University of Nebraska Kearney

All first year students who apply for regular admission to the University of Nebraska at Kearney will be evaluated for scholarship eligibility based on information supplied with the application for admission. Scholarships requiring separate applications are specified in the descriptions below. Typically, UNK notifies students of scholarship awards shortly after they have been admitted to the university. However, some scholarships involve a more competitive evaluation, and notification will take place after February 1, 2013. 

Please note: The list of scholarships found below may not be a complete listing of scholarships awarded to first year students. Depending on the availability of scholarship funding, UNK may award additional scholarships to recognize high academic achievement or potential.    

Academic Scholarship Awards 

When determining scholarship eligibility for incoming freshmen, UNK uses class rank and ACT/SAT scores submitted to the university by official sources (high school transcripts or test scores sent to UNK from ACT/SAT per the student's request). The deadline to qualify for freshman scholarships is February 1, 2013. It is the student's responsibility to make sure this information is submitted on time. 

If a student receives new ACT/SAT scores after originally submitting information to UNK, UNK will automatically reevaluate a scholarship award on the basis of new ACT/SAT scores only IF those scores are sent automatically to the university by ACT/SAT. Scholarship awards will NOT automatically be reevaluated if new information is submitted by another source, such as a high school transcript. If a student's new score information is submitted by a source other than ACT/SAT, the student must request a reevaluation of the scholarship award by writing to the Freshmen Scholarship Committee, c/o the Office of Financial Aid. No scholarship awards will be reevaluated on the basis of information submitted to UNK after the February 1, 2013 scholarship deadline.

In order to be considered for any academic scholarship awards a new student must meet the following minimum criteria:
            1) Be admitted to UNK by February 1, 2013;
            2) Receive a minimum composite score of 23 on the ACT (1070 on the SAT); and
            3) Be ranked in the top 30% of the high school graduating class.   

UNK uses a  "Scholarship Index" to determine eligibility for the following three scholarships. The index combines the ACT score and class rank stated on the official high school transcript at the time of admission to determine the scholarship the student will receive: 

Board of Regents Scholarship: Full waiver of tuition awarded to Nebraska resident students with a scholarship index of 100 to 87. The scholarship is renewable for up to 125 credit hours at UNK. 

Chancellor’s Scholarship: Tuition waiver of $3,000 per year awarded to students with a scholarship index of 86.99 to 75.25. The scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters. 

Dean’s Scholarship: Tuition waiver of $2,000 per year awarded to students with a scholarship index of 75.24 to 66.50. The scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters. 

Davis-Chambers Scholarship: Recognizes academically promising students from diverse backgrounds who often find that the financial requirements of postsecondary education are a major obstacle. Qualified applicants must be Nebraska residents who have graduated from a Nebraska high school. Award amounts vary, but are generally $2,000 to $4,000 per year. Applicants must be admitted to UNK by February 1, 2013, and must complete the Davis-Chambers Scholarship Application. Click here to download the Davis-Chambers Scholarship Application or pick up a paper copy of the application at the UNK Office of Admissions or the UNK Office of Multicultural Affairs. 

Peter Kiewit Foundation Educators Opportunity Scholarships: Provide awards in the amount of $1000 to $10,000 per year to Nebraska residents who demonstrate a genuine commitment to becoming a teacher. Fluency in Spanish, both written and spoken is required. This scholarship can be renewed for up to eight semesters. Recipients will be selected primarily on the basis of academic potential, commitment to pursuing a career in the teaching profession and fluency in Spanish. Applications must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid by February 1, 2013. Please click here to download the application.