Maybe he needs a smaller school - it’s tough at larger schools to find that “encouragement”.
I was thinking like a Bama for auto merit but he doesn’t have the test score.
Can you go check out both departments - and see - maybe there is that support in the Applied as @fiftyfifty1 noted - maybe UMD is a winner and it’s all good as is.
Delaware is definitely smaller but does that mean more supporting - that’s tough.
Kids need to seek out the support no matter where they go. I don’t see UVM as a possibility - if money is a concern, with his #s, it’s not going to put you where you need to be. Maybe U Maine. Did you look at St. Mary’s in Maryland - a public and a small school - perhaps they’d give him the support needed?
Best of luck.