A Delaware State University education is an investment in your future. The lifelong benefits of a quality education far exceed the initial expenses involved. However, you may need assistance and guidance in meeting those expenses. The Delaware State University Financial Aid Office is committed to providing the best possible service and programs to assist you in achieving your educational goals.
The financial aid process at DSU primarily consists of federal funds. The definition of financial aid is “assistance given to help meet the student’s cost of attendance.” Grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs are all considered financial aid. With the exception of some scholarships, most financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated need.
Step 1. Review financial aid deadlines and maintain a checklist.
*IMPORTANT: IF APPLICATION IS NOT COMPLETED BY THE DEADLINE, YOUR AID MAY NOT BE PROCESSED BY THE BEGINNING OF SEMESTER.
Step 2. Gather the information that you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
- Social Security Number
- Student and Parent (s) (if dependent)
- Federal Income Tax Returns for the year reported on FAFSA
- Student and Parent (s) (if dependent)
- Any foreign tax return or tax return from Puerto Rico if applicable.
- W-2 tax forms and all other records of money earned during the tax year reported on FAFSA
- Information on all untaxed income (i.e. Social Security, child support, TANF, Veteran’s Benefits, payments to tax-deferred pensions, untaxed wages for non-tax filers.)
- Current balance of cash, savings and checking accounts.
- Net worth of business and investments (other than your home).
- US Department of Education PIN for Student and Parent (if dependent). To obtain or retrieve lost PIN, visit www.pin.ed.gov.
- Delaware State University’s Federal School Code is 001428.
Step 3. Complete the FAFSA on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper applications are not available.
Step 4: Research and apply for scholarships.
Step 5: Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) sent to you by the US Department of Education.
- Read the SAR comments to see if you need to make corrections to your FAFSA, to determine your EFC, your PELL eligibility and whether you are selected for Verification.
*IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE SELECTED FOR VERIFICATION, ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE RECEIVED AND PROCESSED BEFORE YOUR ELIGBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID WILL BE DETERMINED.
Step 6: Estimate cost of attendance
Step 7: Review your Award Letter from the Office of Financial Aid.