Students who are struggling to pay for school within the state of Nebraska can look into getting the Nebraska Opportunity Grant or the College Access Program. Nebraska state grants are intended to help low-income or academically successfully students attend the college of their dreams.
This situation benefits both Nebraska and the students. Nebraska wants to keep as many of its bright and talented youth within the state. After graduation, students who went to school in Nevada choose to stay in the state and increase the state’s economy. Overall, this situation works out best for everyone.
Nebraska Opportunity Grant
Students who want to receive the Nebraska Opportunity Grant must meet certain requirements. They should be residents of the state and have submitted their FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. Once the state receives the FAFSA application, they will look at the students Expected Family Contribution. If it is within the year’s parameters, the student will receive a Nebraska Opportunity Grant. Students who receive the grant must go to a post-secondary school within the state of Nebraska. On occasion, the college will also require a separate application for the program so students should always ask the financial aid office in advance.
College Access Challenge Grant (CACGP)
Across the nation, minority and low-income students are not equally represented in the nation’s school system. The United States Department of Education created the College Access Challenge Grant so that every student could have a chance at getting an education.
Through this federal project, the Governor of Nebraska has decided that the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education would receive the majority of Nebraska’s grant money.
Other scholastic projects can be funded by the CACGP, but most will get their funding through Nebraska’s coordinating commission. In the past, the commission has funded financial education, career or guidance counselors and college admissions counselors. Each year the commission awards over one million dollars to each of the subsidiary programs in Nebraska.
These programs can receive the money to run their operations, but must reapply every five years to continue to obtain grant money.
Improving Teacher Quality
Any state has to focus on the quality of its teachers before the overall level of education approves. In Nebraska, the government hands out Nebraska state grants that are intended to help teachers succeed. Each grant is not handed out to just one person. Instead, they are awarded by local educational organizations that need help to develop. These programs can be used to improve the skills of the professors, principals, paraprofessionals or teachers.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
The state of Nebraska funds this scholarship for talented individuals on a yearly basis. The $1,500 scholarship is available to any Nebraskan resident with at least a 3.5 GPA. Other than this requirement, students are expected to enroll at a four-year university and receive at least a 17 on their ACTs.
[contentblock id=1]
Academic Competitiveness Grant
Any student who has demonstrated a propensity for success and academic potential should apply for an Academic Competitiveness Grant. Students must have a list of challenging courses on their transcript and have a very high GPA. For successful applicants, $1,300 will be awarded toward the cost of their schooling. As long as the student continues to outperform others, they will be able to renew this scholarship annually.
Repayment Grant for Medical Students
Currently, the state of Nebraska is facing a shortage of medical students. To try and aid the shortage, Nebraska is offering any eligible medical personal $30,000 in loan forgiveness. Doctors or physician’s assistants must serve in high-need areas for at least three years before their loans will be forgiven.
Nursing Student Grant Program
Every year, nursing students can apply for at up to $2,000 in funding through this program. Future nurses who want to obtain this grant must have a low EFC and be a resident in the state of Nebraska. After the completion of schooling, the nurse must spend three years working as a nurse in the state for the total amount to be wiped clean from their record. If a nurse does not finish their course of work for any reason, they will have to pay back the entire amount of the grant.
EMU National Scholars Grant
Any student who is looking to go out of state for school should apply for this grant. It can cover four years of school and up to thirty credits of an education. Students who apply for the program must be entering college as a freshman and must be living on campus for the first two years. Successful applicants also have a history of academic success and at least a 3.5 GPA. Currently, students who receive the EMU National Scholars Grant will obtain a maximum of $12,601 every semester.
Nebraska National Guard Credit
This tuition credit is intended for students who are currently serving in the National Guard. Each year, 1,200 tuition credits are given out. The qualifying students who receive this may attend college at no cost. This tuition credit never has to be paid back and is not awarded based on financial need or achievement.
Raise the Nation Foundation (For Single Mothers In Nebraska)
Few single mothers can balance the workload required of being a parent, working full-time and attending school. To make things easier for single mothers, this foundation offers a grant that can make their college education that much easier. The goal of the program is to help women start a new career and get the education they need to be the best parents. Grant money can cover the current cost of school or even pay back former student loan debt.
Elks Association Vocational Grant
Every high school senior can apply for this grant. They must be planning on going to some form of technical school, community college or trade school. The grant is intended to cover any vocational training that takes less than two-years. If students choose to use it for a community college, they are not allowed to transfer any unused money toward a university education.
To apply, students must have a parent who is a member of their local Elks Lodge in Nebraska. The scholarship is granted to a boy and a girl from each chapter. Students must turn in their applications by January 10 to have a chance at receiving this educationally award.
Norman and Ruth Good Educational Endowment
This highly specialized program is awarded to just 15 students annually. Nebraskan residents can apply for this endowment and receive $500 to $2,000 toward the cost of school. This one-time award is available to students who are in good academic standing and are currently enrolled at a four-year college.
Loan Forgiveness for Teachers
Teachers in the state of Nebraska can apply for this program if they want to have their loans forgiven. This grant is given out to teachers who are teaching to low-income students or at a tribal school. Any teacher who is already at a tribal school will automatically be enrolled with the loan forgiveness program. This program was set up to encourage teachers to work in areas that historically have suffered from a shortage of teachers.
Teachers who apply for the program must have their Nebraskan teacher certification and cannot currently be in default on any educational loan.
Online resources:
Nebraska department of education
