Nebraska scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Nebraska runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Open to most students
Nebraska Career Scholarship (University of Nebraska)
Minimum $8,000 per year at UNL ($4,000/semester); up to $8,000 per year at UNK; up to four yearsUniversity of Nebraska System (state-funded)
Open now · due November 1, 2026Highly selective, state-funded scholarship of at least $8,000 a year (at UNL) for Nebraska residents in high-demand majors at University of Nebraska campuses.
- What it takes: state application + transcript
- For students starting college, undergrads
- For engineering, mathematics, computer science students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)
Full tuition at the state college (not summer) + guaranteed UNMC admissionNebraska State Colleges and University of Nebraska Medical Center (state-funded)
Open now · due December 1, 2026Full-tuition scholarship at Chadron State, Peru State or Wayne State plus guaranteed admission to UNMC for rural Nebraskans heading into health careers.
- What it takes: state application + interview + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- For healthcare, medicine, dentistry students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP)
Full tuition at the state college + presumptive Nebraska College of Law admissionNebraska State Colleges and University of Nebraska College of Law (state-funded)
Open now · due November 15, 2026Full-tuition scholarship at Chadron State, Peru State or Wayne State plus presumptive admission to Nebraska College of Law for students with rural Nebraska ties.
- What it takes: state application + interview + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- For pre-law students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Community College Gap Assistance Program
Partial or full tuition, required books and equipment, and fees (no fixed maximum published)Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Apply any timeCovers tuition, books, equipment and fees for low-income Nebraskans in short-term community college job-training programs that Pell doesn't cover.
- What it takes: state application
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: US citizen or qualified alien verified as lawfully present; DACA recipients not eligible
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)
Varies; set by your college (2024-25 average grant $1,823)Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Apply any timeNebraska's need-based state grant for residents with high financial need at eligible Nebraska colleges; FAFSA only.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nebraska Career Scholarship (Nebraska State Colleges)
$2,000-$15,000 per yearNebraska State College System (state-funded)
Check dates$2,000-$15,000 a year at Chadron State, Peru State or Wayne State for students in approved career programs, renewable up to four years.
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- For business administration, communication, computer science students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nebraska Career Scholarship (community colleges)
Up to $15,000 per yearNebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Check datesRenewable scholarship of up to $15,000 a year at Nebraska community colleges for students in high-demand career programs.
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- For business, computer and technology, engineering students
- Who can get it: US citizen or documented non-citizen (verified through SAVE)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nebraska Career Scholarship (private colleges)
Up to $10,000 per yearNebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Check datesRenewable scholarship of up to $10,000 a year at participating Nebraska private colleges for students in computer science, education, engineering, healthcare or math.
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- For computer information systems, education, engineering students
- Who can get it: US citizen or documented non-citizen (verified through SAVE)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
In the Line of Duty Dependent Education Benefit
Tuition and fees remaining after federal and state grantsState of Nebraska (University of Nebraska, State Colleges and community colleges)
Apply any timeWaives remaining tuition and fees at Nebraska public colleges for children of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty on or after April 23, 2009.
- Who it's for: Child of a Nebraska law enforcement officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty on or after April 23, 2009
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nebraska First Responder Tuition Waiver (First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act)
100% of resident tuition remaining after federal and state grantsState of Nebraska (Nebraska Department of Revenue verification; public colleges waive)
Apply any timeWaives the resident tuition left after other grants for Nebraska law enforcement officers, firefighters and their children at Nebraska public colleges.
- Who it's for: Nebraska law enforcement officer or firefighter (or disabled former one), or their child; correctional and youth detention officers from July 1, 2027
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
- Who can get it: US citizen or qualified alien verified as lawfully present (Neb. Rev. Stat. 4-110 to 4-112)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nebraska National Guard State Tuition Assistance
100% of resident tuition (undergraduate) or 50% (graduate); private colleges capped at the UNL rateNebraska Military Department (Nebraska National Guard)
Apply any time100% of resident tuition for Nebraska National Guard members in undergraduate programs (50% for graduate) at Nebraska colleges; requires 3 more years of Guard service.
- Who it's for: Current Nebraska National Guard member in good standing
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nebraska Waiver of Tuition for Veterans' Dependents
100% of tuition and tuition-related feesNebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs
Apply any time100% of tuition and tuition-related fees at Nebraska public colleges for spouses and children of veterans who are 100% disabled, died of service causes, or were MIA/POW.
- Who it's for: Spouse, surviving spouse, child or stepchild of a veteran rated 100% P&T disabled, deceased from service-connected causes, or MIA/POW
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Door to College (DTC) Scholarship
Up to $5,000 per year (prorated by enrollment; 2025-26)Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Check datesUp to $5,000 a year for Nebraska college students who finished high school or a GED at, or after leaving, a Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC).
- Who it's for: Former Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC) student
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: US citizen or lawfully present non-citizen (Neb. Rev. Stat. 4-108 to 4-112); DACA recipients not eligible
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Career-Readiness and Dual-Credit Education (CRDC) Grant
Actual tuition and fees for up to three courses per year (capped at UNL graduate tuition and fees)Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Opens laterPays tuition and fees for Nebraska teachers taking the coursework or tests needed to teach dual-credit or career and technical education courses.
- Who it's for: Employed high school teacher, college instructor, or sponsored prospective CTE teacher
- What it takes: state application
- For grad students, adults going back to school
- For education students
- Usual timing: Annual; applications open May 1 and close June 15.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.