Gather and review all necessary supporting documentation required.
Allow plenty of time to pull together the requested items for each application.

Maximize your chances of
receiving scholarships

Here are our best tips to help you leverage all your opportunities for
receiving the maximum number of scholarships.

  • Don’t wait until January of your senior year to start looking.
  • Pay attention to scholarship deadlines and keep a checklist of application closing dates.
  • File your FAFSA early. Many scholarships require it. FAFSA can be filed beginning October 1.
  • Avoid waiting until the deadline to apply to guard against computer or other technical issues.

  • Choose your recommender carefully. It should be someone who knows you well and can speak to your accomplishments.
  • Give them plenty of time and include a student bio or resume outlining your accomplishments and activities.
  • The best letters of recommendation show the student’s personality and character.

  • Many communities offer scholarships through clubs, organizations or small businesses.
  • The chances of winning a local scholarship may be greater because they are open to a smaller group of students.
  • Check with your school counselor for scholarships tied to your school and community.
  • Ask relatives if they know of scholarships through their employers, clubs and organizations.

  • Don’t overlook smaller scholarships. Several $500 scholarships can add up.
  • Larger scholarships can be the most competitive.
  • The number of scholarships you can apply to and win is unlimited.

  • Colleges and universities often have specific knowledge of scholarships offered by their institution.
  • Your financial aid office is there to help you find opportunities to fund your education.

  • Some students avoid scholarships that require more work. That could shrink the application pool and improve your chances of winning.
  • If you have two to four solid scholarship essays, edit and reuse those for multiple scholarship applications.
  • Edit for each new scholarship essay question.

  • Follow the essay word limit. Exceeding that might disqualify you.
  • Proofread the essay to ensure you have no spelling or grammar mistakes.
  • Answer any questions in the essay prompt.
  • Find a unique perspective on the essay prompt and make your essay stand out. Be personal and passionate.

  • Apply for 20 to 30 or more scholarships.
  • Treat applying like a part-time job. It’s an investment in your future.
  • Set aside regular times to look for and apply to scholarships, once a week, an hour each day, whatever works best for your schedule.
  • Stay organized. Use a calendar and a checklist. Know scholarship deadlines.

  • Not everyone is guaranteed to win a scholarship.
  • The more you apply for, the better your chances of winning a scholarship.
  • Continue to search for new scholarships.
  • Apply for scholarships in different categories that you may qualify for, such as merit, athletic or artistic.

You could be the target of a financial aid scam. Be alert to the tactics companies use to persuade students to buy their services. Here are some of the most common claims students hear.

  • Requests for personal information: A legitimate scholarship will never ask for personal information such as a Social Security Number.
  • Fees: A true scholarship will not charge an application fee.
  • Guarantees to win: A legitimate scholarship will not guarantee that you will win. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Application is missing sponsor information: You should always be able to find a sponsor’s contact information in the application. If you can’t find that information, be wary.