Financial Aid Guidelines

To be eligible for federal and/or institutional aid, students must be considered U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens through the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal and/or institutional aid for international students is not available.

Delaware State University applicants for financial aid must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine the need for financial assistance and as a mechanism for non-need based and need based loan certification. Further, all students applying for scholarships, grants and tuition fee waivers must file and complete the financial aid process before any form of aid can be applied to the students account.

Financial Aid at the University is made available for graduate students through tuition fee waivers, research fellowships via departmental grant funding, departmental assistantships, loans and part-time employment opportunities. Please consult your program of interest regarding availability of funding. Graduate students must meet the minimum cumulative DSU grade point average (excludes transfer work) requirement of 3.00 by the end of their second full semester. In addition, all graduate students must earn 67% of their hours attempted, and must not exceed 150% of the hours required for degree completion. There is a one-time only appeal procedure for the graduate student. A formal written letter of explanation must be written to the Office of Academic Enrichment no later than the drop for non-payment date for the semester in which the student is applying for Federal Financial Aid. Graduate students must attain a 3.0 at the end of that semester to remain eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid preceding the appeal.

The following types of grades cannot be used to fulfill financial aid probation, suspension, or re-matriculation requirements: credits by audit or special examination, grades earned from advanced placement or CLEP exams for which prior approval was not obtained; withdrawal or incomplete grades; and grades earned with zero credit. Students who do not meet the criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid for reconsideration of reinstatement. The student must provide documentation with the statement of appeal indicating any special circumstances (e.g. medical records, accident report, medical bills, change in program of study, etc.) which may have interfered with meeting eligibility.

SAP Maximum Hours Limitation Criteria

Students may only receive aid until they reach the maximum hours limit. The limit is 150% of the hours required for the program of study. Hours accepted by DSU in transfer are included in the maximum hour limit. Required hours for a specific program of study are found in the Undergraduate or Graduate Catalogs. Students who have completed all the course work for their degree or certificate but have not yet received the degree or certificate are no longer eligible for financial aid for that program. Students with dual majors or students who change their majors are subject to the same hours limit; there are no exceptions

For more information regarding FAFSA and load processes please consult the DSU Office of Financial Aid.