Delaware Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others, Honoring Sacrifice Through Education – Full Tuition Support
The Delaware Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others is a meaningful state-supported program that provides full tuition assistance to eligible children who have lost a parent in military service or certain public service roles. Administered by the Delaware Higher Education Office, this program serves as a lasting tribute to the sacrifice of Delaware’s veterans and public servants by removing the financial burden of tuition for their children’s higher education.
Program Details
- Award Type: Full tuition coverage at eligible institutions
- Degree Level: Undergraduate (Bachelor’s and Associate degrees)
- Study Mode: Full-time enrollment only
- Field of Study: Open to all accredited undergraduate programs (no subject restrictions)
Important Note: This benefit does not cover certificate programs, diploma programs, non-degree studies, continuing education, or part-time enrollment.
Benefits
Eligible students receive:
- Full tuition paid directly to the institution
- Significant financial relief for pursuing a college degree
- Recognition of their parent’s service and sacrifice
- Opportunity to focus on academic success without tuition costs
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this program, applicants must:
- Be a child of one of the following:
- A U.S. military service member who died as a result of service
- A prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA) service member
- A Delaware State Police officer killed in the line of duty
- A Delaware Department of Transportation employee whose death was job-related
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have been a Delaware resident for at least 3 consecutive years prior to application
- For military cases: The parent must have been a Delaware resident at the time of death or MIA status
- Enroll full-time in an accredited college or university
Application Procedure
- Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements (residency and qualifying parent status).
- Complete the official application through the Delaware Higher Education Office.
- Submit required supporting documents, including proof of parent’s service/death and residency verification.
- Await review and approval by the state education authority.
Applications are evaluated based on eligibility verification and complete documentation.
Important Deadline
Application Deadline: May 15, 2027
Early submission is strongly recommended.
Published: April 18, 2026
This program stands as a powerful commitment by the State of Delaware to support the educational dreams of children who have lost a parent in service to our nation or community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does this program cover full tuition? Yes. Eligible students receive full tuition coverage at accredited institutions (amount varies based on the school’s tuition rate).
Who qualifies as a “deceased veteran or public servant”? Children of U.S. military members who died in service, POW/MIA personnel, Delaware State Police officers killed in the line of duty, and Delaware DOT employees whose death was job-related.
Is Delaware residency required? Yes. Applicants must have lived in Delaware for at least 3 consecutive years before applying. The deceased parent must also have met the residency requirement at the time of their service-related death.
Can I use this benefit for any major? Yes. There are no restrictions on the field of study, as long as it is a full-time accredited undergraduate degree program.