Yes, you can pay for college! We’ll show you how.

Stand By Me NexGen, a partnership between the United Way of Delaware and the Delaware Higher Education Office, is a program available to all Delaware public and charter high schools that provides financial aid information, resources and direct assistance to high school juniors and seniors and their families as they navigate the world of financial aid for college.

Program Goals:

• Expand student & family outreach by conducting targeted workshops, virtual info sessions, and school-based events to reach at least 5,000 Delawareans annually with clear, accessible FAFSA guidance
• Maintain training and deployment of FAFSA Champions (to include school counselors and community leaders) to assist students in completing the FAFSA accurately and on time
• Strengthen school & community partnerships through collaboration with high schools, youth organizations, and college access groups to integrate FAFSA completion into key programming and senior-year checklists
• Leverage real-time FAFSA completion data to identify underperforming schools and implement focused campaigns and follow-up support in those areas
• Build a statewide FAFSA awareness campaign that includes storytelling, social media engagement, school shoutouts, and community spotlights to normalize and promote timely FAFSA completion across Delaware

Current Programs

NOTE: All NexGen programs are offered both in schools and online. Check with your school counselor to find out when Stand by Me will be at your school.

For public events via Zoom, click on the “Register Here” button below to register for online appointments and workshops. Programming is available in both English and Spanish.

Paying for College Presentation

This presentation provides an overview of the many options available to families to pay for college. The goal is to inform students and parents about government grants, scholarships, loans, FAFSA application procedures, and additional services and programs provided by Stand by Me NexGen.

Note: Paying for College – Juniors version is available after April 1.

Scholarships 101 Presentation

This presentation explores scholarship opportunities from the federal and state governments as well as from institutions, private organizations, and online sources. The goal is to inform students and parents about scholarship opportunities and the application process. Appropriate for all grades.  Scholarship deadlines shared may be more specific to Grade 12.

After FAFSA Presentation

This presentation directs students on their “next steps” after the FAFSA has been submitted. The goal is to provide students with guidance on tasks to accomplish and college offices with which to connect, as well as inform students of additional services and programs provided by Stand by Me NexGen. “Summer Melt” is defined and tips given on how to avoid it.

Choose Your Own Path! Post-Secondary Options Presentation

This workshop, appropriate for all grades, provides an overview of the various post-secondary options available to students after graduation from high school. Through this presentation, students and parents will be given information, action steps, and resources relating to both educational and work-based paths to career attainment.

FAFSA Completion Workshop

This is a “hands-on” in-school group workshop with Stand by Me NexGen FAFSA experts.  It will provide students and families with actual, real-time assistance in completing the 26-27 FAFSA. Available in English and Spanish, it is appropriate for Grade 12.  Time: Allow for a 2-hour workshop. The average FAFSA can take 45-60 minutes to complete. Available after October 1.

FAFSA Online Appointments

Students/parents can make a free Zoom individual appointment with a Stand by Me NexGen FAFSA expert.   It will provide students and families with personal, actual, real-time assistance in completing the 26-27 FAFSA. Available in English and Spanish, it is appropriate for Grade 12.  Time: 1 hour. Available after October 1.

Award Letter Coaching Appointments

Students/parents can make a free Zoom appointment with a Stand by Me NexGen financial aid expert.   It will provide students and families with personal, actual, real-time assistance in understanding and responding to post-secondary award letters from institutions of higher education.  Appropriate for Grade 12.  Time: 1 hour. Available after April 1.