Educational Supports for Youth in Foster Care - Nebraska

Date: April 2020

Support for Completing High School

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 43-4505

The Bridge to Independence program will provide case-management services to assist the young adult complete secondary education.

Planning for Postsecondary Education

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 43-4505

The Bridge to Independence program will provide case-management services to assist the young adult apply for admission and aid for postsecondary education or vocational courses.

Eligibility Requirements

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 85-1907

An undergraduate student who meets the following criteria is eligible for a Nebraska Opportunity Grant:

  • Is enrolled in an eligible postsecondary educational institution
  • Has applied for Federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the applicable award year and has an expected family contribution that is equal to or less than 110 percent of the maximum expected family contribution to qualify for a Federal Pell Grant in that award year
  • Is a resident student who is domiciled in Nebraska
  • Complies with all other provisions of the Nebraska Opportunity Grant Act and its rules and regulations

Note: The Nebraska Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program is now administered by the Central Plains Center for Services, a private nonprofit social services agency. For more information on program services and benefits, visit the center's website.

Financial Supports for Postsecondary Programs

Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 85-1909; 85-1911; 85-1903; 85-1915

Tuition and mandatory fees means the lesser of the student costs for tuition and mandatory fees for a full-time, resident, undergraduate student for the last completed award year at the eligible postsecondary educational institution or the student costs for tuition and mandatory fees for a full-time, resident, undergraduate student for the last completed award year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Nebraska Opportunity Grant Act shall provide for awards made directly to eligible students based on financial need. An award shall not exceed 50 percent of the tuition and mandatory fees for a full-time, resident, undergraduate student for the last completed award year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

An award may be granted to an eligible student for attendance at an eligible postsecondary educational institution if the following conditions are met:

  • The eligible student is accepted for enrollment as follows:
    • In the case of an eligible student beginning his or her first year in attendance at an eligible postsecondary educational institution, such eligible student has satisfied requirements for admission and has enrolled or indicated an intent to enroll in an eligible postsecondary educational institution.
    • In the case of an eligible student enrolled in an eligible postsecondary educational institution following the successful completion of the student's first year in attendance, such eligible student continues to meet the requirements of the Nebraska Opportunity Grant Act and has maintained the minimum standards of performance, as required by the eligible postsecondary educational institution in which the eligible student is enrolled.
  • The eligible student receiving such award certifies that the award will be used only for educational expenses.
  • The eligible student has complied with the act and its rules and regulations.

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