Scholarship Policy Change Would Expand Flexibility for Nonresident Students

A minimum grade point average would be added to the factors by which nonresident students could qualify for merit scholarships at the University of Nebraska under a policy change to be considered by the Board of Regents.

Under current Board policy, undergraduate nonresident students may be eligible for merit scholarships at UNL, UNO, UNK or UNMC if they rank in the top 25 percent of their high school class, or score a 23 or higher on the ACT or the SAT equivalent.

The proposed change, which regents will consider at their Aug. 14 meeting, adds a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to that list.

The change reflects two national trends, according to NU System President Ted Carter: First, many high schools no longer calculate students’ class rank. Second, COVID-19 has significantly disrupted standardized test-taking across the country this year, creating challenges for students as they plan for college.

“Our highest priority is taking care of students and families. That includes students outside Nebraska who want to be part of the University of Nebraska family,” Carter said. “These talented students contribute enormously to our campus communities, and many of them stay in Nebraska after they graduate to live, work and raise their families – a great benefit to our state and workforce.”

Carter commended campus admissions teams for leading the effort to amend the Board’s policy.

“To any student outside Nebraska who’s thinking of coming here, we say: There’s a great opportunity for you at the University of Nebraska,” he said.

If approved by the Board, the policy change would be effective immediately.

Complete, detailed information on admissions, scholarships and financial aid is available on the UNO admissions website.