Financial Aid

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the first step in the financial aid process for both federal programs (Pell Grant, Direct Loans, Parent PLUS Loans) and state programs. The personal and financial information reported on the FAFSA is how a student’s eligibility is determined for all aid, including grants, student loans and work-study positions. It is recommended that students complete the FAFSA online for the quickest possible processing​. 

DCAD’s Federal School CODE is 041398 

Special Circumstances

Some examples are reduction in income, insecure housing, and dependency questions. Please contact the Financial Aid Department.

For more information about dependency status, click here.

Federal Work Study

Federal work study enables students to earn money for their education expenses. Students work 5 to 15 hours per week, are paid and receive paychecks on the 15th and 30th of each month. Positions include: office assistants, lab monitors, student ambassadors, tutors, instructor aides, reading assistants, etc. Students also have been placed at various off-campus sites within walking distance of DCAD, including The Delaware Contemporary.

Current Work Study employment opportunities:

• Student Services Assistant
• Library Assistant
• 3D Lab Monitor
• Fine Arts Assistant
• Assistant at The Delaware Contemporary 
• Admissions and Marketing Ambassador

State Vocational Rehabilitation Offices

The Financial Aid Office works with government agencies such as State Vocational Rehabilitation Offices, for students with documented disabilities seeking various recuperative educational grants. Students should check with their state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Offices for details and to determine eligibility for grants.

Veterans Benefits

DCAD also works closely with students who are or have served in the military i.e. active duty, veterans, and/or dependents, to secure military educational benefits.

Veterans who need information regarding their Montgomery GI Bill benefits need to log on to the VA website.

5 Must-Know GI Bill Facts

GI Comparison Tool

Federal student loans available to all undergraduate students. A student may borrow up to $3,500 in Subsidized Stafford Loans for the freshman year and $4,500 for the sophomore year; students may receive up to an additional $2,000 per year in Unsubsidized Stafford Loan monies.

With a Subsidized Stafford Loan, no interest is accrued while the student is enrolled at least half-time in college. With an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, interest does accrue while a student is enrolled at least half-time in college.
Independent students and those whose parents’ PLUS Loan was denied are also eligible for an additional $4,000 per year in Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. More information can be found here.

All students must complete Direct Loan entrance and exit counseling when they enter and separate from the school.

Federal Plus Loan

PLUS Loans are federally-funded and available to working parents who have good credit.

Once credit is approved, parents can complete a promissory note for any amount up to the student’s total cost of attendance for an academic year as determined by their school’s financial aid office and less any other financial aid the student may be receiving before applying for a PLUS Loan. A parent may defer making payments while their student is enrolled at least half-time.

Private Education Loans

Private financing options such as alternative loans are subject to credit checks and prior approval from lenders.

DCAD Tuition Payment Plan

DCAD makes it as easy as possible to pay your yearly tuition. All payments are due by the College’s published dates, unless students choose to participate in our payment plan. Students interested in the payment plan should call the Bursar’s Office at 302.622.8867 ext. 218 for more information.

Grants are considered “gift aid” and do not have to be repaid.

Federal Pell Grants

Funds received through this program depend on a student’s financial need (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education) and the cost of attendance associated with DCAD. 

• Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, matriculate into an undergraduate program of study and demonstrates financial need. Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for this grant.  
• Apply: Complete the FAFSA. Visit the https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-app/ROLES  for step-by-step instructions and helpful hints on navigating this process. 

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

Funds received through this program depend on a student’s financial need (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education), and other financial aid packaged the student’s account. FSEOG funds are disbursed by the school. 

• Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, matriculate into an undergraduate program of study and demonstrates financial need. Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for this grant.   
• Apply: Complete the FAFSA. Visit https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-app/ROLES for step-by-step instructions and helpful hints on navigating this process. 

State Grants

Most states offer grant programs to their residents, however, some states do not permit grant eligibility to residents who study out-of-state. Each state has its own guidelines, application deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Students should contact the Higher Education Agency in their home state for details. A FAFSA must be completed.

Residents for Delaware

Residents of Pennsylvania 

DCAD Need-Based Grant

DCAD awards grants to students who demonstrate need based upon the information reported on their FAFSA. A FAFSA must be completed. However, if financial circumstances change, contact the DCAD Financial Aid Office to discuss the situation. Satisfactory academic progress must be maintained to continue receiving a DCAD Need-Based Grant.

DCAD Merit-Based Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded based on an applicant’s’ academic and artistic skill at the time of acceptance to the college.

Merit-Based Scholarships are renewable for the second year for students who maintain full-time status and satisfactory academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.0). The deadline to be considered for a Merit-Based Scholarship is March 15th for the fall semester.

Other Scholarships Resources

DCAD has partnered with The Woman’s Opportunities Resource Center in Philadelphia to give $3,000 to DCAD students who are currently working and able to save $1,000 over a six month period. Contact Financial Aid at [email protected] for the program requirements.

• Fastweb
• For Delaware Residents
• For New Castle County Delaware
• Stuart B. Young Scholarship – awarded to students that demonstrate exceptional academic success. Please contact Financial Aid for the scholarship requirements.