At Delaware State University, education is an investment in your future. The lifelong benefits of a quality education far exceed the initial expenses involved. However, you may need assistance and guidance in meeting those expenses. The Delaware State University Financial Aid Office is committed to providing the best possible service and programs to assist you in achieving your educational goals.

The financial aid process at DSU primarily consists of federal funds. The definition of financial aid is “assistance given to help meet the student’s cost of attendance.” Grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs are all considered financial aid. With the exception of some scholarships, most financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated need. 

Currently enrolled students, click here for the Financial Aid Timeline to keep on track.

Newly admitted students to Delaware State University may be asking themselves:

I’ve been accepted to DSU.  What happens next?

The Office of Financial Aid understand that students and their families have a lot of questions about how the financial aid process works, especially the first time through the process. To help answer many of your questions, we strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the steps below and to read all of the information provided before contacting the financial aid office.

If you have additional questions, please email us at faid@desu.edu or call 302-857-6250.

New Student Financial Aid Checklist

Step 1: Complete or update the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include Delaware State University’s school code of 001428. 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.

• Apply on-line at www.fafsa.gov
• Apply for a PIN first at www.pin.ed.gov before completing the FAFSA

Step 2: Read the Student Aid Report (SAR) emailed to you by the US Department of Education and make any requested corrections to your FAFSA. If your SAR indicates your FAFSA has been selected for a process called verification, submit a copy of DSU’s verification worksheet, and IRS tax transcripts and W2s for you and your parent(s) to the financial aid office. Allow the financial aid office 15 – 25 (as much as 30 during peak processing times in the summer) business days to review your documents after they are submitted.

• Download the 2012-2013 Verification Worksheet
• How to request an IRS tax return transcript
• More information on the verification process

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: 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 web site if you need more information on the awards you’ve been offered.

• Read DSU's Award Guide

Step 4: 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 on-line.

• Learn more about the Federal Direct Stafford loan program
• Complete Entrance Counseling and MPN at www.studentloans.gov
• If you forgot your PIN, request a duplicate at www.pin.ed.gov. (You will need this to access the studentloans.gov web site.)

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.

• Delaware State University’s 2011-2012 academic year tuition and fee schedule. The 2012-2013 academic year tuition and fee schedule will not be available until the summer (usually mid-July at the earliest.)

Step 6: Determine your balance by subtracting your financial aid award from your estimated COA. Use 2011 – 2012 fees if necessary; don’t delay your planning waiting for the new fees.

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.

• Learn more about the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan program
• Complete a Parent PLUS loan application at www.studentloans.gov
• If your parent forgot his or her PIN, request a duplicate at www.pin.ed.gov. (He or she will need this to access the studentloans.gov web site.)
• Find information on Alternative Education loans
• Learn about DSU’s monthly payment plan

Step 8: Give copies of award letters from any scholarships you have received to the Office of Student Accounts. Make sure you submit all necessary paperwork to the organizations granting the scholarships.

Step 9: Accept the terms and conditions of your financial aid award. Before you can receive any financial aid payments, you must read and agree to the terms and conditions. The financial aid office will send an email to your student email address with instructions on how to complete this step.

Step 10: Stay informed. Check your student email, Blackboard, and My DESU accounts regularly throughout the semester for updates from the financial aid office.