Updated October 2026 by Carson Flowers, from Delaware's official program pages.
The short answer: Delaware has two full-ride scholarships tied to SAT scores. The Barnes award at the University of Delaware takes a 1290 SAT, and the Holloway award at Delaware State University takes a 1000 SAT, both with a 3.0 unweighted GPA. Each covers full tuition, fees, room, board and books.
The score and GPA for each tier
| Tier | SAT | ACT | GPA | What it pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship | 1290 | Not published | 3.0 unweighted | Full tuition, fees, room, board and books at the University of Delaware |
| Herman M. Holloway Sr. Memorial Scholarship | 1000 | Not published | 3.0 unweighted | Full tuition, fees, room, board and books at Delaware State University |
| Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship | 1290 | Not published | 3.0 unweighted | $1,250 a year |
Beyond the score:
- B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship: Enroll full-time at the University of Delaware and file the FAFSA before the deadline.
- Herman M. Holloway Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Enroll full-time at Delaware State University and file the FAFSA before the deadline.
- Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship: Enroll full-time in a bachelor's program at any accredited college. About 30 awards a year.
How the test score counts
All three use a combined SAT score. DHEO also accepts an equivalent ACT score but does not list the ACT number on its scholarship page. Scores need to be in by the February 26, 2027 application deadline for the class of 2027.
How the GPA is calculated
The 3.0 is an unweighted GPA that DHEO recalculates using only core classes: English language arts, foreign language, math, science and social studies. Honors and AP classes get no extra weight, so this number can be higher or lower than the GPA on your teen's transcript.
Which class year these rules cover
The current cycle, open December 1, 2026 to February 26, 2027, is for the class of 2027. DHEO lists one set of requirements rather than separate ones by graduating class.
Deadlines
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Application window opens | December 1, 2026 |
| Application and all materials due, including the FAFSA | February 26, 2027 at 4:30 p.m. |
| Award notification | No later than August |
| Appeal if denied | Within 2 weeks of the decision. Final decisions by September 30 |
Testing has its own clock: see every 2026-27 date in Delaware SAT test dates.
Keeping it in college
All three renew for up to 3 more years with a 3.0 cumulative college GPA. Each year your teen emails an unofficial transcript to DHEO showing the end-of-year GPA, and keeps contact and enrollment details current in the DHEO Financial Aid Portal.
Where it pays
Barnes pays only at the University of Delaware and Holloway only at Delaware State University. Hebner pays at any accredited college. DHEO sends payment to the school, and books are arranged with the school's financial aid office.
The misconception: Delaware has one score-based scholarship
Delaware runs three separate awards with different SAT lines and different schools. A 1290 opens Barnes at UD and Hebner anywhere, while a 1000 opens Holloway at Delaware State. Families who only hear about the 1290 can miss the full ride at Delaware State.
Free tool
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Find my teen's target scoreQuick answers
What SAT score does my teen need for a Delaware full-ride scholarship?
A 1290 for the Barnes award at the University of Delaware, or a 1000 for the Holloway award at Delaware State University. Both also need a 3.0 unweighted core GPA.
Is the GPA the same as the one on my teen's report card?
Not always. DHEO recalculates an unweighted GPA from core classes only: English, foreign language, math, science and social studies. That can come out higher or lower than the transcript GPA.
What do Barnes and Holloway cover?
Full tuition, required fees, room, board and books. Barnes is for the University of Delaware and Holloway is for Delaware State University.
Can my teen use a Delaware scholarship at an out-of-state college?
Only the Hebner award. It pays $1,250 a year at any accredited college, while Barnes and Holloway are tied to UD and Delaware State.
What happens if my teen's college GPA drops below 3.0?
The award can be denied for the next year. Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, shown each year on an unofficial transcript sent to DHEO.
When is the deadline for the class of 2027?
February 26, 2027 at 4:30 p.m. The window opens December 1, 2026, and the FAFSA must also be filed by the deadline.
Sources
Rules change by class year. Confirm with the program's own pages before you plan around any summary, ours included.
Turn the cutoff into a plan
Knowing the number is the easy part. In a free Strategy Session we put your teen's current score next to the Barnes, Holloway and Hebner line and the ranges at their Delaware colleges, then build the six to twelve week plan to close the gap. More for Delaware families: Delaware SAT prep and SAT Scores for Delaware Colleges.