SCHOLARSHIPS IN NEBRASKA

If you are searching for scholarships in Nebraska to help cover the costs of attending one of the 15 public and 17 private universities within its borders, you are certainly in luck! Despite the fact that the 16th largest state in the United States is best known for its corn production, cattle, tornadoes, and historic trails, the Great Plains of Nebraska provide a gorgeous backdrop to some of the best universities in the Midwest. Whether you hail from the state or are considering becoming a Cornhusker, the following are 25 of the most generous scholarships available to reduce the financial burden of earning a college degree in Nebraska.

1. Access College Early Scholarship Program

Deadline: Varies

Established by the Nebraska Legislature in 2007, the Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program is designed to pay tuition and mandatory academic fees for low-income high school students who are enrolling in college courses from any Nebraska post-secondary institutions. In order to qualify for the scholarship, the student or student's family must be approved to participate in one of the federal need-based government programs due to extreme hardship from a low family income.

Contact

Access College Early Scholarship Program
140 North 8th St. Suite 300
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 471-0032

Scholarship Link

2. BBB Student of Integrity Award Scholarships

Deadline: March 7th

Sponsored by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Student of Integrity Award Scholarships are granted for $2,000 to graduating high school seniors from Nebraska, South Dakota, the Kansas Plains, or Southeast Iowa who plan to continue their education after graduation at any accredited U.S. institution. Recipients will be selected by an independent panel of judges based on essay content, community service involvement, leadership potential, recommendations, and academic achievement.

Contact

BBB Student of Integrity Award Scholarships
300 North 44th St. Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68503
(402) 898-8526

3. Brenda Brown DeSatnick Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: March 31st

Each year, the Brenda Brown DeSatnick Memorial Scholarship is offered for $750 by the Lincoln Community Foundation for female former high school graduates over the age of 25 who reside in Lancaster County of Nebraska and are interested in becoming independent by attending an accredited two or four-year institution in the state. Along with the application, candidates must submit a high school transcript, two letters of recommendation, a 500-word personal essay, and a financial need statement.

Contact

Brenda Brown DeSatnick Memorial Scholarship
215 Centennial Mall Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 474-2345

4. C. Bertrand and Marian Othmer Schultz Collegiate Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

The Nebraska Academy of Sciences presents the C. Bertrand and Marian Othmer Schultz Collegiate Scholarship annually for $3,000 to junior or senior-level students who are enrolled in an accredited institution in Nebraska with a declared major in a natural science discipline, including chemistry, physics, biology, and geology. Eligible candidates must include a letter to describe career plans in a science related industry, science teaching, or scientific research.

Contact

C. Bertrand and Marian Othmer Schultz Collegiate Scholarship
302 Morrill Hall
Lincoln NE 68588
(402) 472-2644

5. Christopher Lawrence Junker Nebraska Scholarship

Deadline: December 1st

Administered by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the Christopher Lawrence Junker Nebraska Scholarship provides up to $1,500 to youth members from Nebraska who are in their senior year of high school or are currently enrolled at an accredited institution within the state. Qualified applicants must demonstrate a commitment to horse racing, be accepted to a two or four-year undergraduate degree program, and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Contact

Christopher Lawrence Junker Nebraska Scholarship
2601 East Interstate 40
Amarillo, TX 79104
(806) 378-5029

6. Dr. Joseph and Sonya Landholm Scholarship

Deadline: September 1st

Created by the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Centennial Scholarship Foundation in honor of one of the first certified veterinary acupuncturists in the Midwest, the Dr. Joseph and Sonya Landholm Scholarship grants up to $4,500 annually to veterinary students in Nebraska who seek to obtain training leading to certification in veterinary acupuncture. Applicants must submit a completed application, list of professional activities, information on veterinary acupuncture coursework, and a personal statement of career goals.

Contact

Dr. Joseph and Sonya Landholm Scholarship
P.O. Box 637
Hastings, NE 68902
(402) 463-4704
Scholarship Website

7. Florence Turner Karlin Scholarship

Deadline: March 31st

In memory of an outstanding woman who taught for 42 years and helped over a thousand children learn to read, the Florence Turner Karlin Scholarship awards $1,000 annually to high school graduates from any high school in Nebraska who will be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in education at a qualified state institution. Qualified candidates must have completed at least his/her sophomore year, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate an interest in elementary education.

Contact

Florence Turner Karlin Scholarship
215 Centennial Mall Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 474-2345

8. George L. Watters Memorial Scholarships

Deadline: March 31st

Annually, the Lincoln Community Foundation grants three George L. Watters Memorial Scholarships for $1,000 each to the offspring of current members of the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers Association who are graduating from any high school in the state with plans to pursue post-secondary education. Eligible applicants must be in the upper one-third of their graduating class, demonstrate leadership qualities, have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, and exhibit financial need for assistance.

Contact

George L. Watters Memorial Scholarships
215 Centennial Mall Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 474-2345

9. Governor's Merit-Based Opportunity Award

Deadline: December 1st

In partnership with Governor Dave Heineman, the Nebraska State College System offers the Governor's Merit-Based Opportunity Award to provide half-tuition to outstanding Nebraska high school graduates who will be attending Chadron, Peru, or Wayne State College. In order to be eligible for the scholarships worth $8,400 over four years, candidates must score between 21 and 24 on the ACT or between 1500 and 1650 on the SAT and enroll as a full-time student for the following fall semester.

Contact

Governor's Merit-Based Opportunity Award
P.O. Box 94605
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2505

10. Gus Swanson Memorial Communications Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

As the largest marketing communications firm in Nebraska, Swanson Russell presents the Gus Swanson Memorial Communications Scholarship annually for $2,000 for up to eight college students who have completed the first semester of their junior year with a major in advertising, marketing, communications, public relations, or visual communication. Eligible candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be enrolled full-time at a Nebraska public institution, and show great interest in the field of marketing.

Contact

Gus Swanson Memorial Communications Scholarship
14301 FNB Parkway Suite 312
Omaha, NE 68154
(402) 437-6409

11. Kenneth E. Schwartz Memorial Agricultural Fund

Deadline: May 31st

In honor of the late Executive Vice President of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Kenneth E. Schwartz Memorial Agricultural Fund offers up to three $1,000 awards for junior or senior-level students at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln who are majoring in an accredited agricultural or agricultural-related degree program. Qualified candidates must demonstrate satisfactory academic performance, be members of a currently paid Farm Bureau family in Nebraska, and provide three letters of recommendation.

Contact

Kenneth E. Schwartz Memorial Agricultural Fund
5225 South 16th St.
Lincoln, NE 68512
(402) 421-4400

12. Louise A. Nixon Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

Established by the Nebraska Library Association in memory of a great figure of the 20th century who significantly contributed to the development of Nebraska's contemporary system of community libraries, the Louise A. Nixon Memorial Scholarship presents $1,000 to support students who are pursuing graduate-level library education. Eligible applicants must be accepted by an ALA-accredited graduate school of library or information science, be a resident of Nebraska, and write a personal statement explaining their employment expectations.

Contact

Louise A. Nixon Memorial Scholarship
514G Kayser Hall
Omaha, NE 68182
(402) 554-2119

13. Nebraska Broadcasters Association Foundation Student Scholarships

Deadline: April 30th

Each year, the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Foundation offers two $1,500 scholarships to provide financial support to students who have completed at least 60 college credits of a degree program in broadcasting, communications, or a related field at a four-year institution within Nebraska. Along with an application, candidates must submit a copy of a current official college transcript, two brief letters of recommendation, and an original essay forecasting what the broadcasting industry will be like in five years.

Contact

Nebraska Broadcasters Association Foundation Student Scholarships
11414 West Center Rd. Suite 342
Omaha, NE 68144
(402) 933-5995

14. Nebraska Elks Association Vocational Scholarship

Deadline: January 6th

The Nebraska Elks Association Vocational Scholarship grants up to $2,000 to graduating high school seniors statewide who plan to attend a one or two-year vocational program leading to an associate's degree, diploma, or certificate at any technical school in Nebraska. Selection for the non-renewable award will be strongly based on motivation, financial need, aptitude toward chosen vocation, grade point average, and letters of endorsement.

Contact

Nebraska Elks Association Vocational Scholarship
905 Charles St.
Falls City, NE 68355
(402) 245-2922

15. Nebraska Insurance Federation Scholarships

Deadline: March 31st

In collaboration with the Nebraska Actuaries Club, the Nebraska Insurance Federation Scholarships provide $4,000 to graduating seniors from any U.S. high school who will be entering the University of Nebraska at one of its three campuses in Lincoln, Omaha, or Kearney with a major in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or economics. Qualified candidates must demonstrate mathematical ability for entering the actuarial field, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, and submit proof of significant test scores.

Contact

Nebraska Insurance Federation Scholarships
P.O. Box 3428
Omaha, NE 68180
(402) 471-4631

16. Nebraska Opportunity Grant

Deadline: March 14th

Administered by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, the Nebraska Opportunity Grant is awarded to graduating high school seniors who have been accepted for full-time enrollment in a Nebraska post-secondary institution. Eligible candidates must demonstrate significant financial need as determined by their EFC on the FAFSA form, be legal Nebraska residents for at least three years, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Contact

Nebraska Opportunity Grant
140 North 8th St. Suite 300
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 471-0032

17. Nebraskans of World War II Scholarship Awards

Deadline: January 20th

Annually, the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation administers four Nebraskans of World War II Scholarship Awards for $1,000 each to qualifying seniors from high schools which encompass the hometowns of the 22 Nebraska sailors that died at Pearl Harbor and remain entombed on the USS Arizona. Along the application, nominees must submit an original two-page essay, official transcript showing an overall GPA of 3.75 or higher, current resume, and statement of goals at an accredited four-year U.S. institution.

Contact

Nebraskans of World War II Scholarship Awards
128 North 13th St. Suite 1010
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 435-3535

18. Norma Ross Walter Scholarship

Deadline: January 31st

With the goal of providing financial assistance to female graduates of Nebraska high schools who plan to enroll as English majors in accredited U.S. institutions, the Willa Cather Foundation offers the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship for up to $2,000 in remembrance of a newspaper editor who was a firm believer in education for women. Recipients will be chosen on the basis of intellectual promise, creativity, academic achievement, moral character, and financial need.

Contact

Norma Ross Walter Scholarship
413 North Webster Rd.
Red Cloud, NE 68970
(866) 731-7304
Scholarship Link

19. Norman and Ruth Good Education Scholarship

Deadline: March 31st

Established in 1984 in honor of two beloved philanthropists who devoted their entire lives to improving education opportunities, the Norman and Ruth Good Education Scholarship will grant $2,500 annually to current college students who are attending a private university in Nebraska with junior or senior-level standing in the upcoming academic year. Eligible candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program, and demonstrate financial need for assistance.

Contact

Norman and Ruth Good Education Scholarship
215 Centennial Mall Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 474-2345

20. Oxbow Animal Health Nebraska Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 1st

For those who are interested in pursuing a career in the pet industry or working in the field of animal health and nutrition, the Oxbow Animal Health Nebraska Scholarship Program provides $1,000 awards annually to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled full-time at an accredited Nebraska institution and have demonstrated a career interest in companion animals. Applicants must attach a current resume, two letters of reference, proof of full-time enrollment, an official sealed transcript, and a 500-word personal essay.

Contact

Oxbow Animal Health Nebraska Scholarship Program
29012 Mill Rd.
Murdock, NE 68407
(800) 249-0366

21. Sowers Club of Nebraska Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 1st

Designed to promote interest in post-secondary education and improve access among those who would otherwise be unable to pay for college, the Sowers Club of Nebraska Scholarship Program offers $1,000 annual awards to graduating high school seniors who will be enrolling as a full-time student at any higher learning institution in Nebraska. Qualified candidates must be legal Nebraska residents, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and submit between three and five letters of recommendation.

Contact

Sowers Club of Nebraska Scholarship Program
1701 South 17th St. Suite 1H
Lincoln, NE 68502
(402) 438-2244

22. Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: February 1st

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation awards numerous scholarships annually to incoming freshmen who have graduated from a public high school in Nebraska and demonstrate financial need for tuition assistance to attend one of the two or four-year public state institutions. In order to qualify for up to $4,250 of funding, students must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) below $15,000, and submit a personal essay discussing educational goals.

Contact

Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarships
222 Kiewit Plaza
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 943-1300

Scholarship Link

23. Urban League of Nebraska Scholarships

Deadline: March 3rd

Each year, the Urban League of Nebraska Scholarships are awarded to assist graduating high school seniors in Nebraska who are in the pursuit of post-secondary education at any accredited higher learning institution in the United States. Eligible candidates are asked to submit high school transcripts with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, two letters of recommendation, a 500-word essay on professional ambitions, and at least 10 hours of documented involvement in community service.

Contact

Urban League of Nebraska Scholarships
3040 Lake St.
Omaha, NE 68111
(402) 451-1066

24. Wallace and Wilma Laughlin Foundation Trust Scholarship

Deadline:

Established by the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association (NEFDA), the Wallace and Wilma Laughling Foundation Trust Scholarship is awarded annually for $1,000 to Nebraska high school graduates who have been accepted into a four-year undergraduate degree program at a mortuary science college within the state. Recipients of the renewable scholarship will be chosen based on a personal interview, academic performance, moral character, and promise for entering a career in mortuary science.

Contact

Wallace and Wilma Laughlin Foundation Trust Scholarship
521 First St. Suite 10
Milford, NE 68405
(402) 761-2217

25. William B. Brandt Scholarships

Deadline: January 31st

With the mission of increasing the number of well-educated and well-trained business leaders in the state, the Nebraska Bankers Association offers up to 12 William B. Brandt Scholarships annually for $1,500 apiece to full-time undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) at one of the Nebraska state or private colleges. Eligible candidates must submit a completed application, required essay, and a letter of recommendation from a bank officer of an NBA-member financial institution.

Contact

William B. Brandt Scholarships
233 South 13th St. Suite 700
P.O. Box 80008
Lincoln, NE 68501
(402) 474-1555
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Scholarship Link

Since the average tuition costs for attending institutions of higher learning continue to steadily climb, many public and private organizations have established scholarships to provide financial support to high school graduates who are interested in opening professional doors with a post-secondary degree. If you call the "Cornhusker State" home, be sure to check out these 25 great scholarships in Nebraska for extra funding to achieve your academic and career goals.