The starting point
DESU layers a guaranteed full-tuition Inspire award for Delaware residents on top of a stat-based (but not guaranteed) Full/Partial/GAP tuition ladder for all freshmen, where merit awards fill the gap left after federal and state grants.
Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 5 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Inspire Scholarship
Full tuition · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: 2.75 cumulative (4.0 scale)
Eligibility: Must graduate from a Delaware high school, be regularly admitted, enroll full time the fall right after graduation, file FAFSA, and have no felony convictions/pending charges.
Renewal: Renewable every semester for eight consecutive fall and spring semesters (not summer); requires full-time enrollment (12+ credits, 15 recommended), cumulative 2.75 GPA, continued good conduct, 10 hours of community service each semester, and yearly FAFSA.
Other terms: Delaware-resident-only award. Office of Financial Aid notifies students of eligibility after FAFSA.
https://www.desu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/inspire-scholarship
Full Tuition Scholarship
Full tuition · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: 3.5 or higher (cumulative) · SAT: 1130 or above · ACT: 23 or above
Eligibility: U.S. citizen; entering, full-time, first-year freshman; regularly admitted; enroll the fall immediately after high school; currently a high school senior.
Renewal: Offered for up to four years (Fall and Spring only). Renewal requires maintaining the GPA specified for the award and consecutive full-time enrollment each semester.
Other terms: Covers the GAP between DESU tuition and any Federal Title IV and/or state grant funding (e.g., the Inspire Scholarship). Does NOT cover travel, room/food, student fees, or personal costs — it is full TUITION, not full cost of attendance. ACT 23 OR SAT 1130 satisfies the test requirement.
https://www.desu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/out-state-freshman
Partial Tuition Scholarship
Up to 50% of the tuition gap (after grants) · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: 3.0 or higher (cumulative) · SAT: 1030 or above · ACT: 20 or above
Eligibility: U.S. citizen; entering, full-time, first-year freshman; regularly admitted; enroll the fall immediately after high school; currently a high school senior.
Renewal: Offered for up to four years (Fall and Spring only). Renewal requires maintaining the GPA specified for the award and consecutive full-time enrollment each semester.
Other terms: Covers up to 50% of the gap between DESU tuition and any Federal Title IV and/or state grant funding. ACT 20 OR SAT 1030 satisfies the test requirement.
https://www.desu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/out-state-freshman
