Scholarships

Scholarships will be posted here as we receive them. Please be vigilant in checking this site for all the updates and new scholarships/information. Scholarships that are red are ones that I just added recently or that we are working on currently.


Websites to use as search tools for scholarships

ScholarshipQuest

Scholarships360:  Twitter (@scholarships360)
 Cappex Scholarship Search
College Board Scholarship Search
Fastweb
Scholarships4Students
Scholarships.com
SuperCollege.com
 Collegedata.com



Local Foundation Scholarships

Custer County Foundation Scholarships-Due February 1st, 2024

The seniors are working on these.  A personal narrative and resume are required.

Anselmo-Merna Foundation Scholarships-Due March 1st, 2024

Regional/National/State Scholarships

United States Senate Youth Program - Deadline September 23
$10,000 - students will need to take a test
22-23 United States Senate Youth Program Application PDF

Quest Bridge - Deadline September 26, 2023

 Wendy's Heisman - Application opens August 14, 2023.  Deadline October 20, 2023 by 5 PM
$1,000-$10,000
"B" average; participate in at least one school-sponsored sport
Scholarship Application

 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest - Deadline October 31 at MIDNIGHT
"My Vision for America"  audio-essay contest

 Ron Brown Scholar - Deadline November 1
Must be Black/African American, excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need
Ron Brown Scholarship PDF

 Dr. Pepper Tuition Contest Scholarship - Deadline November 3

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship - Deadline November 13, opens August 1
The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the competition. Choose Cozad #2250 as your sponsoring Lodge.

 Wayne State College Art & Design - Deadline November 15
Candidates must be seeking an Art & Design degree at Wayne State with a concentration in Studio Art, Graphic Design, or K-12 Art Education.
Must be admitted to the college first**

Wayne State General Scholarship - Deadline December 1
Amounts vary


 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation - Deadline November 17
Up to $40,000 per year
High achieving seniors with financial need, Test Scores, High Grades, Community Service

 National Honor Society Scholarships - Deadline November 30 at 4:00 PM
For members in NHS

Peru State General Scholarship - Deadline December 1
Amounts vary

Peru State Career Scholarship - Deadline December 1
$2,000 - $10,000 per year, renewable up to 4 years
The Career Scholarship program offers Chadron, Peru and Wayne State students to attain their degrees at an affordable cost while also providing career experience through internships and other experiential learning opportunities.  Scholarships can cover tuition, fees, room and board expenses.  The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years for students who remain eligible.

*Business Administration
*Computer Information Systems
*Criminal Justice
*Education
*ACT 18+
*2.7 GPA
*Personal Statement

Chadron State, Peru State or Wayne State  Public Health Early Admission (PHEAST) - Deadline December 1
Full tuition scholarship
A collaborative educational initiative between the UNMC College of Public Health (CoPH) and the Nebraska State Colleges.  It was established to recruit, educate, and graduate public health leaders from Nebraska.

*Must be from rural Nebraska
*Students with a rural home address or attend a rural high school
*Select number of seats per program (3 seats per college)

 Hagan Scholarship - Deadline December 1
FAFSA EFC must not exceed $6,500.
 Must have achieved a 3.5 GPA using a 4.0 Scale.
Must enroll at an eligible four-year college or university the first semester following high school graduation.

 KHOP Kearney Scholarship - Deadline December 1
Enter a medical program at UNK

 RHOP Chadron Scholarship - Deadline December 1
attending Chadron State College - Have to be going into a health profession

 RHOP Wayne Scholarship - Deadline December 1
Medical Program at Wayne

 RLOP Wayne Scholarship - Deadline December 1
Entering to the Law program at Wayne

 Marie Curie Scholarship (attending College of St. Mary) - Deadline December 15
$20,000 for 4 years for any Biology, Chemistry and Math majors. Minimum requirements are a 3.5 GPA and a 23 ACT score.

Engler Scholarship Program (attending University of Nebraska-Lincoln) Learn more about the Engler Program here.

Future of Nebraska Scholarship

Apply for this scholarship by the priority deadline of November 1, 2023.
The final deadline is December 1, 2023.
Recipients will be announced on February 1, 2024.

UNK EARLIER SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES

Horatio Alger Scholarship - For High School JUNIORS to apply to: application opens December 1, 2023.

 Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship - Deadline December 31
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is open to all students, of all ages, and can be used towards college or university at the undergraduate or graduate level.

 Nebraska Elks Association Vocational Scholarship - Deadline January 1
Two $500 scholarships (one male and one female) are available to seniors who will be attending a community college, trade school or technical school.
(Other scholarships listed with various due dates - sent same link earlier in year - look at what you can apply to)

University System (UNL, UNK, ROTC Scholarship):  

Application window runs June 15 through February 4

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) Scholarships

 Nebraska Junior Chamber/United States JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship - Deadline January 13
Maximum Award: $1,000
Each year the Nebraska Junior Chamber Scholarship Fund will award at least one $500 scholarship to a child of, member of, or former member of the Nebraska Junior Chamber who plans on continuing their education at an approved post-secondary school. The recipient of this scholarship will have the opportunity to have their application forwarded to the United States JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship Program. The awards must be used for educational expenses in the first year of full-time study.
Sheri Menendez via email at Scholarship Email

 Nebraska Poultry Scholarship - Deadline January 13
Nebraska Resident attending a Nebraska school interested in a job in poultry 

 J.H. & J.W. Claybaugh Memorial Scholarship - Deadline January 13
2- $2,500 Scholarships
Nebraska residents, those attending school in Nebraska, or those interested in a career in poultry based in Nebraska are encouraged to apply for the J.H. & J.W. Claybaugh Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must be incoming college freshman or post-grad students.

America's AG Farmers - Deadline January 14
There are multiple different scholarships to apply for here.

Chadron State General Scholarship - Deadline January 15
Amounts vary

Board of Trustees Scholarship - Deadline January 15
Full tuition scholarship, renewable for 4 years
A waiver of resident tuition up to 18 credit hours per semester to a maximum of 128 hours toward an undergraduate degree.

Chadron State Peru State Wayne State
NE resident NE resident NE resident
3.0 GPA 3.6 GPA
 ACT optional ACT optional ACT optional
Application completed Personal Statement Application completed
 for admission for admission

 Peru State Cooperating Schools Scholarship - Deadline January 15
Half tuition
Each college is authorized to award waivers to students entering college for the first time from schools providing student teaching facilities, such waivers are to be for one-half of the tuition costs per term for up to 18 credit hours per term, not to exceed 128 credit hours toward undergraduate degrees.

*From an eligible high school
*2.5 GPA or higher
*ACT 14 or higher

Chadron State Career Scholarship - Deadline January 15
$2,000 - $10,000 per year, renewable up to 4 years
The Career Scholarship program offers Chadron, Peru and Wayne State students to attain their degrees at an affordable cost while also providing career experience through internships and other experiential learning opportunities.  Scholarships can cover tuition, fees, room and board expenses.  The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years for students who remain eligible.

*Business Administration
*Communication Arts
*Criminal Justice
*Education
*Rangeland Management
*ACT 18+

UNO Health Careers Resource Center (HCRC)  Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP) Scholarship -open NOW until January 17, 2024

The purpose of UHOP is to enhance the healthcare workforce serving medically underserved populations in urban Nebraska by identifying and preparing qualified students to enter and succeed in health professions training.

The UHOP scholarship includes:

To apply for this scholarship, you must be accepted into UNO and have completed UNO's general scholarship application. To apply click here! 

Questions? Attend one of our informational sessions which will discuss the scholarship's mission and benefits, how to be competitive applicant, and meet a current UHOP Scholar. Sign up here today!

For more information on the benefits and requirements of the UHOP scholarship, please visit our website here, or reach out to a member of our team by phone (402.554.5980) or email (unohealthcareers@unomaha.edu).

 APIA Scholarship - Deadline January 19 at 5PM
2.7-4.0 GPA
US Citizen
Attending college fall 2023
**But recommender needs to respond by Jan 12 at 5PM

 AANAPISI Scholarship - Deadline January 19 at 5PM
 **But recommender needs to respond by Jan 12 at 5PM

 Tuskegee Airmen National & Local Scholarships - Deadline January 26
$20,000
Local seniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 interested in aviation, aerospace, engineering or technology.

The Coyner and Donna Smith Diversity Scholarship - Deadline January 28 

The Mission of the Smith Diversity Scholarship is to provide a post-secondary education to Nebraska’s graduating seniors from underrecognized backgrounds, facing financial barriers, who display academic aptitude, leadership, determination toward goals, and a spirit for making an impact.

In 2024, we will award four renewable scholarships of $25,000 per year to four-year institutions; and two renewable scholarships of $12,500 per year to two-year trade school institutions. Students can attend any accredited institution.

Due to the flexibility of these funds - which are intended to help students beyond the traditional tuition, books and housing - this is one of the most unique scholarships available in the country.

Please note: 

If you have any questions, please contact Liz Eggers, Lutheran Family Services Scholarship Specialist.

Elizabeth Eggers
Scholarship & Annual Giving Specialist
P: 402-978-5623
E: Elizabeth.Eggers@onelfs.org

 UNL Acacai Fraternity - Deadline January 31
Three (1 $1000 and 2 $500) one year scholarships to incoming male freshmen and UNL

 Discover Student Loan Sweepstakes - Deadline January 31
Win a $10,000 scholarship

 DAR Scholarships - Deadline January 31
There are a lot of Scholarships so look through these

Great Plains Communications -Deadline February 1

Great Plains Communications College Scholarship:  Are you a graduating senior and a customer of GPC? If so, you are eligible to apply for the Great Plains Communications Scholarship! We grant up to 21 scholarships to seniors in Nebraska and Indiana, with amounts ranging from $1000 to $5000. Scholarships are awarded on a one-time basis.  

Access Scholarship application HERE.

FRS College Scholarship Program - Deadline February 16

The Foundation for Rural Service is an affiliate of the National Telephone Cooperative Association (NTCA). The NTCA is an organization of independent telephone companies across the United States.

You’re encouraged to apply if you:

To apply:

Chadron State or Wayne State Cooperating Schools Scholarship - Deadline February 1
Half tuition
Each college is authorized to award waivers to students entering college for the first time from schools providing student teaching facilities, such waivers are to be for one-half of the tuition costs per term for up to 18 credit hours per term, not to exceed 128 credit hours toward undergraduate degrees.

*From an eligible high school
*2.5 GPA or higher
*ACT 14 or higher

 Davis-Chambers Scholarship for UNL - February 1
Minimum $2,000 up to full direct cost of attendance per year
Diversity Enhancement - Recognizes academically diverse and talented students. Based on financial need.

 Nebraska Society Professional Engineers NeSPE, NSPE - February 1
(State, Eastern, and National Chapters offering scholarships)
2 -  $1500 State
2 - $1000  Eastern
1 - $5000 National

 Susan T. Buffett Scholarship - February 1 by 5pm
Amount: Varies by college Renewable scholarship for 4 years to public Nebraska colleges and universities.  Must have GPA of at least 2.5 and financial need with EFC below $10,000. ***FAFSA Submitted by March 15, 2024.

 UNO Scholarships - February 1
Explore the various scholarship requirements and opportunities available through UNO

 ESA Foundation Endowments Scholarship - February 1
Epsilon Sigma Alpha Foundation
Various Scholarships available to Nebraska students. Go to above website to access all information and the application

 Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy - February 1
This scholarship program is for incoming freshman students with financial need who want to pursue careers in engineering, computing, or construction at UNO or UNL, and are committed to the advancement of women in engineering in the state of Nebraska
Apply through UNL website Scholarships.
visit the Academy website at pkfacademy.unl.edu
Questions should be directed to:
Bonnie Martin, Director of Engineering Scholar Programs
University of Nebraska
(402) 472-7073
bonniemartin@unl.edu

 Great Plains Communications Customer Scholarship - February 1
Seniors who are customers (or family) of Great Plains Communications

 NRCSA Scholarship - February 3
 3.0 or higher GPA, ACT 20 or higher, planning to enter career in education $1,500

 Gary Fisher Fine Arts Scholarships - February 3
Pursue career in fine arts $1,000

 AMS/Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship and American Meteorological Society - February 3
Maximum Award: $5,000
The AMS Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship program is open to all high school students and designed to encourage study in the atmospheric and related sciences

 J. B. Ferguson Golf - February 15
Must have participated in h.s. golf and plan to participate at college level

 Bill Lewis Scholarship Fund and Nebraska High School Officials Association - February 21
The Bill Lewis Scholarship program is open to dependents of individuals who are currently registered officials with the NSAA or have been a registered official within the prior twenty (20) years. Further, the dependent must meet the following criteria:
At the time of application, are in the final year of secondary education
Be a Nebraska resident

Attached is an application form to be filled out. It can either be sent back US Mail to:
Nebraska Officials Foundation
PO Box 243
Spencer, NE 68777
As an alternative, the forms can be scanned and e-mailed to:
Stadium_sports@hotmail.com
**Attached PDF for Scholarship

 AKRS Jump Start Scholarship - February 24
Pursue an Associate Degree in Ag Technology - prepare for job as John Deere Ag Technician
Covers 100% tuition, tool bonus, jump start bonus, internship, guaranteed employment

 AMS Minority Scholarship - February 24
Maximum Award: $6,000 The AMS Minority Scholarships will award funding to minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, especially Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American students. Funding for the scholarships is provided by industry and through donations made by members to the AMS 21st Century Campaign.

 The Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors - February 28 at 12pm Noon
The Sallie Mae Fund will award (25) $10,000 scholarships to high school seniors who plan to enroll in a two- or four-year degree professional certificate, or vocational training program.

 Smith Diversity Scholarship Program - February 28
Eligibility:
Be a resident of Nebraska at the time of graduation
Show financial need  *Financial need is defined as a low-income family whose adjusted gross family income is $65,000 or lower annually
Preference will be given to applicants from disadvantaged ethnic backgrounds that do not identify as Caucasian

 NAIFA Scholarship Awards of Excellence - February 28
$250-$1000

All UNK Scholarships - March 1

 UNK Industrial Distribution Scholarship - February 28
3 - $1000
1 - $6500
The finalists will be interviewed

Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarships

Available to Custer County, NE students who are going into a medical field involving at least a 2-year degree in a certified college, technical school or University.

Description: One $500.00 Nursing Scholarship and 3 other medical field scholarships involving at least a 2-year degree in a certified college, technical school or University.

Due Date: March 1st

Download Application Here

Elks Scholarships-Due March 15

Harris Scholarship Cover Letter-Due March 15

Harris Scholarship Form-Due March15


NEBRASKA ELKS ASSOCIATIONJ. B. FERGUSON GOLF SCHOLARSHIP-Due March 15th


Consolidated Scholarship-Due March 16th-waiting for updated form-This is still 2023.



UNK Department of Art Scholarships - Deadline March 1
portfolio required

NEBRASKA American Legion Scholarships - Deadline March 1

***Complete the PDF forms linked below.  You may or may not qualify for one or more of them.  After completing the form (s), you must submit it to our local American Legion Auxiliary representative 

CCC Scholarships - Applications open November 1st, Deadline March 1

*First-time freshman or an incoming transfer student
*Admitted to Chadron State, Peru State, or Wayne State
*Pell Grant eligible as determined by the FAFSA
*Enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, including one or more on-campus classes.

Multi-Activity Student Scholarship (Chadron State, Peru State, Wayne State) - Deadline May 1
Twelve $1,000 Scholarships (4 from each college)
Each State College will select one scholarship recipient from each grade level from the eligible Multi-Activity Award recipients who submit a scholarship application.  The $1,000 scholarships are awarded to attend Chadron, Peru or Wayne State College.

*Participate in at least three Nebraska School Activities Association sanctioned activities during the academic year
*Be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior or senior

First Responder Education Waiver - Deadline completed before classes begin
100% tuition waiver
Available to eligible law enforcement officers, professional firefighters, and their dependents pursuant to the terms of the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act.

*Complete the FAFSA
*Complete First Responder Tuition Waiver Application and Verification Form (found on College’s website)
*Complete documentation from the Department of Revenue indicating all requirements of proof of employment and residence in Nebraska have been satisfied
*Reside within Nebraska for a period of five (5) years following the use of the tuition waiver

Horatio Alger Career and Technical Scholarship - Open March 15, Due June 15