Find A Scholarship

DEF provides this database of local scholarships available to students of the lower Delmarva Peninsula: Sussex County, Delaware; Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester counties in Maryland; Accomack and Northampton counties in Virginia. National scholarships are listed if they have a local award component. DEF cannot guarantee any monies will be awarded.

We update this database continuously but due to the constantly changing nature of the information and our limited resources, DEF is not responsible for inaccuracies. Double-check deadlines and other criteria with the scholarship sponsor or contact listed. If you see inaccuracies, or if you need help, please contact us.

Where an application can be downloaded from the site, you will need Adobe Reader to view and print the document. 

Click here to download this free program:

Complete the "Search by Student Profile" below to find scholarships listed in the DEF database.

More places to look:

1.) If you are a high school student, be sure to check your school's website and with the guidance office for school-specific requirements when applying for any scholarship. Usually the guidance office will need your completed application materials BEFORE the actual scholarship deadline and they will post that earlier date as the school deadline for each scholarship application.

2.) Check with the financial aid offices of any colleges you wish to attend. Each has scholarships specific to that school. You can obtain degrees from ELEVEN colleges/universities without leaving lower Delmarva. (Some degrees are offered by distance education at local campuses.) Here are links to the financial aid pages of their websites:

3.) Many additional scholarships for local students are available through area Community Foundations.For students in Maryland, go to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. For students in Delaware, go to the Delaware Community Foundation .

4.) Finally, still more scholarships may be found through links on the DEF Federal and State Resources page. It includes information about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) which every student should submit, in addition to state scholarship programs. For instance go to the Maryland Higher Education Commission site, www.mhec.state.md.us  for scholarship programs for Maryland residents going to a Maryland college. For Delaware residents go to the site of the Delaware Higher Education Office; under "Publications" check out the Delaware Scholarship Compendium . And Virginia students should also look at the financial aid programs available at  www.schev.edu the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. 

GOOD LUCK!