Financing Your Degree

College is an investment in both time and money. At the University of Delaware, we guarantee you an excellent education at a great value. We work hard to keep our tuition affordable while maintaining the highest of academic standards. UD is annually recognized as one of the best values in higher education for our academic quality and affordability.

Financial Aid: Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for financial aid is one of the most misunderstood—yet important—parts of the admission process. We're here to help guide you through the process.

Important information about the 2024-25 FAFSA:

 

The release of full financial offers for students who intend to begin UD in the fall of 2024 has been delayed. Due to the Department of Education’s changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the delivery of financial information has been delayed to all colleges and universities, therefore delaying the University of Delaware’s ability to release financial aid relying on the FAFSA.

We are eager to get financial information to families as quickly as possible, and based on the latest updates from the Department of Education, our target is to deliver full financial aid packages to families by mid-April. However, we are able to release merit aid earlier. Students will be informed about merit aid in mid-March. Once finalized, merit scholarship letters and offer notices are mailed to students and are available on their My Blue Hen Home student portal.

(Updated Feb. 5, 2024)  

File the FAFSA as close to the time you submit your UD application as possible to ensure timely notification of your full financial package. The federal government annually offers roughly $120 billion annually to college students through need-based grants, loans and work study. In addition to determining your eligibility for federal student aid, the University of Delaware uses the FAFSA when distributing grants.  

We lead with our best offer for university-based funding, and appeals for additional university scholarship funding are not available.  Information on a FAFSA Adjustment Appeal will be available by mid-April for families with extenuating circumstances not captured on the FAFSA.  Note that additional funding is not guaranteed with these appeals.

TUITION AND FEES — Newark Campus

2023-2024 Undergraduate Newark Campus Rates

 

Academic Year Costs

DE Resident

Non-Resident

Billable Items:

   

Full Time Tuition (12+ credits)

$14,040

$37,680

Mandatory Full Time Fees

$2,040

$2,040

Housing (Standard)

$8,568

$8,568

Food (Standard)

$6,270

$6,270

BILLABLE ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL

$30,918

$54,558

Non-Billable Items (Indirect Costs)*:

   
Books, Supplies, Course Materials, & Equipment

$1,000

$1,000

Misc./Personal Costs**

$860

$860

Transportation

$800

$800

Federal Loan Fees *fees vary

$140

$140

NON-BILLABLE ITEMS ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL

$2,800

$2,800

TOTAL ESTIMATED YEARLY COST OF ATTENDANCE

$33,718

$57,358

Individual costs may vary based on program of study and are billed by semester.  Students enrolled in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, the College of Engineering, and the School of Nursing will be assessed a differential charge, which helps align resources with the cost of instruction in these Colleges. Additional information on tuition rates and fees, including part-time tuition, special sessions costs, and a breakdown of mandatory (and related) fees, can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.

*Non-billable items, or indirect costs, are estimated totals for potential expenses students and their families may need to budget for. Totals will differ for each student and most use personal expenses or educational loans to cover these costs. These estimates will not appear on your final bill.

** Personal cost allowance is an estimate which may include but is not limited to personal care/toiletries/prescriptions, clothing, cell phone service, laundry, etc...

Tuition and Fees — Associate in Arts Program

2023-2024 Associate in Arts Program Rates

Academic Year Costs

DE Resident

Non-Resident

Billable Items:

   

Full Time Tuition (12+ credits)

$4,662

$11,638

Mandatory Fees

Technology Support Fee - $240

Student Service Fee - $40

Registration Fee - $30

$310

$310

BILLABLE ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL

$4,972

$11,948

Estimated Non-Billable Items (Indirect Costs)*:

 

 

At Home Housing

$2,312

$2,312

At Home Food

$1,666

$1,666

Transportation

$2,300

$2,300

Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment

$1,000

$1,000

Misc./Personal Costs**

$860

$1,000

Federal Loan Fees *fees vary

$140

$140

NON-BILLABLE COSTS ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL

$8,278

$8,278

TOTAL ESTIMATED YEARLY COST OF ATTENDANCE

$13,250

$20,226

Additional information on tuition rates and fees, including part-time tuition, special sessions costs, and a breakdown of mandatory (and related) fees, can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog. Costs are billed by semester.

*Non-billable items, or indirect costs, are estimated totals for potential expenses students and their families may need to budget for. Totals will differ for each student and most use personal expenses or educational loans to cover these costs. These estimates will not appear on your final bill. 

**Personal cost allowance is an estimate which may include but is not limited to personal care/toiletries/prescriptions, clothing, cell phone service, laundry, etc...

Undergraduate Mandatory Fees 

Academic Year Cost* 

Full-Time (12+ Credits)

Part-Time (1-11 Credits)

New Student Orientation 

$230

N/A

Student Comprehensive

$1,098

$100

Student Wellbeing Fee

$704

N/A (unless opted in)

Student Center

$238

N/A

Registration

N/A

$60

International Student Service 

$360

$360

Differential Charge**

Nursing - $1,500 

Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics - $2,000

College of Engineering - $4,000

Nursing - $750

Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics - $1,000

College of Engineering - $2,000

*All full-time undergraudate students are responsible for mandatory fees in the Fall and Spring semesters. For information on how mandatory fees are billed during the Winter/Summer Sessions please visit the Undergraduate Catalog.

**For more information on Differential Charges, visit the Undergraduate Catalog

Additional information on tuition rates and fees, including part-time tuition, special sessions costs, and a further breakdown of mandatory (and related) fees, can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog. Please also view the Division of Student Life's policy on mandatory fees.


 

Scholarships for Undergraduate Freshmen

First State Promise

A four-year education at the University of Delaware should be within the grasp of every Delawarean. That’s why we created First State Promise, a financial package for Delaware residents with family incomes of less than $75,000 that covers tuition costs at UD—with grants and scholarships, money that does not need to be paid back.*


Don’t let the sticker price stand in the way of a great education. Our First State Promise helps students at UD’s Newark campus who begin as full-time freshmen and will continue to support qualified students throughout their undergraduate education. To qualify, students admitted to UD must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and meet the income requirements.** No additional applications are necessary. 


Affordable education: That's our First State Promise.

 

*Does not apply to transfer students.
**Household size, as well as family assets in excess of $50,000, may affect eligibility for need-based grants. A family’s primary residence is not considered when evaluating a family’s assets. Students living at home may be eligible for need-based aid less than tuition due to lower cost of attendance. A student’s eligibility for grants and scholarships may change as income or assets change.

Academic (Merit) Scholarship*

Typical Amount Offered*

Renewability

UD Trustee Scholarship $7,000 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
UD Presidential Scholarship $5,000 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
UD Provost Scholarship $4,500 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
Delaware Scholar Award $4,000 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
Blue Hen Scholarship $2,500 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  

*The chart represents typical merit scholarships at UD, and is intended to indicate the range of merit scholarships potentially available at UD. Merit offers are based on an internal calculation that is not the same as high-school reported GPA. Amounts and criteria are subject to change.

The University has some endowments available to students on behalf of our generous alumni and donors. These scholarships often have specific criteria, like college or major, as well as merit and financial need. The average amount of these scholarships is $2,000 per year.

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) offers financial assistance for education to Delaware residents in the form of scholarships that help offset college costs. See the Delaware Student Success website for additional information on application deadlines.

SEED+ (Student Excellence Equals Degree) Scholarships are funded by the State of Delaware and cover tuition for eligible full-time students enrolled in the Associate in Arts Program (AAP) at our Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown locations. SEED Scholarships are not offered to students who choose to begin their bachelor's degree pursuits at the University of Delaware in Newark.

A SEED+ Scholarship can be applied to an associate degree program, then potentially up to one year toward a bachelor's degree at UD for those transitioning from AAP to the Newark campus. The free tuition can be applied to up to 10 semesters, with no more than two semesters applied toward the bachelor's degree.

Students who wish to be considered for the SEED+ Scholarship must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). No separate application is required, though UD cannot apply the SEED+ Scholarship to the student's account until we have received the student's final high school transcript.

Students who audition to be accepted as music majors are considered for music scholarships during their auditions. These scholarships are competitive and are offered by recommendation after all auditions have been completed. All music majors who receive School of Music scholarships may be required to participate in more than one ensemble.

In addition, students who participate in the Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band are eligible for a scholarship. Visit the School of Music's website for additional information.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics grants performance-based scholarships in all sports in compliance with NCAA Division I regulations and guidelines. Amounts vary. For more information or questions, contact the Athletics Department at (302) 831-4006 or complete the Prospective Student Athlete Questionnaire.

U.S. Army: Two and three-year scholarships are available for on-campus students. For more information on scholarships or anything related to Army ROTC, contact the recruiting officer at 1-800-830-ROTC.

U.S. Air Force: There are two different types of scholarships (see here for additional information). For questions on scholarships or anything related to U.S. Air Force ROTC, contact the recruiting flight commander at (302) 831-2863.

A student is offered a need-based grant to meet the remaining demonstrated financial need after taking other sources of aid into consideration (see above). Please note that the amount of the need-based grant may be adjusted if we are made aware of other scholarships and grants after initial awarding or if there is a change to the EFC. In addition, students living on campus may also be offered the On-Campus Need-Based Grant to support their cost of living. This grant is only available to students living in on-campus housing.

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include school code 001431. Students are encouraged to file near the time they apply to UD to recieve their full financial package quickly, but students will be evaluated for need-based funding through the May 1 admissions decision deadline. 

The University of Delaware offers a variety of grants and scholarships (money that does not have to be repaid) to students during the admission process. A separate application is not required and all out-of-state freshmen are reviewed for these merit scholarships based upon all materials and information supplied with their application.

See below for general guidelines. Final offers may differ per student based on their unique combination of academic credentials.  

Academic (Merit) Scholarship*

Typical Amount Offered*

Renewability

UD Trustee Scholarship $12,500 - $15,000 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
UD Presidential Scholarship $10,000 - $12,000 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
UD Provost Scholarship $8,500 - $12,000 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
Delaware Scholar Award $6,500 - $7,500 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  
Blue Hen Scholarship $1,500 - $2,500 Per Year These scholarships are renewable as long as students continue to hold a 3.0 GPA and earn 12 credits each semester. See here for additional scholarship terms and conditions.  

*The chart represents typical merit scholarships at UD, and is intended to indicate the range of merit scholarships potentially available at UD. Merit offers are based on an internal calculation that is not the same as high-school reported GPA. Amounts and criteria are subject to change.

While academic scholarships are offered based on a student’s accomplishments (merit), the University provides additional funding based on the estimated financial need determined by the FAFSA.

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include school code 001431. Students are encouraged to file near the time they apply to UD to recieve their full financial package quickly, but students will be evaluated for need-based funding through the May 1 admissions decision deadline.

Renewability: Institutional need-based grants are renewable for up to eight total semesters provided students continue to demonstrate consistent levels of financial need and meet the other terms and conditions associated with these offers.

Students who audition to be accepted as music majors are considered for music scholarships during their auditions. These scholarships are competitive and offered by recommendation after all auditions have been completed. All music majors who receive School of Music scholarships may be required to participate in more than one ensemble.

In addition, students who participate in the Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band are eligible for a scholarship. Visit the School of Music's website for additional information.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics grants performance-based scholarships in all sports in compliance with NCAA Division I regulations and guidelines. Amounts vary. For more information, contact the Athletics Department at (302) 831-4006 or complete the Prospective Student Athlete Questionnaire.

U.S. Army: Two and three-year scholarships are available for enrolled and non-enrolled on-campus students. For more information on scholarships or anything related to Army ROTC, contact the recruiting officer at 1-800-830-ROTC.

U.S. Air Force: There are two different types of scholarships (see here for additional information). For questions on scholarships or anything related to U.S. Air Force ROTC, contact the recruiting flight commander at (302) 831-2863.

The University has some endowments available to students on behalf of our generous alumni and donors. These scholarships often have specific criteria, like college or major, as well as merit and financial need. The average amount of these scholarships is $2,000 per year.


 

Scholarships for Prospective Transfer Students

Are there scholarships for transfer students?

New transfer students who currently attend a community college and are members of Phi Theta Kappa may be eligible for a Phi Theta Kappa scholarship. For more information on this scholarship, see the criteria below.

All UD students who have completed the FAFSA for the next academic year are reviewed for University Endowed Scholarships after spring semester grades are finalized. Select your population below for additional information on funding for transfer students.

Need-Based Financial Aid

The University of Delaware considers transfer students for aid based on financial need demonstrated on a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Need-based aid may come in the form of federal grants and loans. File the FAFSA or update your existing FAFSA using UD's school code of 001431 to be considered for all possible need-based aid. You must file a new FAFSA form each year to be considered for ongoing financial aid.

Once you submit your FAFSA using UD’s school code, Student Financial Services will notify you when your financial package is available on your My Blue Hen Home student portal.

Phi Theta Kappa Awards (PTK)*

In-state transfer students who are currently attending a community college will be considered for scholarships valued at $2,000 per year ($1,000/semester) for students if they:

  • Are a member of Phi Theta Kappa

  • Have completed at least 30 transferrable credits at their current community college*

  • Have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA

  • Enroll in and earn 12+ credits each fall and spring semester

  • Continue to maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled at UD

*Although not required, it may be more financially and professionally beneficial to earn your associate's degree at your current community college before enrolling at UD. This scholarship can be awarded for up to four years.

 

Delaware Resident Transfer Grant

In-state students transferring to UD are evaluated for need-based grants ranging from $500 - $3,500. You must file the FAFSA to be considered.  

  • Students offered this grant must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and earn 12+ credits each fall and spring semester once enrolled at UD. The grant will be reevaluated yearly based on the current year’s FAFSA.

 

Endowments (Donor Scholarships)

The University has some endowments made available to students on behalf of our generous alumni and donors. These scholarships often have specific criteria, like college or major, as well as merit and financial need. The average amount of these scholarships is $2,000 per year. All UD students who have completed the FAFSA for the next academic year are reviewed for University Endowed Scholarships after final spring semester grades are finalized.

Phi Theta Kappa Awards (PTK)*

Out-of-state transfer students who are currently attending a community college will be considered for scholarships valued at $6,000 per year ($3,000/semester) if they:

  • Are a member of Phi Theta Kappa

  • Have completed at least 30 transferrable credits at their current community college*

  • Have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA

  • Enroll in and earn 12+ credits each fall and spring semester

  • Continue to maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled at UD

*Although not required, it may be more financially and professionally beneficial to earn your associate's degree at your current community college before enrolling at UD. This scholarship can be awarded for up to four years.

 

Non-Resident Transfer Scholarship*

Out-of-state transfer students will be considered for a scholarship, renewed up to four semesters and valued at $2,500 per semester ($5,000 per year), if they:

  • Transfer at least 30 credits*

  • Have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA from all institutions*

  • Maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA while enrolled at UD

  • Enroll in and earn 12+ credits each fall and spring semester

*A scholarship can only be officially offered when we have received your final college transcripts. This scholarship can be awarded for up to four semesters.

 

Endowments (Donor Scholarships)

The University has some endowments made available to students on behalf of our generous alumni and donors. These scholarships often have specific criteria, like college or major, as well as merit and financial need. The average amount of these scholarships is $2,000 per year. All UD students who have completed the FAFSA for the next academic year are reviewed for University Endowed Scholarships after final spring semester grades are finalized.

Tuition Benefits for University Employees

If you are a University employee looking to use education benefits for your dependent(s), please click below for more information on tuition remission and Tuition Exchange (TE). Tuition remission is tuition assistance for dependent children or spouses of a UD employee. Tuition Exchange is a scholarship opportunity for dependent students of faculty/staff at TE member institutions. The list of member schools and the Tuition Exchange application can be found at the Tuition Exchange website.

 

Any freshman or transfer TE applicant must complete the UD application process and be officially admitted as a full-time undergraduate student. A TE online application must also be received by the Jan. 15 deadline for consideration. All freshman applicants will be notified of their award status by early March. Transfer and currently enrolled students will only be considered for a TE scholarship after the May 1 deadline.