What is the Nebraska Promise?
The Nebraska Promise program covers undergraduate tuition at the University of Nebraska's four campuses (UNK, UNL, UNMC and UNO) and its two-year technical college (NCTA).
Tuition is covered for students who meet academic qualifications and have a family income of $65,000 or less (Adjusted Gross Income/AGI) or are Pell Grant-eligible.
We want to make sure that any Nebraskan who wants to get a college education can. And we don't want cost to get in the way of getting your degree. With COVID-19 throwing many lives into disarray, some high school students may feel that college is not within their reach right now. We're here to say: it is.
More InformationHow Do You Arrive at Free Tuition?
We take any Pell Grants, scholarships and financial aid received off the total cost of tuition, and then Nebraska Promise covers whatever costs remain—up to 30 hours of tuition.
Do I Qualify?
You must meet these four qualifications to receive tuition assistance through the Nebraska Promise program.
Family Income: $65,000 or Less
You will qualify for the Nebraska Promise if you qualify for a Pell Grant or if your family’s annual income is $65,000 (AGI) or below. (See FAQ for definition of family income.)
Nebraska Resident
You must be a Nebraska resident to qualify for the Nebraska Promise.
Full-Time Undergraduate Student
You must apply and be accepted at a University of Nebraska campus and take at least 12 credit hours each semester to qualify.
Maintain 2.5 GPA
You must maintain a 2.5 GPA to maintain Nebraska Promise benefits.
Want the Nebraska Promise?
Here are your next steps. There are deadlines for both campus applications and the FAFSA application, so don't delay. We encourage you to complete the steps below by June 1.
Step 1: Apply for Admission at the University of Nebraska
When you apply for admission at one of our three undergraduate campuses (UNK, UNL or UNO), you can also apply to the other two—or to our two-year technical college (NCTA)—with the check of a button. You'll self-report your coursework and test scores, leading to a more timely admission decision. And, instead of paying multiple application fees, you'll pay a one-time fee of $45.
The admission process, application fees and deadlines for UNMC vary by program. Please visit the website of the program you are interested in for more information.
All application deadlines can be found on the campus admissions pages below.
Apply to UNK Apply to UNL Apply to UNMC Apply to UNO Apply to NCTAStep 2: Complete the FAFSA
Students with family incomes of $65,000 or less (AGI), who qualify for a Pell Grant will automatically be eligible for the Nebraska Promise. However, we need you to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application to verify your income and Pell Grant eligibility. Applicants must at least meet basic Title IV eligibility criteria to be considered.
The FAFSA is the application for most types of need-based financial aid. It will ask for information about your family's financial situation. You may need assistance from your parents to complete it.
The FAFSA filing deadline has been extended this year. To qualify for Nebraska Promise tuition assistance for the 2022-23 academic year, you must file your FAFSA by June 1.
After you file the FAFSA, be sure to check in with your campus admissions office. Also, please note that you may be selected for additional verification by the federal government—check your email for updates and be mindful of due dates.
Complete the FAFSAHave more questions about the Nebraska Promise?
Commit to Complete
At the University of Nebraska, we're committed to your success—from your first day on campus to the day you walk across the stage at graduation. This means we want you to graduate sooner instead of later, and we have all sorts of resources and support systems to help you do so. Why? When our Nebraska Promise students make a commitment to graduate on time, they get their degrees faster, save money on room and board, and get their lives started sooner.
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