
Scholarships have the power to change lives, fuel dreams and empower excellence. They help so many students who lack only the finances—not the drive, talent and ambition—to pursue their academic journeys at the University.
The critical funding empowers Blue Hens to chart the course of their lives, focus on academics, research and experiential learning that ensures they leave UD on a more equitable playing field and prepared for their next chapter.
Transforming Lives with Scholarships: Tajai’ Cox & Paula Glover: youtube.com/watch?v=R5TUmg4HmOQ
The power of scholarships is felt in many ways and the students and donors say it best themselves. Tajai’ Cox, BE23, shares how support from Paula Glover, BE89, gave him the finances, support and hope to realize his dreams after he unexpectedly lost his mother and suddenly became independent.
The best and the brightest look to join the Blue Hen family with the number of students who want to earn their degrees and grow—academically and personally—at UD continuing to increase and countless students from across the country—and the world—looking to become Blue Hens.
UD is attractive to many students for various reasons, including its:
- research opportunities in more than a million square feet of teaching, industrial and clinical space
- transformational industry partnerships across disciplines
- holistic student resources for wellbeing, career development, diverse interests and more
- ranking of #38 among top public national universities and #89 among the nation’s best overall universities (2022-23 U.S. News & World Report)
$30,000
Total cost of attending UD for in-state students
$52,000
Out-of-state students
$25,000
Average need per student a year

While the desire to attend the University is great, for many prospective students, financial aid packages are the deciding factor. Each year, the student applications for financial assistance greatly outweigh the amount of support available.
With an increase in economic and societal barriers for students—especially those from the lower income or underrepresented communities—and a decrease in state and federal funding for higher education, donor support is vital to ensure diverse, talented and driven students can join the Blue Hen flock.
Transforming Lives with Scholarships: Arynn Hernandez & Glenn Pfeil: youtube.com/watch?v=zeVi84ddWXY
Arynn Hernandez, BE22, 23M, wasn’t sure how she would achieve her academic and professional goals while juggling so much with work, siblings and studies. Support from Glenn Pfeil, BE78, changed all that, enabling her to pursue her advanced degree and jumpstart her journey to her ultimate career.
Transforming Lives with Scholarships: Tajai’ Cox & Paula Glover: youtube.com/watch?v=R5TUmg4HmOQ
When Tajai’ Cox, BE23, lost his mother and suddenly became independent, he didn’t know how he was going to continue at UD or where life might take him next. Paula Glover’s, BE89, support gave him the finances and hope to realize his dreams.
Transforming Lives with Scholarships: Shem Msabila, Marcia & Jim Borel: youtube.com/watch?v=FvfcsQJw8Sw
Shem Msabila, ANR24, from Tanzania, Africa never even imagined the possibility of researching plants in the United States. He had heard “no” too many times to have hope in pursuing research that will make a difference in his home country. But funding from Marcia and Jim Borel helped Shem experience more than he could have ever dreamed.
Transforming Lives with Scholarships: Megan Tarr and Nancy Lomax: youtube.com/watch?v=pUmcNvNZl_0
Megan Tarr, AS25, wasn't sure she would be able to afford to continue school after her first semester. When she learned she had received a scholarship that was established by Nancy Lomax, AS71, she immediately found hope and excitement for the opportunities ahead at UD.
BE THE CHANGE AT UD
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Fund
The JEDI Fund will help provide programs, resources and opportunities to cultivate educated and empowered individuals who not only understand societal challenges related to equity and social justice, but have the tools to create solutions to address them.
Blue Hen Strong Fund
Gifts to the Blue Hen Strong Fund will directly and immediately address the urgent needs of our UD students to ensure their success at UD and beyond – providing success grants to cover tuition, access to technology and advancements to online learning tools, career readiness support and so much more.
HenFunder
Join fellow Blue Hens in supporting a cause close to your heart through HenFunder, the University's crowdfunding platform. UD students, alumni, faculty and staff use this unique platform to raise funds for initiatives and programs that will significantly impact members of the University community.
Former astronaut Mae Jemison advises graduates to 'Look up and remember what inspires you, what you were doing this for and why you cared in the first place'