Community College Gap Assistance Program
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Covers tuition, books, equipment and fees for low-income Nebraskans in short-term community college job-training programs that Pell doesn't cover.
- How much
- Partial or full tuition, required books and equipment, and fees (no fixed maximum published)
- Who qualifies
- Nebraska resident; family income at or below 250% of HHS poverty guidelines; enrolled in an approved Gap program of study (non-credit or short credit program not Pell-eligible) at a Nebraska community college.
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- US citizen or qualified alien verified as lawfully present; DACA recipients not eligible
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling; apply through your community college before your program starts.
- How to apply
- Contact the Gap Assistance representative at your community college (Central, Metropolitan, Mid-Plains, Northeast, Southeast or Western Nebraska CC) and complete the Gap student application there
- Income is verified with your most recent IRS Form 1040
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ccpe.nebraska.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
For low-income students (family income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines) in non-credit programs of at least 16 contact hours, or for-credit programs too short for Pell, at Nebraska's six community colleges, in in-demand fields (health, construction, trucking, welding, IT, manufacturing, education and more; 330+ approved programs such as CNA, EMT, CDL, OSHA, plumbing, pharmacy tech). Pays part or all of tuition, direct training costs, required books and equipment, and fees including industry testing and background checks. Each community college recruits and selects recipients from its allocation. 2025 income limits (250% of poverty): $39,125 for a household of 1, $80,375 for 4.
More money from Nebraska
- Nebraska Career Scholarship (Nebraska State Colleges)$2,000-$15,000 per year
- Nebraska Career Scholarship (community colleges)Up to $15,000 per year
- Nebraska Career Scholarship (private colleges)Up to $10,000 per year
- 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 years
- Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)Varies; set by your college (2024-25 average grant $1,823)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Wyoming
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.