Scholarships

Updates began in December 2025 on this page for seniors.

• If the left hand column lists 2025 then the application and deadlines are updated for May 2025 Graduates.  

• Scholarships listed 2023 or 2024 may be last years, but left for reference.  

• Scholarship applications that are attached below can be opened by clicking on the down arrow to the right of the listing.  The application is updated when the scholarship listed in the table is updated.

• Make sure to type your scholarship applications. 

To Research Scholarships, please do the following:

• • First:  Look at the college(s) where you are applying to for scholarships (General Freshman and Departmental)   

    • Look at the college website's financial aid page, departmental pages, contact the admissions rep.  Exhaust ALL contacts and resources at the college(s) for which you are applying!  Ask about scholarships during college visits.  EMAIL your admissions rep; they are excellent resources!  

    • Consider an Honor's Program - Sometimes these programs come along with money for books, room waivers, and additional academic scholarships!

 You have to research this one!

• • Second:  EVERY Senior should have a ScholarshipQuest account that they check weekly; this is the largest Nebraska based scholarships database.  Scholarship Quest at www.educationquest.org  

  • Third:  Look at the Scholarships listed below for local and other scholarships received in the guidance office.  

    • This is NOT an exhaustive list of scholarships....only the ones that come across my desk via mail/email.

    • If there is a website with an application link, you will need to go to the listed website for the application.

    • Please refer to the listed scholarship websites (as listed in the chart below) for additional information regarding eligibility and when due.

    • Also check out the Kearney Area Community Foundation Website at https://www.kearneyfoundation.org/scholarships 

    • Also check out the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Website at  https://www.kearneycoc.org/scholarships  

    • BEST SUGGESTION:  look through the entire list (using the requirements column to see if you are eligible) and make a list of the scholarships you are eligible for.  If not updated in the chart, PLEASE look at the website if listed (they update all the time before I can get them updated here).  Put the scholarships you are eligible for according to when due and apply.  You might have to do some additional leg work (again please refer to the listed websites or send an email to the person listed to inquire about when scholarship is due).   

  • Fourth:  Go to the KCHS Foundation website for the KCHS Foundation Scholarships due April 1.  www.kchsfoundation.org  

    • KCHS Foundation Scholarships are updated and available now to some extent! They are listed on the KCHS Foundation webpage of www.kchsfoundation.org under the Scholarships tab.  The first 12 scholarships listed are for graduating seniors. Completed applications are to be delivered the KCHS Foundation office by 5pm on April 1.

  • Fifth:  Every senior should use one of the following sites for further scholarship searches.

    • Lists of thousands of scholarships at https://www.scholarships.com/

    • Scholarship Experts at www.scholarshipexperts.com

    • School Soup at www.schoolsoup.com

    • College Board at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

    • FastAid at www.fastaid.com

    • The Christian College Connector at www.ChristianConnector.com

Specific Scholarships 

• The Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship application has a deadline of February 1 at 5:00pm!  This very generous scholarship is based on financial need (Expected Family Contribution of $9,999 or less-as listed on Student Aid Index (SAI) which is emailed to students after completing the FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Dates, and the process for the application is different this year than in the past due to changes in dates, and requirements which came down from the Department of Education. Students must attend a 2 or 4 year Nebraska Public College:  UNL, UNK, UNO, Wayne State, Peru State, Chadron State, CCC, SCC, NCC, MCC.    This is a wonderful opportunity for students!  See your counselor to upload your transcript!  Learn more and complete the application at www.buffettscholarships.org.  

• Several National American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships are available at www.alaforveterans.org, and www.legion.org.  Not sure of deadlines on these as there are a variety with varying deadlines.

 Common Scholarship Application Errors to Avoid

There are a variety of mistakes that students make consistently when applying for scholarships. Here are the most common:

• Application Deadlines: The worst mistake you can possibly make is forgetting a deadline. If you miss the deadline then there is almost no way your scholarship application will be processed. Your first question when researching a new scholarship should be when is the scholarship deadline? Did I absolutely send in the application before the deadline? You should get in the application well in advance and then confirm receipt of application with the scholarship provider administrator. Hand deliver, use a courier, FedEx or send via registered mail. Make sure it get there and gets there in time!

• Application Errors: Most, if not all of these errors are due to carelessness (these can be avoided). With so many candidates, any single mistake can ruin your chances of success. Not to worry because with a little bit of caution (proofreading), you can avoid these mistakes and be that much closer to being the top scholarship candidate. Don’t be afraid to ask your parents, a friend, your school counselor, or a teacher to read your application before submission.

• Follow instructions: Some scholarships may require you to go through a couple tedious tasks before you are even considered. This may seem useless and off topic but it is important to realize that these requirements are put in place to help find them find best candidates. If they ask for transcripts to be provided in a certain format, make sure you do. If they require two references don’t submit just one or don’t submit three because you want to submit and extra one. Don’t let the review committee find a reason to exclude you, you are already ahead of the game if you follow their instruction to a “T”.

• Not applying for enough scholarships: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. Many times students will apply for only three, two or even one scholarship. With the number of scholarships available today there is no reason you shouldn’t be applying to more.  Like 30!