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Financial Aid Offer

Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer

Your financial aid offer outlines the types and amounts of aid you are eligible to receive. You will receive an email notification when your offer is available to view in Banner 9 Self Service. Incoming first-year and transfer undergraduate students will also receive a mailed copy.

If you have questions about your financial aid or would like to discuss special circumstances, please contact a Financial Aid Advisor at 302.857.6250 or faid [at] desu.edu.

Financial aid offers for continuing students for the 2026–2027 academic year will be available beginning June 2026.

Common Financial Aid Terms and Definitions

Classification - Your year in school based on the number of semester hours you have earned.

Cost of Attendance - The estimated cost of attendance to Delaware State University for one school year. This can include:

  • Tuition and Fees - amount charged by Delaware State University for classes and other campus facilities and services.
  • Housing and Meals
    • On-campus - amount charged by Delaware State University for living in a residence hall and buying a meal plan.
    • Off-campus - average cost of rent, utilities, and food for the Dover Delaware area.
  • Books and Supplies - average cost based on enrollment hours.
  • Personal Expenses - includes, but is not limited to, clothing, personal items, entertainment, etc.
  • Transportation - travel to and from classes and trips home during breaks.

Credit-Based Loan - A type of financial aid that must be repaid with interest and requires the borrower to be approved based on a credit check. A co-signer (endorser) may be required. This includes the Federal Direct PLUS Loan and private (alternative) loans.

Enrollment Hours - The number of semester hours you will register for each semester.

Estimated Amount Due - The amount due to your University Bill after grants and scholarships have been applied to your University Bill.

Estimated Charges - The amount to be billed for Tuition and Fees (and Housing and Meals if you will live on-campus).

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - is a free form used to apply for federal financial aid for college, including grants, loans, and work-study funds. The U.S. Department of Education uses the information provided on the FAFSA to determine your financial need and eligibility for aid from the federal government and your state.

Financial Need - is the gap between your Cost of Attendance (COA) and your ability to pay, as determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI). Some types of financial aid, such as grants and scholarships, are based on financial need.

Grant - A grant is a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Grants are typically awarded based on financial need and may come from federal, state, institutional, or private sources. An example, is the Delaware State Grant.

Housing Plans - Where you said you’ll be living during the school year on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

  • On-campus
  • Off-campus
  • With a parent or relative

Loan Fees - A small percentage of the total student or parent loan that is subtracted before the loan is disbursed.

Other Estimated Expenses - Estimated costs that you may have that are not charged to your University Bill. This can include:

  • Off-campus Housing and Meals - average cost of rent, utilities, and food for the Dover Delaware area.
  • Books and Supplies - average cost based on enrollment hours.
  • Personal Expenses - includes, but is not limited to, clothing, personal items, entertainment, etc. 
  • Transportation - travel to and from classes and trips home during breaks.

Parent Loan - A type of financial aid that your parent must repay with interest and is credit-based. Parent Loans are available through the U.S. Department of Education or private lenders. A small loan fee is subtracted before the loan disburses.

Remaining Estimated Costs - Cost of Attendance (Estimated Charges + Other Estimated Expenses) minus Grants, Scholarships, and Student Loans. Your Remaining Estimated Costs can be covered using the DSU Deferred Payment plan, employment, and/or Federal Direct PLUS/private credit-based loan options.

Residency Tuition - The tuition and fees you are charged based on your resident or non-resident status. Your residency is determined by the Office of the Registrar.

Scholarship - A type of financial aid usually offered based on merit, recognizing outstanding academic achievement and other accomplishments that does not need to be repaid. You can search for Delaware State University scholarships on the Scholarships page.

Student Aid Index (SAI) - is a number that indicates a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid for college. Key factors used to calculate the SAI include family size, income, assets and tax data.

Student Loan - A type of financial aid that you must repay with interest. Student Loans are available through the U.S. Department of Education or private lenders. A small loan fee is subtracted before the loan disburses.

DSU Deferred Payment Plan - Interest-free payment plan that lets you pay your University Bill in 3 monthly installments each semester. 

University Bill - A University Bill is a monthly statement of charges issued by the Student Accounts Office. Bills are available to view in Banner 9 Self Service.

Verification - Is the process used to confirm that the information provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accurate. Students are selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or the institution. You can check your student email or Banner 9 Self Service to review any required documents for this process.

Work-Study - A type of financial aid that is offered based on financial need and allows you to work on campus while being paid every other week. Work-Study earnings are not applied to your student account.