Nebraska Student Loans And Financial Aid Programs

Nebraska has several private student loan and financial aid programs that can help you pay for college. If you're going to be attending college in Nebraska, you need to be looking to take advantage of these programs.

These programs are designed to help make college more affordable - so that you can get the education you need. These programs can include scholarships, grants, and student loans.

Don't forget that there are Federal student loan programs available as well. You can find out more on how to get a Federal student loan here.

There is also a specific order of operations to pay for college that we recommend students follow. These programs specific to the State of Nebraska can help you to avoid borrowing more money than you need to. 

Nebraska Student Loan Programs

Nebraska doesn't have any unique student loan programs to help it's students pay for college. However, there are still Federal student loans available to students who attend college in Nebraska. 

If you're just looking for private student loan options, we recommend:

• Credible - Like the Kayak of student loans, they help you shop around and compare options. Try Credible here.
• College Ave - One of the best private student loan lenders. Get A Quote At College Ave Here.

Check out our complete guide to finding the best student loans here.

Nebraska Scholarship Programs

Nebraska has several scholarships available to students who want to attend school in the state.

Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship

The Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program pays tuition and mandatory fees for qualified, low-income high school students to enroll in college courses from Nebraska colleges or universities, either through dual-enrollment or early enrollment agreements with these institutions. High school students may apply for funding under this program by completing the ACE Student Application, which is reviewed by the Coordinating Commission for award consideration.

Learn more about the Access College Early Scholarship.

Nebraska Grant Programs

Nebraska also has a grant program to provide need based financial aid to Nebraska residents.

Grants are one of the best forms of financial aid because, in most circumstances, you don't have to pay the money back.

Nebraska Opportunity Grant

The State of Nebraska provides the Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG) - formerly the Nebraska State Grant - to students who meet certain qualifications.  Qualifications include being a Nebraska resident, attending a Nebraska postsecondary institution, and having a minimum EFC as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The average grant awarded is $1,721.

You can learn more about the Nebraska Opportunity Grant.

Community College Gap Assistance Program

The Community College Gap Assistance Program aims to address this looming shortage by offering financial aid to community college students taking non-credit courses that could lead to jobs in high-need fields. These are low-income students who would not be eligible for federal financial aid because, although they’re enrolled in college, they are not enrolled in courses for credit that lead directly to a degree.     

Learn more about the Community College Gap Assistance Program.

Other Options

If you already have student loans and are looking for options as a Nebraska resident, check out our Nebraska Student Loan Forgiveness Program page. That page has all the different options available to Nebraska residents to potentially get some of your student loan debt forgiven.

You might also look at refinancing your student loans and saving money in interest while also potentially lowering your payment. Check out our guide on the Best Places To Refinance Your Student Loans.

If you're looking for ways to save for college in Nebraska, check out the Nebraska 529 Plan and College Savings Guide.

Finally, check out the other student loan and financial aid programs by state.