Undergraduate Students
Grants
Grants do not require repayment. They are awarded to undergraduate students (working on first bachelor's degree) who demonstrate financial need. The grants listed here are coordinated and administered by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Federal Pell Grants
Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial assistance to which other forms of aid may be added. Undergraduate students who establish eligibility for this program will receive a grant based on their estimated family contribution and the cost of attendance at Nebraska.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
FSEOG funds are awarded on a first-come basis to Pell eligible undergraduate students on the basis of financial need who have a completed financial aid file by April 1, 2009. These funds are awarded to students directly by the University and are limited to the funds allocated to the University by the U.S. Department of Education.
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (National SMART)
National SMART grants are awarded to full-time third and fourth year undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, Federal Pell Grant recipients, enrolled in an eligible major and demonstrate financial need (second year students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA).
Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)
ACG funds are awarded to full-time first and second year undergraduate students who are Federal Pell Grant recipients, have completed a rigorous secondary school program and demonstrate financial need (second year students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA).
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH Grant)
The U.S. Department of Education's TEACH Grant Program provides funds to students who are completing or who plan to complete coursework that is required to begin a career in teaching (undergraduates at UNL who are admitted into a Teacher Education Program meet this requirement), and who agree to teach full-time for at least four years as a highly qualified teacher; at a school servicing low-income students; and in a high-need field. Additional information can be found here.
Grants for Priority Applicants
The following grants are awarded on a first-come basis to qualified applicants who have a completed financial aid file.
Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who are Nebraska residents and demonstrate financial need as defined by state statutes.
Grants are awarded to full-time undergraduate students who are Nebraska residents based on financial need and academic criteria as defined by the Board of Regents.
Grants are awarded to full-time undergraduate, graduate, and law students based on financial need and academic criteria as defined by the Board of Regents.
Grants are awarded to full-time undergraduate students who are Nebraska residents with exceptional financial need.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP) provides part-time jobs during the academic year and full- or part-time jobs during the summer for students who have financial need and who must earn a part of their educational expenses. Jobs may be on- or off-campus with a public or private nonprofit agency including jobs in community service areas. Salary for FWSP students will be no less than the current minimum wage and will also be associated with the type of work performed and skills required. The FWSP award is a set earning limit that cannot be exceeded. Students employed full-time on the summer FWSP are expected to save between 50 and 100 percent of their earnings to be used as a resource for the next academic year. The Career Services Office helps students find part-time employment including, but not limited to, FWSP jobs. These funds are awarded on a first-come basis to qualified financial aid applicants.
Loans
(Click here for more information)Student loan programs offer long-term, low-interest educational loans which require repayment. Students should carefully consider the amount of debt they incur and recognize their future financial obligations. Like any other debt, a student loan is a serious financial obligation.
Federal Perkins Loans
The Federal Perkins Loan program gives priority to students with exceptional need. The current interest rate is five percent. These funds are awarded on a first-come basis to qualified applicants who have a completed financial aid file.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
The Federal Direct Stafford Loan program enables students to borrow money directly from the federal government. Subsidized Stafford loans for undergraduates only will have a fixed interest rate of 5.6% for loans with a first disbursement date on or after July 1, 2009. Unsubsidized Stafford loans for undergraduates will have a fixed interest rate of 6.8% for loans with a first disbursement date on or after July 1, 2006. For more information on Federal Direct Stafford Loan interest rates, click here. Annual and aggregate loan limits vary depending on a student's grade level and dependency status. For more information on Federal Direct Stafford Loan annual and aggregate loan limits, click here.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program assists eligible parents in meeting educational expenses. The Federal Direct PLUS Loan allows parents to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other resources. The interest rate for any loan for which the first disbursement is made after July 1, 2006, is a fixed rate of 7.9%. For more information on Federal Direct Stafford Loan interest rates, click here. A loan fee of 4% of the principal is deducted from the disbursed amount. PLUS borrowers will receive a repayment incentive of an up-front interest rebate equal to 1.5% of the principal amount of each loan. A borrower retains the 1.5% benefit by making the first twelve monthly payments on time. For PLUS loans made to parents that are first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, the borrower has the option of beginning repayment on the PLUS loan either 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or wait until six months after the dependent student on whose behalf the parent borrowed ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.
