The Admitted Incoming Freshman Scholarship Application is the application for first-time freshmen UNK scholarships. Students fill out one application that will then submit them to most UNK scholarships. Some scholarships require a separate application, which can be accessed in the list below. The application opens August 1 and closes March 1 annually. Admitted students will access the Admitted Incoming Freshman Scholarship Application through MyBLUE. This link will not be available until you are admitted to UNK.
First-time freshmen are automatically considered for renewable merit scholarships at UNK based on GPA, transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores submitted in the admissions process. High school transcripts must be received by UNK and the student must be admitted to UNK by March 1 to be eligible for UNK Merit Scholarships. If you have a GPA of 3.7 or greater, your information will be reviewed for one of the following scholarships:
Awards are based on the sixth-semester (end of junior year) cumulative Grade Point Average and will be automatically converted to a 4.0 scale. These scholarships are renewable upon meeting the renewal criteria outlined in the terms and conditions document. Terms and conditions for each scholarship are linked above. Scholarship amounts are based on the year a student was first enrolled. Please reference your offer letter for details.
Merit award notifications will be sent beginning Oct. 1.
Other Scholarships, Award Amounts, Deadlines, and Academic Requirements are listed below.
Select location or view all first-time freshmen scholarships
Scholarship
Award
Deadline
The New Nebraskan Scholarship pays the difference between resident and non-resident tuition and may be applied to freshman, sophomore, and junior summer terms.
Must only apply to UNK. No other application is required. There is no deadline.
Students who intend to be admitted into the Department of Music and Performing Arts as a music major or minor require an audition. Those who are successful with their audition may be considered for music scholarships. View the list of Music Scholarships. View more information about auditioning and the program.
Kearney Law Opportunities Program (KLOP) is a collaborative partnership between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska College of Law. It is designed to recruit students from rural areas and train them to become lawyers who will return and practice in their communities. Participants receive their bachelor’s degrees at UNK and are then guaranteed admittance to the Nebraska College of Law. Students selected for KLOP will receive a full tuition scholarship to UNK for up to 120 credit hours.
August 1 through November 15 at 11:59 PM CST.
The Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP) is a cooperative program between the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). The purpose of the program is to recruit and educate students from rural Nebraska who are committed to returning to rural Nebraska to practice healthcare. This program represents a commitment and dedication to the education of Nebraskans and to quality health care for citizens of the state. High school seniors from rural Nebraska who will be receiving a high school diploma or equivalent, have a sincere interest in becoming a health care provider and a willingness to practice in rural Nebraska are encouraged to apply.
September 1 through December 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
UNK’s most prestigious scholarship, the Omaha World Herald Scholarship pays tuition, books, room, board, and university fees for four years. In addition to the Omaha World Herald Scholarship, other scholarships may be awarded to honors students who participate in interviews.
September 1 through January 7 at 11:59 PM CST.
*Students with scores slightly below are encouraged to apply.
The Nebraska Good Life Opportunities Program is a partnership between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, which prepares students for high-demand careers as city managers, urban and regional planners, non-profit managers, public policy administrators, community and economic development officials, among many others. Students within this program complete their undergraduate work at UNK, with guaranteed admission into the Master’s in Public Administration program at UNO. Students selected for the program will receive a full tuition scholarship to UNK for up to 120 credit hours.
Through February 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST.
The 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 should be graduates of a Nebraska high school and a resident of Nebraska.
The scholarship commitment can equal up to the full direct cost of attendance. The typical award is between $2,000 and $4,000 a year.
August 1 through February 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
Recipients of this scholarship will receive a full tuition waiver renewable for up to 120 credit hours. Students pursuing any established major at the University of Nebraska at Kearney are encouraged to apply. Recipients will be selected primarily based on leadership and involvement in their communities through participation in school and community activities, specifically work with diverse populations, such as but not limited to Latinx, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other historically underrepresented communities. Their engagement should focus on diversity programming and engagement, or events and activities that promote moving diversity and inclusion initiatives forward in their respective communities.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
Cooperating School Scholarships are provided to school districts who host UNK student teachers. The Cooperating School Scholarships are offered in the amount of either $750 or $1500. Students are nominated by the schools. These scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters and required a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and the completion of 24 credit hours during the academic year, fall and spring semesters combined.
Nominations are submitted by the high school to UNK’s Financial Aid Office.
First Year Theatre Scholarships are presented annually to up to (5) incoming freshman or transfer students pursuing a major in Theatre at UNK. These awards are $1000 tuition waivers distributed over the first two semesters of enrollment at UNK. First Year Scholarship recipients are expected to achieve a GPA of 3.0 or better during their first semester at UNK in order to retain the award for the second semester.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
This is a one-time scholarship for incoming freshmen who are majoring in Chemistry. The scholarship ranges from $500-$1000.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
Through the “Buckle Excellence Scholarship Fund”, Buckle provides the opportunity for young men and women headed to college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Each year, one freshman majoring in a Cyber Systems major program will be selected to receive a two-year scholarship, in the amount of $3,000 per year, and two Cyber System students are selected to each receive a $3,000 scholarship!
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
The Bilingual Service Scholarship provides up to $6,000 annually to live in university housing. The scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a degree in a service field with high need for bilingual professionals. Students majoring in education, social work, criminal justice, and other professions in which bilingual or multilingual skills are prominent are encouraged to apply. The award is renewable for up to 4 years for students who live in on-campus housing.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
This fund has been created by Barbara Hurt-Simmons, a Hastings, Nebraska, native and 1982 graduate of UNK. Barbara was a very active member of the campus community, with notable contributions to Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Panhellenic Council and Student Senate. Barbara was a founder of the Student Alumni Board and served as half of the first all-female student body president/vice president team. It is her intent to assist an up-and-coming student leader in their development as an individual who will also contribute to UNK and their community following graduation.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
Students enrolled in health care, engineering, mathematics, computer information systems, pre-veterinary medicine, communication disorders, biology, chemistry, exercise science, industrial technology, and psychology degree programs are eligible. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, room and board or relevant tools and equipment.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.-
The CBT Community is a residential cohort established to help students interested in majors within the College of Business and Technology to connect and develop networks in their transition to college.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
Candidates for this scholarship must have declared a major in the Department of Industrial Technology, with first preference to a declared Construction Management major. Candidates shall be incoming freshman.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
Candidates for this scholarship shall be pursuing any major or a minor in Industrial Technology. Candidates shall have incoming freshman class standing and be graduates of Kearney High School or Kearney Catholic High School. Financial need may be taken into consideration.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST
This scholarship shall be awarded to any student in the College of Business and Technology with an incoming freshman class standing. Candidates shall be residents of Nebraska. Preference shall be given to students who demonstrate financial need. Preference will also be given to students who are a resident of either Madison, Pierce, or Webster county.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
This scholarship shall be awarded to one or more UNK undergraduate students who have freshman class standing and a 3.0 or above GPA. Preference shall be given to candidates who graduated from Red Cloud, Nebraska High School. Second preference shall go to candidates who graduated from Blue Hill, Nebraska High School.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
Students must have a declared major in Studio Art, Visual Communications, or Art Education. These are primarily talent-based scholarships.
The review committee will focus on student portfolios that demonstrate strong technical ability in variety of media, and above average creativity.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
The UNK FBLA scholarship provides financial assistance to two incoming freshmen students enrolled in the College of Business & Technology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
This scholarship is in the memory of the leadership and generosity demonstrated by Ron and Carol Cope. The goal of this program is to recruit and develop future leaders. Each year, four new students will be admitted to the program. At least two recipients will be designated Cope Business Leaders and must declare and remain in a major provided through the College of Business. The others can be in any other major and will be designated Cope Community Leaders. They will receive an annual award of $4,000 that will be applied to their tuition, fees, and books. Recipients of the Board of Regents or Blue and Gold Scholarships are not eligible and therefore should not apply for this scholarship.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
The Richard E. Person Scholarship Fund was established to aid Phelps County residents who have chosen to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The scholarship is renewable annually as long as the student attends UNK and maintains a 3.0 or above GPA during their attendance at UNK.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
The Ralph and June Nylander Scholarship Fund was established to aid Phelps County residents who have chosen to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
The Nebraska Bankers Scholarship provides scholarship assistance to incoming freshmen students enrolled in the College of Business at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
The Kelly Buck Memorial Scholarship shall provide one or more scholarships to undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. This fund is for students who have demonstrated financial need.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
This scholarship is for entering freshmen who have declared a major in political science.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
This scholarship is for entering freshmen who have declared a major in Biology.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.
The Industrial Technology Incoming Freshman Scholarship is for high school seniors who are interested in one of the Industrial Technology programs.
August 1 through March 1 at 11:59 PM CST.