Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Nebraska's need-based state grant for residents with high financial need at eligible Nebraska colleges; FAFSA only.
- How much
- Varies; set by your college (2024-25 average grant $1,823)
- Who qualifies
- Nebraska resident (Neb. Rev. Stat. 85-502); no prior bachelor's, graduate or professional degree; Student Aid Index at or below 110% of the Pell Grant maximum SAI; enrolled in an eligible program at a participating Nebraska institution (full- or part-time).
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA-driven; awarded by each college from limited funds, so file the FAFSA as early as possible after it opens (Oct 1) and meet your college's priority deadline.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA (studentaid.gov) listing your Nebraska college
- No separate state application
- Some colleges also require their own aid application
- Check your college's FAFSA priority deadline
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ccpe.nebraska.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Nebraska's only need-based state grant for postsecondary students (formerly the Nebraska State Grant). For Nebraska residents who have not earned a bachelor's, graduate or professional degree and have high financial need: a Student Aid Index at or below 110% of the maximum SAI that qualifies for a federal Pell Grant. Full- or part-time undergraduates in an eligible program at a participating Nebraska public, private nonprofit or private career school. The Commission allocates funds to schools; each school picks recipients and sets award amounts within limits and its allocation. Under the program rules, an award cannot exceed 50% of full-time resident undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Funding is limited: in 2024-25 about 13,400 students received NOG while nearly 18,000 more qualified but got nothing because funds ran out, so file the FAFSA early.
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
- Community College Gap Assistance ProgramPartial or full tuition, required books and equipment, and fees (no fixed maximum published)
- 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
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.