Nebraska Scholarships

Prestigious $10,000 scholarship for an outstanding Nebraska college junior, senior, or graduate student enrolled at a Nebraska institution pursuing a beef industry-related degree. Selection weighs academic record, demonstrated need, and Nebraska beef industry involvement including past achievements and future plans. Finalists interview with the selection committee. Apply through the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation by March 1; additional $1,000 minimum scholarships are available through the same application for high school seniors and undergraduates.

Nebraska in-state freshmen of academic distinction or National Merit Scholarship and National Recognition finalists may be considered for the Chancellor's Tuition Scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Traditional criteria include a 28+ ACT and 3.5 GPA. Recipients receive up to $8,000 per year toward UNL undergraduate tuition ($4,000 per semester) for four years. Priority deadline is November 1; the in-state deadline is February 1. Recipients must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA and complete 24 UNL credit hours per academic year with full-time enrollment.

Nebraska Career Scholarships support Nebraska residents admitted to high-demand fields such as engineering, mathematics, healthcare, and information technology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Recipients receive at least eight thousand dollars per year for up to four years and work with career coaches to secure a Nebraska-based internship before their fourth year. Selection is highly competitive and uses holistic review of GPA, class rank, and test scores, with twenty-eight ACT or higher considered competitive. Apply by November first; final deadline February first. Scholars must maintain a three point zero GPA, complete twenty-four credit hours annually, and finish a Nebraska internship to remain eligible.

The Nebraska Achievement Tuition Scholarship recognizes high-achieving Nebraska residents with demonstrated leadership experience who submit the supplemental Scholarship Application in MyRED. Awards reach up to eight thousand dollars per year toward undergraduate tuition for up to four years. Holistic review weighs leadership knowledge, affordability, and academic profile. Submit the supplemental application by February first after applying for admission by the November first priority date. Recipients must maintain a three point zero cumulative GPA and complete twenty-four credit hours each fall and spring academic year to renew the award at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Transfer Chancellor Tuition Commitment awards up to eight thousand dollars per year toward UNL undergraduate tuition for Nebraska residents transferring from community colleges or four-year institutions, including the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Applicants need at least fifteen non-NU transfer credits, a three point seven five cumulative transfer GPA, and a three point seven five last-semester GPA on official transcripts by the March first fall or October first spring deadline. The award renews one or two years depending on credits transferred. Recipients maintain a three point five cumulative GPA and twenty-four credit hours per academic year. Not available for transfers from UNO or UNK.

Students in grades 6 through 12 who reside in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin may enter ADL Midwest's annual First Amendment Freedoms Art and Essay Contest. Submit a two-page essay or artwork on a First Amendment theme. Up to eight prizes are awarded, with first-place winners receiving up to $5,000 and second-place winners $1,000 by grade category. Judges score creativity, originality, and understanding of the First Amendment.

Nebraska artists age 19 or older with at least two years of state residency may apply for merit fellowships up to $5,000. Rotating categories cover literature, performing arts/film, and visual arts. Funds support professional development including creating new work, presentations, training, or research over a one-year fellowship period. Undergraduate enrollment in the applying discipline is not allowed; graduate enrollment is permitted with portfolio assessed outside coursework. Applications are due November 17 annually through Artwork Archive calls. FY26 category is Performing Arts. The Nebraska Arts Council selects fellows through out-of-state professional panel review based on artistic merit.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association Foundation offers college scholarships to students enrolled in radio or television broadcasting or broadcast journalism programs at accredited colleges, universities, technical colleges or trade schools in Nebraska. Individual scholarships start at a minimum of $2,500, with a total annual award pool of up to $25,000; the number and size of awards are set each year by the foundation board. Applicants must have a high school diploma, be pursuing a course of study in broadcasting or broadcast journalism at a Nebraska public or private institution, and have completed at least half of their degree or graduation requirements at the time of application. Applications are submitted online. The application opens in September each year, with materials due by October 31.

The Lahaye Nursing Scholarship provides five thousand dollars per year for two years, totaling ten thousand dollars, to UNK pre-nursing students from central and western Nebraska counties. Funded by the Glenn and Pearle Lahaye estate and the Health Sciences Excellence Fund, the award supports students who enroll in UNK's pre-nursing program with intent to continue at the UNMC College of Nursing. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 high school GPA, a 20 or higher ACT composite, and must complete a brief essay on their motivation for a nursing career. Students must be from one of the listed Nebraska counties in the Adams through Wheeler county set. Apply through the Admitted Incoming Freshman Scholarship Application in MyBLUE by March 1.

David Distinguished Scholars are outstanding Nebraska residents who receive four thousand dollars per year toward University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate tuition for up to four years, excluding summers. Selection uses holistic review of competitive GPA, class rank, and test scores to identify students with strong academic distinction. First-year applicants should apply for admission by November first with a February first final deadline for in-state students. The scholarship is not transferable to other University of Nebraska campuses. Renewal requires maintaining a three point five cumulative GPA and completing twenty-four credit hours each academic year at UNL.