https://scholarships.delawarestudentsuccess.org

This guide is for Delaware students and graduates looking for scholarships and programs to help fund their post-secondary education (college, trade school and military). Search below for scholarships that are the best fit for your abilities, needs, and interests.

https://delawarestudentsuccess.org/de-colleges-universities/

Review this list for free college application fee information:

https://homeschoolingforcollegecredit.com/2023/09/19/free-college-application-fees/

THE 2025 SCHOLARSHIP PORTAL IS NOW OPEN

New Castle County is committed to supporting students pursuing undergraduate college degrees with $1,000 scholarships to help defray their educational costs. To be eligible, you must be a New Castle County resident who is currently enrolled or who will attend an accredited College or University in the Fall of 2025. The deadline to apply is Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11:59pm.

Eligibility:

  1. Must reside in New Castle County (including within the City of Wilmington or other municipalities).

  2. Must demonstrate financial need and provide supporting evidence by submitting the following:

          -FAFSA Student Aid Report

          -Most recent filed 1040 Tax Return

          -Benefits Verification letter or statement

  3. Candidates must be pursuing or currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary undergraduate degree program OR be a graduating high school senior who has been accepted to attend an accredited post-secondary degree program starting in Fall 2025.

  4. The college or university the candidate is attending must be within the United States of America.  

  5. Certificate and graduate programs do not meet the criteria for this scholarship. 

Family members (of the applicant) who are also enrolled in post-secondary degree programs are encouraged to apply.  Submitting multiple applications from the same household is acceptable.

Application Process:

Applicants are required to describe financial needs and upload a transcript and essay. Incomplete or illegible applications will not be considered. 

The candidate’s college/university must be a registered vendor with New Castle County in order to receive a scholarship.   If your school is not registered, it is your responsibility to make sure that they become one using this link Vendor Self Portal.  Here is a list of colleges/universities already registered as vendors with New Castle County Registered Schools as Vendors for Scholarship 2025

Please note: You must complete the entire application and upload all documents. Completing the online application can take up to 30 minutes; submissions will not be saved for later review, so we encourage applicants to have all relevant materials ready when beginning the online application.

There are three categories of eligible students:

1. Traditional Student- A current high school senior attending an accredited college or university in the fall following their graduation year.

2. Current College Student - A current university student who enrolled right after high school completion (or) earning a graduation equivalency diploma. 

3. Adult Learner - An independent adult returning or attending an accredited college or university.

Essay topics: Choose ONE of the following (1000 words maximum):

  1. Share your Personal Statement.

  2. Pick an experience from your life and explain how it has influenced your personal development.

  3. Who is your biggest influence and why?

  4. How has your family background or adversity affected your outlook on the world?

  5. How has education contributed to who you are today?

  6. Why are you a good candidate to receive this award?

Deadline: Online applications must be submitted by Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11:59pm.

A committee of local educators and community leaders will review applications. Finalists will be invited to interview via videoconference with the scholarship committee in June.  Recipients will be acknowledged at an award ceremony in July and awards will be dispersed directly to the institution on or around August 31, 2025.

To begin the application process, please click here.

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If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Mohr at stephanie.mohr@newcastlede.gov.