How does need-based financial aid work at the University of Delaware?

At the University of Delaware, need-based financial aid is primarily determined from the FAFSA, and some students may also need to provide additional verification documents if requested. Your eligibility is based on your financial information, your family’s circumstances, and UD’s cost of attendance, which includes tuition, housing, meals, books, and other estimated expenses. The aid package can include federal grants, state grants if you qualify, federal work-study, and federal student loans.

UD uses the FAFSA to calculate your level of financial need, which is generally the difference between the school’s cost of attendance and your Student Aid Index. The university then builds an offer using the types of aid you qualify for.

For Delaware residents, state programs can matter a lot, since eligibility for Delaware state grant aid depends on FAFSA results and state rules. Out-of-state students can still receive need-based federal aid through the FAFSA, but state-specific grant options usually depend on where they live. Merit scholarships are handled separately from need-based aid, although both can appear in the same overall financial aid offer.

After you apply and submit the FAFSA, UD will send a financial aid offer if you are admitted and have completed the required steps. If your family’s financial situation changes, such as job loss or major medical expenses, you can usually contact UD’s financial aid office to ask about a professional judgment review.