Nebraska's Access College Early Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
The Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program is designed to cover tuition and mandatory fees for eligible, low-income high school students who wish to take college courses from Nebraska colleges or universities. This can be achieved through either dual-enrollment or early-enrollment agreements with these educational institutions. High school students interested in this program can apply for funding by filling out the ACE Student Application. The Coordinating Commission will then review the application for potential award consideration.
In order to be considered for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in a course that is eligible and is being taken for a grade. Courses taken as audit or as CR/NC do not qualify. Additionally, the student or their family must be approved to participate in one of the federal need-based government programs listed below, have undergone an extreme hardship that impacts family income, or be participating in a Career Education program as outlined by the Nebraska Department of Education.
- Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program
- Supplemental Security Income
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Special Supplemental Assistance Program (WIC)
Students are required to provide documentation that verifies their approval to participate in the program or evidence of the hardship.
It's important to note that students without legal status in the United States, including those with DACA status, are not eligible to apply for the ACE Scholarship as per state law.
Take note of the following application submission and deadline dates for the ACE Scholarship:
For Fall term classes - applications can be submitted from August 1 (October 15 for Career Program of Study courses); deadline December 15
For Winter term classes - applications can be submitted from November 1 (January 15 for Career Program of Study courses); deadline February 15
For Spring term classes - applications can be submitted from November 15 (March 15 for Career Program of Study courses); deadline May 15
For Summer term classes - applications can be submitted from April 1 (May 15 for Career Program of Study courses); deadline July 15
Go to Scholarship Application