Dover Democratic Rep. Darryl Scott introduced a bill in the House May 6 that would provide scholarships to in-state high school graduates who attend Delaware State University.

The Delaware State Inspire Scholarship created by House Bill 399 would be similar to the SEED scholarship program created under former Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, which provides tuition for associate degree programs at Delaware Technical and Community College and the University of Delaware.

Delaware State University is not covered by the SEED program since the school does not offer any associate degree programs.

Administrators at DSU, including President Dr. Harry L. Williams, have lobbied for a SEED-type program applicable to the institution that would take pressure off its strained financial aid fund.

“We’re finally giving our Delaware kids an opportunity to choose Delaware State with a scholarship,” Scott said.

Like the SEED program, the Inspire Scholarship is open to students who graduate from a Delaware high school and enroll in classes for the fall semester immediately following graduation.

To qualify for the Inspire scholarship, applicants must finish high school with at least a 2.75 grade point average, have a clean criminal record and be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program at Delaware State.

To keep the scholarship an applicant must maintain a 2.75 GPA, complete 10 hours of community service, keep a clean criminal record and maintain full-time status for two semesters in each academic year.

Exceptions to the enrollment requirements may be granted by DSU administration when necessary.

Although Scott said he’s still sorting out how much money would need to be dedicated to the Inspire Scholarship each year and where that funding would come from, the bill mandates parity with the SEED scholarship.

According to the legislation, students are eligible for the Inspire Scholarship for a maximum of eight semesters, compared to six semesters of eligibility under the SEED program.

The bill also says a student’s total awards under the Inspire program may not exceed the total amount awarded to a SEED recipient.

Email Doug Denison at doug.denison@doverpost.com.