Financial Aid

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Invest in Your Future

Delaware State University offers an affordable first-rate education. The Office of Financial Aid is here to assist you with the costs of your educational investment.

Financial Aid Checklist for New Students

The Office of Financial Aid understands that students and their families have a lot of questions about how the financial aid process works. To help answer many of your questions, we’ve created a detailed checklist that will help you through the entire process. We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the steps below, then contact the financial aid office if you have additional questions.

All new students must be fully admitted to Delaware State University to receive financial aid. Please complete our online Admissions application to get started.

Step 1: Complete or update the application for federal student aid

Include Delaware State University’s school code of 001428 when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). DSU should receive your FAFSA in 7–10 business days after you receive email confirmation from the US Department of Education that your FAFSA has been processed.

Step 2: Read the Student Aid Report (SAR)

The US Department of Education will email your SAR. Make any requested corrections to your FAFSA. If your SAR indicates your FAFSA has been selected for a process called verification, Delaware State University will send you a written request outlining the documentation that you will need to submit. Allow the financial aid office 20–25 (as much as 40 during peak processing times in the late spring and summer) business days to review your documents after they are submitted.

Be on the lookout for mail from the financial aid office. We have the right to request any and all documentation we need to resolve issues with your FAFSA or other data. Therefore, please respond to any requests for documentation promptly to avoid delays.

Step 3: Read and accept the terms and conditions

Seven to 10 business days after your FAFSA is received by DSU (and verification is completed, if applicable), you will receive a financial aid award letter. Read the letter completely and visit our website if you need more information on the awards you’ve been offered.  Log onto your MyDESU account to read and accept the Terms and Conditions of your Financial Aid Award.

Step 4: Accept your Federal Stafford loans online

If you wish to accept the Federal Stafford loans that are offered to you in your award notification, you must log on to your MyDESU account and accept your loans online. For more information, visit our FAQ page.

In addition to accepting your loan online, first time borrowers of Federal Direct Stafford loans must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling. If you wish to participate in this loan program, complete your MPN and Entrance Counseling online.

Step 5: Estimate your cost of attendance (COA)

Remember: books and supplies are not included in your tuition and fees. They are an additional expense that you should take into account when determining your COA.

Step 6: Determine your balance

Subtract your financial aid and scholarship awards from your estimated COA.

Step 7: Make plans to cover your balance

If you plan to apply for an additional loan, your loan application must be completed and approved before registering for classes during New Student Orientation.  Please allow the Office of Financial Aid 25 business days to process your loan applications once they have been approved and are ready for school certification.

Step 8: Have checks sent directly to the Office of Financial Aid

Ask any outside scholarship agencies to include your full name and student ID# on the check, if possible.

Have checks sent directly to:

  • Delaware State University
    Office of Financial Aid
    1200 N DuPont Highway
    Dover DE 19901

Step 9: Accept terms and conditions of financial aid award

Before you can receive any financial aid payments, you must read and agree to the terms and conditions.

Step 10: Stay informed. Check for updates regularly.

Check your student email, Blackboard and MyDESU accounts regularly throughout the semester for updates from the financial aid office.

Scholarships

Find out about the scholarships available to DSU students. Scholarship eligibility may be based upon academic achievement, financial need and/or group affiliation.

In-state incoming freshman

We offer numerous scholarship opportunities for incoming students who reside in Delaware.

Learn more about In-State Scholarships

Out-of-state incoming freshman

We offer a variety of scholarships for incoming students who reside outside the state of Delaware.

Learn more about out-of-state scholarships

Returning and Transfer Student Scholarships

The Delaware State University Foundation offers Privately Funded Scholarships for current students as well as those who are transferring to DSU from another institution.

Learn more about returning and transfer student scholarships

Osher/Crankstart Scholarships

The Osher and Crankstart Scholarships are available to adults who are entering DSU after a five-year cumulative gap in pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.

Learn more about the Osher/Crankstart scholarships

Financial Aid Resources

Here are some other valuable resources that will help you navigate through the financial aid process. Contact the financial aid office if you have additional questions.

The FAFSA for the 2023-2024 school year is open. Submit you FAFSA Application now!

Forms & Publications

Access the forms, documents and guides you’ll need to apply for financial aid at DSU.

Forms & Publications

Verification Process

Understand the verification process used to confirm that the information provided on a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is correct.

Verification Process

Net Price Calculator

Calculate the actual cost of attending DSU, including tuition, room and board and other expenses.

Net Price Calculator

NBS Monthly Payment Plan

Learn about DSU’s tuition payment plan administered by NelNet Business Solutions, an interest-free alternative to paying each semester’s tuition and expenses.

Payment Plans

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The SAP is a process to review a federal aid recipient’s academic record and compare it to specific criteria.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Student Employment & Work Study

Search for student employment and work study positions on the DSU campus. Newly hired students must register for an orientation session.

Student Employment & Work Study

Current Students

As a student borrower you are legally required to complete Exit Counseling if you were a recipient of Title IV financial aid.

Information for current students