Nebraska benefits for college students

Food assistance: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Nebraska's name for SNAP, run by Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

Apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Health coverage: Nebraska Medicaid (adult expansion: Heritage Health Adult)

Nebraska has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Apply for Nebraska Medicaid (adult expansion: Heritage Health Adult)

Child care help: Child Care Subsidy Program

Going to college or training can count, with limits. DHHS lists 'going to school or trainings' as a qualifying activity. The Title 392 regulations allow care for a parent enrolled in and regularly attending vocational or educational training for a high school/equivalency diploma or an undergraduate degree or certificate (including ESL). No care for a second undergraduate degree or any post-graduate school (and in a two-parent family neither parent qualifies if one is). Education beyond high school/GED must fit the parent's employment goals and lead to self-support, and the parent must be in good standing / making satisfactory progress. Study time is not covered except a reasonable time between classes; care is capped at 60 hours a week. In two-parent families, a qualifying reason must apply to each adult.

Apply for Child Care Subsidy Program · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program (NTAP): Adds $3.50 a month on top of federal Lifeline for qualifying individuals on one landline/wireless phone bill (or minutes on an eligible cell phone plan). You must be enrolled in federal Lifeline and also file a Citizenship Attestation form with the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline (Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program (NTAP))

Taxes

Nebraska residents and partial-year residents who have a federal earned income credit get a state credit equal to 10% of the federal credit (prorated for partial-year residents); nonresidents cannot claim it. NebFile, run by the Nebraska Department of Revenue, lets full-year Nebraska residents e-file their state income tax return free online (with some limits on which schedules/adjustments it handles). The DOR also points to MyFreeTaxes (free federal and state filing) and free VITA/TCE help.

Nebraska Earned Income Credit · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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