Education Opportunities and Resources

Browse below to find education resources, opportunities and events, and general education news.

K-12 Opportunities

Khan Academy
Free practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Click here to sign up.

CollegeNOW!
CollegeNow! is a program specifically designed for high school students to jump-start their college education. Students enroll into sections taught by Metropolitan Community College faculty on campus or online. Begin the pursuit of an associate degree and/or transfer MCC college credit to other colleges and universities with CollegeNow! Click here for more information.

Nebraska Summer Learning Programs
From the state of Nebraska Department of Education: https://www.education.ne.gov/tl/summer-learning-programs/

Higher Education Opportunities

Native American Tuition Waiver: United Tribes Technical College
Click here for more information.

  • Enrolled in a federally recognized tribe
  • Full-time, degree-seeking student
  • GPA of 2.0 or greater on most recent college transcript

Metropolitan Community College Gap Workforce Events
Students interested in the Insurance Producer or Fiber Optics Technician programs are encouraged to sign up for a Gap Workforce Training Information Session. Sessions are ongoing through the end of the year. Learn about funding opportunities, the application process, and more. Click here to sign up.

Train Scholars Project
University of Oklahoma
Texas A&M University
The TRAIN Scholars Project, a collaborative partnership between the University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M University aims to develop competencies necessary to engage in rigorous applied research to advance the field of special education transition. TRAIN Scholars will leave their doctoral programming ready to:
1) fill higher education positions with highly qualified Ph.D.s with expertise in special education, transition, and inclusive education,
2) prepare educators (i.e., pre- and in-service teachers) to instruct and provide services to
3) children with high-needs disabilities, and improve post-school outcomes of individuals with high-need disabilities.

NET Nebraska Education
Virtual Learning Library, Internships and training, and other educational resources. Visit site >

Education and Training Services from NEworks
Visit website

Financial Resources

Resources for Student Loan Debt Repayment 
If you are impacted and have student loans to repay, there are resources that may help you manage your repayment. Read more >

2023-24 Federal Pell Grant
The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023–24 award year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024). The amount an individual student may receive depends on a number of factors.
Learn more at: https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/

College Planning: Comparison of the SAT and ACT

Financial Aid Glossary
Gain a better understanding of financial aid terms. Read more >

FAFSA Tools
EducationQuest has a variety of free virtual resources available to help your seniors and their parents prepare for and complete the form. 

Types of Student Loans
From debt.org Read more >

Community College Gap Assistance Program
https://ccpe.nebraska.gov/gapPE

Directory of Postsecondary Institutions in Nebraska
https://ccpe.nebraska.gov/directory-postsecondary-institutions-nebraska

University of Nebraska In-State Tuition for Tribal Members
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members are eligible for in-state tuition if attending one of the University of Nebraska campuses.

Nebraska Promise
Eligible students can begin taking the first steps to being considered for the Nebraska Promise. You must be admitted and file the FAFSA before June 1 to qualify.

1.     Apply to Nebraska

2.     File the FAFSA

3.     You’re All Done!

Eligible students are identified automatically after they are admitted to the university and submit the annual FAFSA to Nebraska. Remember, the deadline is June 1.

What the Nebraska Promise Covers

If you are eligible, the Nebraska Promise will cover all your tuition costs, up to 30 credit hours per academic year (up to 15 credits per semester), after Pell funds and any other grants and/or scholarships are taken into account.

The Nebraska Promise program is a commitment to cover tuition expenses. The program does not guarantee that additional costs including fees, books, housing and meals or transportation will be covered. However, the Nebraska Promise is just one of many financial aid options available. Those who receive the Nebraska Promise may also receive aid beyond the cost of tuition through additional grants and scholarships.

California College Promise Grant
The California College Promise Grant is a form of CA State aid that waives the enrollment fee ($46/unit) for eligible CA resident students. The primary form of application for this aid is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students who complete the FASFA will have the best chance of qualifying for the California College Promise Grant.

How does the California College Promise Grant work?
You do not receive an electronic funds transfer or a debit card; instead your enrollment fees are waived after registration activity. You are responsible for paying any and all fees remaining which include the Health Fee, College Service Charge, material fees, and parking permit.
Your California College Promise Grant will be posted on the college’s registration fee screen and will be valid for Coastline Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College. If you paid your enrollment fees before the California College Promise Grant was applied to your account, the Enrollment Center / Registration Office will complete a refund of those fees.

Links for application:
Coastline College (CODE: 01356)
Golden West College (CODE: 001206)
Orange Coast College (CODE:001250)

Higher Education News

Nebraska Indian Community College
Earn your Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Tribal Nation Building
Tuition: $1 per credit hour
For more information: 844-440-6422 or www.theNICC.edu

A trade school can be a better fit than college and lead to a more lucrative career for some students – Chicago Sun Times, 7/27/23
While some view college as the best route to financial stability, studies show career and technical degrees cost less and can produce a higher income.

Today’s Students Want Career-Oriented Support – NSPA, 5/24/23
In a time of declining college enrollments, students (and their parents) want to be sure a degree will be ‘worth it’–that it will pay off with a meaningful career that can in turn repay any student loans necessary to obtain it.

FAFSA Graduation Requirement Becomes Nebraska Law
Governor Jim Pillen has signed LB705 into law, an omnibus bill that includes a provision to require all public high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to graduate. Here are the key pieces of information you need to know now. 

  • The requirement goes into effect for the class of 2025.
  • The legislation includes the ability for a parent/legal guardian or a school principal (or their designee) to opt a student out of the requirement.
  • Students 19 or older or emancipated minors can opt out of the requirement.

Other states have adopted similar legislation to help ensure graduating seniors know what financial aid may be available to them to attend college. This year, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Indiana adopted plans requiring students to complete the FAFSA. They join Louisiana, Illinois, Alabama, Texas, California, and New Hampshire.

Student Aid Index – Changes to FAFSA
As of July 1, 2023, the government will no longer use Expected Family Contribution to determine how much families can afford to pay for college. Instead, they will use the Student Aid Index (SAI). One of the main benefits of the SAI is that parents can exclude 20% more of their income than with the EFC. In short, this means more families will qualify for need-based aid.

Another main difference between the EFC and SAI is that students can have a negative SAI number, which will also open up more aid opportunities.

University of Nebraska Announces Free Tuition for Qualifying Students
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 $60,000 or less (Adjusted Gross Income/AGI) or are Pell Grant-eligible. Learn more here.

Nebraska Indian Community College
NICC is waiving tuition for high school students enrolling in dual-credit courses.

Peru State College
The Nebraska State Colleges Tuition Guarantee ensures that Pell-qualified Nebraska students can attend Peru State College tuition-free. Qualified first-time freshman and transfer students pursuing an undergraduate degree will receive a combination of federal grants, state or private grants, college remissions, or College Foundation scholarships to fill any tuition gap left after the Pell Grant. 

Western Iowa Tech: Free Tuition and Training for High-Demand Jobs
Free tuition is made possible by the Last-Dollar Scholarship, a part of an initiative to help the state of Iowa fill high-demand jobs. Because finances can be a barrier to attending college, the Last-Dollar Scholarship covers the cost of tuition toward a diploma or Associate of Applied Science degree aligned with a high-need field. People like you are needed to keep Iowa competitive and ready for the future. Now a scholarship is available to help Iowa residents get the training needed for a good-paying, 21st century jobs.

Wayne State College Tuition Guarantee Program
The new Nebraska State Colleges Tuition Guarantee ensures Pell-qualified Nebraska students can attend Wayne State College tuition-free. The program takes effect in Fall 2021 and applies to returning and new undergraduate students.