Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Freshman applicants who are outstanding academically may be eligible for academic scholarships awarded solely on the basis of merit without regard to financial need. All freshman applicants whose applications for Fall admission are complete by December 1, 2009 will be automatically reviewed for academic scholarships. A complete application includes the UD Application for Admission (or the Common Application and Supplement, which we also gladly accept), an official high school transcript and Secondary School Report, a letter of recommendation, and officially reported SAT-Reasoning or ACT scores with Writing. Unless requested, you do not need to send us additional information or a separate application.
The University of Delaware offers an unusually larger number of academic scholarships. For the Class of 2010, roughly one-quarter of the students who were offered freshman admission were also offered an academic scholarship that was based solely on academic merit without regard to financial need. Amounts ranged from $1,000 per year for four years all the way up to full scholarships (known as the Eugene DuPont Memorial Distinguished Scholar Awards, 10-12 full scholarships, including tuition, room & board, and books). Most scholarships awarded were in the range of $2,000 to $4,000 per year.
There is no set of "numbers" (SAT/ACT scores, GPA, class rank) that will guarantee a scholarship or scholarship amount. Rather, we look at the whole of a student's record, especially the rigor of the course selection in high school and the trend in grades from freshman to senior year. For the Class of 2010, most scholarship winners were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, with many in the top 5%; most had A or A- high school GPAs, and most had SATs of 1300 or higher.
But some students with lower scores in one or two of these categories were also offered scholarships when the Committee was impressed with the unusual rigor of their high school or the curriculum they pursued. Outstanding out-of-class accomplishments and leadership, strong endorsements in letters of recommendation, a background or heritage that would lend diversity to our campus, a parent who is an alumnus/a of the University, and exceptionally strong writing samples also play a part in our scholarship decisions; the strength and excellence of the high school record are always the most important considerations, however.
It is equally true that some students whose "numbers" looked good did not receive scholarship offers from the University: the reasons often had to do with such factors as a weak senior year course selection or a downward trend in grades or a weak essay. The quality of our applicant pool also affects your chances of a scholarship. For the past few years, the quality of our entering class as measured by SAT scores and high school GPAs has increased significantly. This has made our scholarships increasingly competitive. For information about the academic qualifications and background of our current freshman class, see our freshman class profile.
Athletic Scholarships
Scholarship-quality athletes are generally identified by our coaches, who recruit on the basis of athletic skill. Athletic scholarships are available in the following varsity sports:
- Men's baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, and soccer
- Women's basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball
If you are interested in contacting a coach, you should write to the Athletics Department, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716, call (302) 831-4006, or complete the Prospective Student Athlete Questionnaire.
Music Scholarships
You may inquire about music scholarships by calling the Music department at (302) 831-8426 and arranging an appointment for an audition. Music department scholarships are generally reserved for music majors and non-majors who play instruments/sing in vocal ranges needed to balance the ensembles. In addition, the Music Merit Program provides private study opportunities for other qualified students who wish to study applied music.
Additional UD Scholarships
Additional scholarships exist at the University of Delaware for the following applicants:
- Army or Air Force ROTC Participants (awarded to selected students who are receiving a 3-year or 4-year ROTC scholarship)
- Entering freshmen in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (approximately 15-20 awards per year)
- In addition, a few awards are specific to entering freshmen in particular majors and programs. Students are automatically reviewed for these scholarships, as well as for university-wide scholarships, when they are reviewed for admission
Outside Scholarships
The following Scholarships apply to students who meet a specified criteria and complete an application by each individual scholarship's deadline.
Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs
This is a $3,000 dollar scholarship for qualified students in any field relating to plant science, agriculture, environment, or conservation. The student must be either a Junior or Senior. Please call 302-645-7677 and ask for scholarship information. The deadline to apply is March 1st.
American Association of University Women, Wilmington Branch Scholarship
To be eligible for this scholarship the applicant must be a female, U.S. citizen, a Delaware resident, and a High School graduate or a senior at a public or private high school in New Castle County. For an application and more information please visit the AAUW web page.
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Scholarship
This is a $1,000 scholarship for students whose major is in Accounting or Criminal Justice. For more information and an application please visit their web page.
Scholarship Management Services: The Fund for Veterans' Education
To be eligible for this scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be veterans of any branch of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines), Coast Guard, National Guard, and Armed Forces Reserves.
- Have served and been deployed for a total of at least 60 days in Afghanistan or Iraq (or served in the surrounding areas and have documented service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operations Enduring Freedom) after September 11, 2001, or be veterans who were deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq after September 11, 2001 but did not meet the 60-day active service period as a result of a service-related injury or condition incurred while serving in Afghanistan or Iraq.
- Be enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in an undergraduate program of study at any accredited two-year or four-year institution, public or private, including technical schools
- Have applied for and accepted all federal, stat, and institutional need-based grants and all available military educational benefits.
For additional information and an application, please visit the following web site.
Institute For Humane Studies
Interested in Journalism, Film, Writing, Policy, or Academia? If so, then the Institute for Humane Studies may be for you. IHS is offering many exciting opportunities for students interested in individual liberty. These opportunities include but are not limited to:
- Scholarships of up to $12,000
- Free weeklong seminars on the ideas of Liberty
- Paid internships in print and broadcast Journalism, Public Policy, Film, and more
For more information on IHS please visit their web site.
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada
This organization offers scholarships to Graduate and Undergraduate students in the fields of Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field. They also offer specific scholarships for Minorities within public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Political Science, Economics, or Business Administration. For more information, scholarship applications and deadlines, and where to apply please visit the GFOA web site.
Army Emergency Relief
To be eligible for this scholarship the Student must be a dependent child, step-child, or legally adopted child of Army Soldiers on active active duty, retired, or deceased while in active duty or retired status. The student needs to have a FAFSA on file for the aid year in which they are applying. For more information, applications, and where to send supporting documents please visit the AER web site.
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) encourages and supports senior high school students, GED graduates, undergraduate students, and educators who are committed to furthering their education and enhancing their careers in the restaurant and food service industry by awarding scholarships through its Scholarships Program. In the past nine years, the NRAEF has awarded more then $9 million to qualified and deserving students.
All applicants must by a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or be a resident of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For more information on all NRAEF scholarships, please visit their web site.
Gilman International Scholarship
The Gilman International Scholarship is currently accepting applications from students participating in study abroad programs during Fall 2009 or the Academic year 2009-2010. There has never been a better time to apply as more Gilman Scholarships than ever will be awarded to students studying abroad this academic year. The Gilman Scholarship is open to all U.S. undergraduates, in good academic standing, who meet the criteria listed below:
- Receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of study abroad.
- Currently applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student's institution of higher education in the U.S.
- Studying abroad for at least four weeks in one country.
- Studying abroad in a country not currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or in Cuba.
- Studying on a program that begins between July 15, 2008 and October 15, 2008. The Fall cycle encompasses fall semester, quarter, and academic year programs that are a minimum of four weeks in length. Summer-only study abroad programs are not eligible.
Award recipients will receive up to $5,000. Applicants can apply online here.
AES
The consulting firm of AES Engineers is committed to continuing its support of higher education by providing scholarships to deserving students. To be eligible the student needs to answer one of the essay questions that they will find on the AES website.
Outside Resources
We do not endorse any scholarship search that charges a fee. We encourage students to pursue the following scholarships opportunities: High School guidance counselor, local organizations and clubs, your state department of education, on-line scholarship searches.
Listed below are some selected links for scholarship searches: