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Money help for people in Dover, Delaware
Programs that help with buying a home, fixing your home, a mortgage, college, or a small business. Pick your need below.
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Call 211AskDover reads these program pages every day to look for changes. A person reviews each change before this page is updated.
Buying a home
Dover First Start (down payment and settlement help)
Only for homes inside the City of Dover
Who it is for: First-time homebuyers (no home owned in the past 3 years) buying a home to live in inside the City of Dover, with household income between 60% and 80% of the area median. You need a credit score of 620 or higher, at least $1,000 of your own cash, and a homebuyer class with a HUD-certified counselor.
What you can get: A grant of up to $20,000 toward settlement costs and down payment. The City holds a second lien, and the grant is fully forgiven after 10 years if you keep living in the home.
How to apply: Read the program guidelines, then contact City of Dover Community Development. Money is given first come, first served. The City posts how much money is left in this fund, so ask how much is left before you count on it.
Is it open? Not confirmed. Check with City of Dover Community Development.
Checked by AskDover on November 2, 2026. Check with City of Dover Community Development Program guidelines (PDF)
Delaware State Housing Authority down payment help (First State, Keys4You, Take5)
Anywhere in Delaware
Who it is for: Homebuyers who get a Welcome Home (first-time buyers) or Open Door (first-time and repeat buyers) mortgage through the Delaware State Housing Authority. Credit score of 620 or higher, and income and price limits apply.
What you can get: A zero-interest second mortgage for your down payment and closing costs, with no monthly payment: 3% of the loan with First State, 4% with Keys4You, or 5% with Take5 (Take5 is for Welcome Home loans only).
How to apply: Ask a lender that offers Delaware State Housing Authority home loans, or start on the housing authority homebuyer page.
Is it open? Not confirmed. Check with Delaware State Housing Authority.
Checked by AskDover on November 2, 2026. Check with Delaware State Housing Authority
Fixing your home
Where you live decides who can help. Kent County home repair programs do not serve homes inside the City of Dover. If you live inside the city, ask the City of Dover. If you live in Kent County outside the city, ask Kent County.
Not sure if your home is inside the city? A Dover mailing address does not always mean the city. Look up your address
If you live inside the City of Dover
Ask City of Dover Community Development about home repair help.
If you live in Kent County outside the City of Dover
Ask Kent County Community Development about home repair help.
Kent County home repair help (CDBG and HOME)
Only for homes in Kent County outside the City of Dover
Who it is for: Homeowners with low or moderate income in a house or manufactured home in Kent County outside the City of Dover. People inside the City of Dover cannot use it.
What you can get: Grants for repairs to the home you own and live in. There is a waiting list.
How to apply: Fill out the waiting list referral form on the Kent County Community Development page.
Is it open? Not confirmed. Check with Kent County Community Development.
Checked by AskDover on November 2, 2026. Check with Kent County Community Development
Programs for all of Delaware
Statewide Emergency Repair Program
Anywhere in Delaware
Who it is for: Homeowners who have lived in their home at least 1 year, with household income at or below 80% of the area median, and an urgent health or safety problem such as no heat in winter, broken plumbing, unsafe wiring, or a leaking roof.
What you can get: Repair or replacement of heating, plumbing, electric, and roofing, and grab bars or ramps for people with disabilities.
How to apply: Milford Housing Development Corporation runs the program for the housing authority and helps homeowners apply. Read the housing authority page, then contact Milford Housing Development Corporation.
Is it open? Not confirmed. Check with Delaware State Housing Authority.
Checked by AskDover on November 2, 2026. Check with Delaware State Housing Authority
Weatherization Assistance Program
Anywhere in Delaware
Who it is for: Households with low income. The income limit depends on household size and is listed on the program page.
What you can get: Free work to help your home use less energy, such as insulation and sealing air leaks. It is not a home repair program and does not replace furnaces, windows, or air conditioners.
How to apply: The program page says to call the Energy Coordinating Agency to set up an appointment.
Is it open? Not confirmed. Check with DNREC Weatherization Assistance Program.
Checked by AskDover on November 2, 2026. Check with DNREC Weatherization Assistance Program
Behind on your mortgage
We have not confirmed a program that is open now for people behind on a mortgage. For free legal help with housing, call Community Legal Aid Society.
Legal help with housing
Community Legal Aid Society, Kent County Office. Official page
Paying for college or training
SEED scholarship
Anywhere in Delaware
Who it is for: Delaware residents going to Delaware Technical Community College or the University of Delaware Associate in Arts program. Degree programs need a 2.5 GPA. Some Delaware Tech workforce training has no GPA rule.
What you can get: Free tuition. At Delaware Tech it can be used for up to 10 semesters.
How to apply: Fill out the FAFSA every year, and check the program page for the rules.
Is it open? Not confirmed. Check with Delaware Student Success.
Checked by AskDover on November 2, 2026. Check with Delaware Student Success
Inspire scholarship
Anywhere in Delaware
Who it is for: Delaware high school graduates who start at Delaware State University in the fall right after graduation, with at least a 2.75 GPA. You must do at least 10 hours of community service each semester.
What you can get: Full tuition at Delaware State University for 4 years.
How to apply: Fill out the FAFSA every year, and check the program page for the rules.
Is it open? Not confirmed. Check with Delaware Student Success.
Checked by AskDover on November 2, 2026. Check with Delaware Student Success
Small business
We have not confirmed a money program for small businesses in Dover yet.
Utility bills
For help with a shutoff notice or a heating, cooling, or electric bill, see our utility bills page. Utility bill help