Unlocking Higher Education: A Comprehensive Guide to the SEED Scholarship in Delaware

The Delaware Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) program represents a significant commitment by the state to ensure that higher education is accessible to its residents, regardless of their financial circumstances. This initiative relieves qualified, college-bound students of the burden of paying undergraduate tuition at Delaware Technical and Community College, or the University of Delaware, Associate in Arts Program. The program underscores the intent of the General Assembly to encourage Delaware students to excel academically and pursue higher education. Payments under this program are grants, not loans, so students do not have to repay the State.

Core Principles and Purpose

The SEED program aims to help ensure that Delaware students stay in high school, excel academically, and have better access to higher education regardless of a family’s financial circumstances; therefore, payments under this program shall be grants, not loans. The expanded Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED+) scholarship is now available to more Delawareans who have traditionally been shut out of access to higher education. While the original SEED scholarship program was available only to recent high school graduates, the expansion opens this tuition-free option to Delawareans of all ages.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the SEED program, students must meet specific criteria, focusing on residency, academic achievement, and enrollment status.

Residency Requirements

Applicants must satisfy Delaware residency requirements.

Academic Requirements

A student shall have graduated from a Delaware public or nonpublic high school or have earned the Delaware State Board of Education Endorsement Secondary Credential. In addition, a student who enrolls in an associate’s degree program shall have graduated from a Delaware public or nonpublic high school with a minimum cumulative average of either 80% or higher on a 100 point scale or a grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale as indicated on the student’s official high school transcript. A student who enrolls in an associate’s degree program as the holder of a Delaware State Board of Education Endorsement Secondary Credential shall have earned a cumulative score on the GED examination that is equivalent to a 2.5 G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale based on the standard formula for converting GED to GPA. For purposes of this subchapter, a student who does not meet the qualifying criteria may request the institution recalculate the point percentage or G.P.A. G.P.A.

However, those who graduate high school with less than a 2.5 GPA may obtain an associate degree through the SEED scholarship program if they are enrolled in a pathway program and successfully complete each step.

Delaware Tech has created a GPA equivalency for students with a GED so they could directly enter an associate degree program if they have the equivalent of the required 2.5 GPA.

Enrollment Requirements

Students must be enrolled full-time on a degree-seeking basis. Students can attend part-time after their first semester. Students may take a year off without losing their SEED scholarship.

Other requirements

A student shall have applied for all appropriate forms of financial aid for which the student is eligible including, but not limited to, the Federal Pell Grant, financial aid programs administered by the Delaware Higher Education Commission, financial aid programs administered by Delaware Tech, and shall have accepted all such financial assistance offered or awarded to the student, except for loans. A student must apply for financial aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student must complete all institutional forms and supporting documentation as requested by the campus. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the school and file a FAFSA each year.

Special Considerations

GED Holders: Include students who have a GED or “Delaware State Board of Education Endorsement Secondary Credentials.”
Foster Care Youth: Individuals who lived in foster care under the jurisdiction of the Department of Services for Children and their Families at any point between the ages of 16 and 18, whether placed within or outside Delaware, qualify for the SEED Scholarship provided they meet in-state tuition residency requirements. If the student lived in foster care while 16 - 18 years old, points 4 and 6 do not apply.
Undocumented Students: Undocumented students must meet the same eligibility requirements as documented students.

Maintaining Eligibility

Once awarded the SEED scholarship, students must maintain certain standards to ensure continued funding.

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Continuous Enrollment

Maintain continuous enrollment for not less than 2 semesters in each successive academic year for students in an associate’s degree program, unless granted an exception for cause by the institution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, students who are enrolled in an associate’s degree program may take a leave of absence for 1 academic year without affecting their eligibility for continued funding. Students may take a year off without losing their SEED scholarship.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

For students enrolled in an associate’s degree program, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 calculated on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first academic year and thereafter maintain such a cumulative grade point average. To remain eligible for the SEED Scholarship students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. You must have at least a 2.5 GPA if enrolling in an associate’s degree program. There is no GPA requirement if enrolling in a workforce-training certificate.

Criminal Record

The student shall certify that he or she has not been convicted of any violent felony. "Violent felony" shall mean any felony listed in § 4201(c) of Title 11, except for drug-related offenses set forth in Title 16.

Financial Aid

A student must apply for financial aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student must complete all institutional forms and supporting documentation as requested by the campus.

Scholarship Availability and Scope

Institutions and Programs

Under this subchapter, qualified, college-bound state resident students are relieved of the burden of paying undergraduate tuition at Delaware Technical and Community College, or the University of Delaware, Associate in Arts Program provided that these students meet the criteria set forth in this subchapter and are enrolled in a credit or noncredit program leading to the award of a recognized academic credential or pursuing studies leading to an associate degree at Delaware Technical and Community College. Grant awards shall not exceed the available appropriation for each fiscal year.

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Duration and Extent of Coverage

At DTCC, you can enroll in credit and non-credit programs for up to 10 semesters. SEED recipients who have not used all 10 semesters of eligibility can use SEED towards their junior year of a bachelor’s degree at the University of Delaware. No disbursement on behalf of an individual student, pursuant to this subchapter, who is enrolled in a credit or noncredit program leading to a recognized academic credential shall exceed the amount of full-time tuition charged by the institution during the corresponding academic year.

Financial Aid Coordination

If Pell Grant funds cover full tuition, the SEED Scholarship will NOT be awarded. If Pell Grant funds do NOT cover full tuition, the SEED Scholarship will be awarded to cover the difference up to the cost of tuition. Pell grants, other tuition waivers, and other applicable need-based grant/scholarship aid will be used before SEED funding is applied.

Application Process

Each institution shall establish and implement its own procedures to award grants to eligible students subject to appropriations for such purpose, including, but not limited to, a procedure to determine priority among applicants in the event that the amount of grants requested by eligible applicants exceeds the appropriation, which may include consideration of financial need and academic achievement.

Required Forms and Documentation

Institutional Procedures

Each institution shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to the administration of this subchapter.

Fraud Prevention

If, as a result of applying for federal and state student financial aid, or through other means, it becomes apparent that deliberate fraud was involved in the application process, the institution may reevaluate the recipient’s eligibility for grant assistance, and may withdraw a grant award. Any grant award made as the result of deliberate fraud may be recovered by the State through an action at law.

Exceptions and Appeals

Each institution shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to the administration of this subchapter. Such rules and regulations may include an appeals process to grant exceptions to the eligibility requirements set forth in § 3406A(a)(1) and (2) of this title for applicants who are unable to make steady academic progress toward the completion of an associate’s degree or other recognized academic credential due to military service, participation in a full time volunteer service program, personal or family hardship, or a documented medical condition.

Program Oversight and Reporting

Each institution shall annually report to the General Assembly of the State the names of its own students enrolled in the SEED program and the total amount of expenditures made under this subchapter. The report must identify which of those students enrolled in the program pursue a bachelor’s degree after completion of an associate degree. The Department of Education shall ensure that every school district, and each charter and nonpublic high school, designates at least 1 SEED program contact person, who shall be either a counselor or teacher, at each high school site in this State. The Department of Education shall also ensure that all printed or electronic communications relating to a school activity include information about the SEED Scholarship Program. For school activities where general announcements are made by any school official, information relating to the SEED Scholarship Program shall also be included in those communications.

Opportunities Beyond Associate's Degree

Students who wish to be considered for the SEED Scholarship must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Not only can a SEED Scholarship cover tuition for the two years of many associate-degree programs,* but it can potentially cover up to one year in a bachelor's-degree program at UD's Newark campus as well. SEED recipients who have not used all 10 semesters of eligibility can use SEED towards their junior year of a bachelor’s degree at the University of Delaware.

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