Delaware STEM Talent Advancement and Retention (STAR) Fund

The STAR Fund was created to incentivize, retain, and attract higher education graduates employed or considering employment in STEM fields in Delaware by providing reimbursement of higher education loans.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold an associate, bachelor’s, graduate, or post-graduate STEM degree from an accredited postsecondary institution.
• Be employed full-time (35+ hours per week) by a Delaware-based employer. This includes companies with:
  • Principal place of business is in Delaware.
  • At least 51% of employees work at a Delaware-based location.
  • Registered to conduct business in Delaware and reported Delaware tax liability the previous year.
• Work in one or more eligible fields:
  • Life, natural, or environmental sciences
  • Computer information or software technology
  • Advanced mathematics or finance
  • Engineering
  • Medical device technology

Preference is given to applicants who are permanent Delaware residents or who attended a Delaware college or university.

Applications open on July 14, 2025, and will close on July 31, 2025. Applicants will need to provide the following documentation:

1. Completed Application Form: Available through the application portal.
2. Employer Endorsement Form: Confirming full-time employment in Delaware. Download the Employer Endorsement Form here.
3. Resume: Including current position and employer details.
4. Transcripts: Showing degree(s) earned. Unofficial transcripts are accepted but must display coursework, grades, GPA, and institution name.
5. Loan Details: Documentation for each loan account that includes the following information:
   • Account holder information (name, address, account number)
   • Loan provider information
   • Loan terms, payment schedule, including minimum required payment amount, total loan amount and interest rate
   • Evidence of participation in other loan repayment programs, if applicable, including income-based repayment letters and employer-run program agreements.
6. Personal Statement: As part of your application, we ask you to share more about yourself so we can better understand your background, motivations, and future goals. Please take a few moments to reflect on and respond to the following prompts. Your answers will help us learn how we can best support your journey. (max 3000 characters)
   • Tell us about yourself and your background.
   • Tell us why you want to stay in Delaware.
   • Tell us about any personal circumstances you’d like us to know.
   • What are your goals and aspirations?

Applications are evaluated by the Fund Committee, which includes representatives from the Delaware Division of Small Business, BioConnectDE, and experts in STEM hiring and workforce development.

The committee reviews applications on a competitive, name-blind basis. Selected participants receive an award letter via email and must accept the award within 30 days by countersigning and returning the letter.

Award amounts are based on the degree level:

• Associate degree: Up to $1,000
• Bachelor’s degree: Up to $4,000
• Graduate/post-graduate degree: Up to $6,000

Participants must submit annual reports to confirm continued eligibility and loan repayment status. The Delaware STEM Talent Advancement and Retention (STAR) Fund is a pilot program with current funding to support one year.

July 14 – 31, 2025: Applications for the Delaware STEM Talent Advancement and Retention (STAR) Fund open

August 2025: Applications will be reviewed by the Fund Committee

September 2025: Awardees selected by the Fund Committee

October 2025: Award letters issued.

The Fund Committee will email an award letter to each selected applicant. Awardees will have 30 days from the date the award letter is emailed to them to accept the award by countersigning the letter and delivering an executed copy to the Division of Small Business. The award letter will require awardee’s consent to the public disclosure of the awardee’s identity, institution of higher learning, and their employer.

In addition, awardees will be required, within six months after the end of each service period, to provide a notarized certification attesting to the truth and accuracy of the following information:

1. The amount of eligible expenses the awardee has incurred and paid;
2. That the awardee continues to meet the eligibility requirements throughout the service period.
3. That the award does not exceed the original student loan amount, plus any capitalized interest, excluding any award previously received from the STAR fund
4. That the awardee is current on their student loan repayment obligations.

Award amounts for education loan expenses:

• Up to $1,000 for an associate degree
• Up to $4,000 for a bachelor’s degree
• Up to $6,000 for a graduate or post-graduate degree