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New scholarship created for low-income graduates

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BY MARGARET REIST / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 - 07:46:06 pm CDT

About 600 low-income high school students in Lincoln just got an incentive to think beyond graduation: a year’s paid tuition at Southeast Community College.

That sounds great to Alex Collier, a Lincoln High senior who wants to go to SCC but can’t do it without some financial aid.

Nobody from his family has been to college, he said, because they can’t afford it.

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Audio: The Learn to Dream scholarship announcement

Southeast Community College president Jack Huge announces the Learn to Dream scholarship along with several other speakers: LPS Superintendent Susan G...

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Learn to Dream

What: A scholarship program sponsored by Union Bank and Nelnet; this year, about 600 of Lincoln’s high school seniors are eligible.

Who: Seniors who graduate from Lincoln’s public and private schools whose families’ incomes make them eligible for the federal free and reduced lunch program.

When: Starts Jan. 1, no scheduled end.

Where: The scholarship will pay for 45 credit hours - a year’s worth - of tuition and fees at any of Southeast Community College’s campuses.

Cost: Officials estimate the cost at about $3 million over five years.

And a scholarship would help.

“I mean, who wouldn’t take advantage of that?”

That’s the response partners in the Learn to Dream Scholarship program are hoping to get with Wednesday’s announcement of what they describe as an innovative program to encourage all students to continue their education past high school.  

The program — a partnership between SCC, Union Bank and Nelnet — will be offered to all of Lincoln’s public and private high school seniors whose family incomes qualify them for the federal free and reduced lunch program.

Students do not have to participate in the lunch program to take advantage of the scholarships.

“This is truly a historic moment for our community and for so many of our families,” Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Susan Gourley said at a news conference announcing the program.

SCC President Jack Huck said the goal is to strengthen families — and the economy.

“The future of Lincoln, our state and our nation are inextricably tied to our ability to move all of our young people into the future workforce at the appropriate levels of education and training,” he said. “That’s what this program does.”

The program will be offered to this year’s seniors beginning Jan. 1.

Huck estimated about 600 seniors will be eligible, but officials are unsure how many students will take advantage of it.

Steve Vasa, a Lincoln High counselor, thinks it could be a motivating force for students who otherwise might not consider continuing their education.

Money concerns weigh heavily on many students.

“This will definitely relieve some of that apprehension,” he said. “I think that’s such an issue for so many of them.”

The scholarship will pay for 45 credit hours and fees, the equivalent of one year of full-time school. Students can use the scholarship within 24 months, said Ben Kiser, Nelnet spokesman.

At $46 per credit hour, that amounts to $2,070. The scholarship will not include other costs like housing or books. It also will not affect students’ ability to apply for other financial aid or scholarships.

Huck estimated the program will cost about $3 million over five years.

It will continue indefinitely, but officials will track students who participate to evaluate the success of the program, Huck said.

Increased student learning and graduation rates are a priority for LPS, Gourley said. This will help on both scores.

“The Learn to Dream Scholarships will encourage students to stay in school and have dreams for a future that in fact can become their reality,” Gourley said.

School officials will work with students to make sure they know about the program.

Eligible juniors and seniors can also use the scholarship money to take dual-credit courses at SCC, Huck said.

Vasa, who counsels Lincoln High students each year about financial aid, said a program like this could make a difference to students on many levels.

Some students go to SCC to see whether college will work for them, he said.

And some who start out in the academic transfer program may decide college isn’t for them, but they’re exposed to other two-year degrees they wouldn’t have known about.

“It opens them up to more options,” he said.

Many other students do transfer credits from SCC to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Huck said.

There are similar programs around the country, Huck said, but none he’s seen of this scope.

In Omaha, a coalition of the city’s wealthiest citizens this June announced a sweeping initiative that would pay for college tuition for low-income high school graduates in Douglas and Sarpy counties. The Building Bright Futures program would try to help students from kindergarten on, and pay for college and associated costs. It’s still unclear who would be selected as part of the Omaha initiative.

Union Bank President Angie Muhleisen said her father thought of the idea, which has been in the works for about a year.

“Our entire motivation behind doing this is to give every child in Lincoln the opportunity to have an education,” she said.

Nelnet’s Kiser said the student loan program’s troubles in recent years — which resulted in settlements with the New York and Nebraska attorney generals this year — have nothing to do with this program.

As part of the settlement, Nelnet agreed to pay $1 million to student loan assistance programs in Nebraska and $2 million to a national fund for educating high school seniors and parents about the financial aid process.

The settlement stemmed from an investigation of what the New York attorney general called questionable “preferred lender” practices.

None of that matters to Lincoln High’s Collier, who said if he wants to go to college — and he does — he needs some financial help.

“(Without it) it would be real hard for me,” he said.

Reach Margaret Reist at 473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com.


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BT wrote on October 3, 2007 11:47 am:
" It would be nice to see this scholarship offered to kids who are from outside of Lincoln. "
yorkie wrote on October 3, 2007 11:50 am:
" Why is it limited to only Lincoln graduates? "
seriously wrote on October 3, 2007 11:54 am:
" Its offered only to Lincoln students for now. Give it a chance to work OR localize your own community to develop such a scholarship. Why does everyone cry about being left out instead of doing something postive. Nebraska communities should look at Lincoln as the example and attempt to replicate. "
cee wrote on October 3, 2007 12:00 pm:
" Why if the school takes all aplicants is the scholarship offered to only Lincoln residents...And why is it just the Lincoln campus...Please don't get me wrong I think it's a great opportunity for Lincolnites but what about the rest of us.... "
Lincolnite wrote on October 3, 2007 12:04 pm:
" Union Bank is involved thus the reason why it could only being offered to Lincoln Graduates. "
M wrote on October 3, 2007 12:05 pm:
" Give it time. I would bet that if it works out, they will expand it. "
because wrote on October 3, 2007 12:05 pm:
" To those that ask "Why is it limited to only Lincoln graduates". That's because the Union Bank & Trust and Nelnet are headquartered in Lincoln. It's probably a way for them to give back to their community. "
none wrote on October 3, 2007 12:10 pm:
" I Agree with BT And Yorkie why should the kids in Lincoln just have that opportuity to have the scholarship to and not ohrt schools. What the low-income kids in other schools out side of Lincoln, they should too have the same option as the Lincoln kids... "
Dick wrote on October 3, 2007 12:25 pm:
" Lots of low-income grads have gone to college the old fashioned way... go out and get a job to pay for your own education. I bet there are going to be a lot of "one and done" college dropouts who receive this scholarship because they haven't yet learned that if you want something you have to work for it. "
CS wrote on October 3, 2007 12:59 pm:
" Because that people putting up the money for the scholarship only wanted it to be for Lincoln graduates. "
sk wrote on October 3, 2007 2:10 pm:
" Why is it always low-income kids? What about the middle class that has to work and get nothing for there efforts for working and making our kids work. "
JGS wrote on October 3, 2007 2:41 pm:
" Why can' the scholarship be offered to all kids. Just because you have parents who work hard and make good money doesn;t mean they don't need help either. Always the low-income get the benfits. People who have certain incomes can still use the help. Have you heard of the "working poor"? "
Lisa wrote on October 3, 2007 3:23 pm:
" I agree with SK. My parents made just enough and not enough at the same time. I am down to $13,000 now (after 2 years of on time monthly payments of 144.30) Only 90 more months to go. FYI: my first year after my BA in Economics I was under the poverty line - you can, and should ask for, loan deferrment. It helped a BUNCH. Another FYI - move out of NE if you want to make money "
CS wrote on October 3, 2007 3:25 pm:
" If you are working poor like I grew up you go apply for scholarships that are for 'working poor'. Or maybe you get good grades and spend some time with those great big books of scholarships and write a few essays, or learn to sing or something. Good grief-if you are working poor or middle class you don't need the same kind of help, now , do you? "
Doc wrote on October 3, 2007 3:43 pm:
" You all, missed it. High school is now a holding pen. Students attend 'cause they have to. What can they do after 4 years of a "quality" education? Really. They knew from the 8th grade on that training or a degree after HS was going to be needed. This looks like a great program. Help all HS students graduate after their junior year and sub first year of college which they need to get a degree. Also let as many HS courses as possible count for college credit as they are doing in many states. Why have parents and taxpayers pay twice? "
Dick wrote on October 3, 2007 3:48 pm:
" Dick. There are also a bunch of college students, of average intelligence, ability, and work ethic, who have gone on to college because they came from a family which could provide a collegiate opportunity. Of course the very talented of the "low income" bunch will find a way to rise to the top, but what about those with average ability? Why shouldn't they get to go to college and have a chance to better themselves...thousands do it every year and it has nothing to do with "their hard work". "
College Student wrote on October 3, 2007 4:15 pm:
" The thing that irks me the most about programs and loans are that they are based on your parents' income. Do they not realize that a majority of students pay for their own college education. Currently I am thosands of dollars in debt due to student loans and this is with scholarships I have been awarded. I have to work fulltime while attending school just to make ends meet, doesn't seem fair to me. "
Rob wrote on October 3, 2007 4:31 pm:
" I was a low income student who made it through NU without help. I lived at home, and worked at Safeway 20 hours a week. And I didn't have to pay $60 per month for a cellphone, or mucho bucks for a car (the bus system worked for me). Joining a frat was out of the question. Of course in engineering school, there was no time for a social life anyway. :) In the 1960s, those were not "necessities." Somehow, they are today. "
Nina wrote on October 3, 2007 4:31 pm:
" And how would Union Bank or Nelnet feel if all their customers outside of Lincoln felt they would rather not do business with companies who exclude them from customer benefits? Union Bank has branches in many other communities; Nelnet covers an even wider area. "
carol wrote on October 3, 2007 5:36 pm:
" I am a current grad student. The first year of my studies, I worked part-time, went to school full-time, and lived mostly off of student loans. The second year, I worked full-time and was a student full-time. The first year I obviously had more time to study, but I was stressed out about paying for rent and other basic needs. The second year, I was less stressed about paying for my needs, but did just enough studying to get by. I hope these scholarships help alleviate some of the stress associated with thinking about how to pay for college on top of basic needs, as well as free up some time for these first-year students to focus on their studies. "
Hmm wrote on October 3, 2007 6:14 pm:
" Why would someone who is truly low income need a scholarship for Southeast (free lunch is the parents income so they would be eligible for a Pell grant), they can get a Pell grant, which is up to $4,050 a year and it covers tuition/books totally at a community college and you get a check after all that is taken out of it, so why they can't just fill out the FAFSA and get the Pell Grant to cover their tuition is beyond me, that is what I did and it worked fine and I had money left over and it doesnt have to be paid back. If it was the University they would need more then a Pell grant but not at a community college. "
good grief wrote on October 3, 2007 6:18 pm:
" Thank you to Nelnet and Union Bank for serving as model organizations that look for ways to give back to the community. I'm sorry that there are so many folks that can't see your generosity through their pity glasses! It's not set up as a public welfare system, nor is it a government aided grant. These are private companies seeing a need and making a future possible for so many kids that haven't been able to see college as a possibility. And for you Outside-of-Lincoln whiners...get over it! If you don't like it, find a company in your town to follow UBT and Nelnet's lead! "
reasons wrote on October 3, 2007 6:22 pm:
" To those still complaining about being Lincoln only graduates. Look around at other businesses small and large. They do the most charity where they are based out of. Google does more in Mountain View, CA then they do in other parts of the world. Microsoft does more in the Seattle area than other parts of the world. This is basic common business practices. Help out those in your "community". For UB&T and Nelnet Lincoln is their community. While they do have other offices, and customers all over, Lincoln is their "community". This isn't about giving back to their customers, but giving back to their "community". "
code wrote on October 3, 2007 6:29 pm:
" It would be nice to open this scholarship up to low income graduates throughout the state. It seems as though Southeast Community College has alot of students that come from outside of Lincoln. Lets get this scholarship open to everyone that needs it. "
come on wrote on October 3, 2007 6:39 pm:
" The argument about expanding the scholarship to kids outside Lincoln is ridiculous! This is a private donation. How many communities have scholarships specifically for kids from the local high school? Darn near ALL of them: local Chamber of Commerce, local bank, local 4H, local church, etc. When you donate this kind of money and make this kind of commitment, you get to limit the participants at your discretion. Get over it already! "
Whine, whine, complain, complain wrote on October 3, 2007 6:39 pm:
" What about all the other scholarships offered to students in places other than Lincoln? Or UNL/SCC scholarships that Lincoln students don't qualify for? What about them? This could easily be Lincoln's way of keeping Lincoln's kids in Lincoln. Quit your complaining with all of the "woah is me, I'm not from Lincoln, I can't get this tiny little scholarship." Come on. Now if it were for UNL (where tuition is MUCH higher than $46 a credit hour) then I could understand the want for wider competition. But it's for SCC...get over yourselves and realize that you can't have everything. Jeeze people. "
Own communities wrote on October 3, 2007 8:00 pm:
" Seriously has a good point. Instead of looking to Lincoln as the cash cow to provide a scholarship to the surrounding community, spearhead 1 for your own community. There are many college, organizational, business & national scholarships to go after. As someone who lives in Lincoln & works in Waverly, there are scholarships available at Waverly High that are only geared for Waverly High students. They aren't available to Lincoln high school kids. "
Wow wrote on October 3, 2007 9:15 pm:
" Nothing like a good article about a good program to bring the complainers out. Just can't please everyone, can you? "
EARN IT wrote on October 3, 2007 9:34 pm:
" I came from a very well-to-do family, and worked my butt off in High School. Involved myself in a lot of activities, sports, etc., and carried a 3.96 GPA. Received over $30K of MERIT BASED scholarships through undergrad and grad school. To everyone crying "me, me, me" and "what about non-Lincolnites," I tell you this... there are many other ways out there to get a great education, and EARN solid financial assistance. "
quit complaining wrote on October 3, 2007 10:26 pm:
" My gosh--can anybody ever do anything good for somebody without it offending someone else or having to complain "why can't I get this" or "why is it only for those people. Be thankful that this has been made available to those people" If it bothers you that much, go out and find another company to offer scholarships for whatever hardship you think you have. GET OVER IT! "
Matt wrote on October 4, 2007 12:02 am:
" Unfortunately, a Pell Grant does not cover tuition, fees, and room & board anymore. It maybe did in 1962, but today, it barely covers tuition and fees. "
ENOUGH! wrote on October 4, 2007 7:23 am:
" My god, anytime there is a positive story in this paper, you damn Nebraskans always have to screw it up with your whiny, selfish, "what about me??" attitudes. This is a great program, and I'm glad it's only for the low-income kids. For those who question why it only applies to low-income people, it's because THEY NEED IT MORE. And all you middle-upper class parents complaining about it: next time, instead of spending $40,000 on a car for your 16 year old, take that money and set it aside for a college fund instead. Then you won't have to complain when the po' folks go to college for free, because your child is already there too. "
Geezer wrote on October 4, 2007 7:32 am:
" Nobody deserves ANY help. Period. Nobody ever gave me any. And if I were Union Bank and Nelnet, I'd say 'the heck with it' and keep their money. Buncha ingrates and whiners. "
former student wrote on October 4, 2007 7:51 am:
" So nice that I can pay off my student loan to Nelnet in order for them to help low income families! (not) And seriously thinking of switching where I bank. I came from a family that instilled values that I would get more out of college and put more into my learning if I paid for it myself. I may be thousands of dollars in debt still after already paying for 7 years but I also value the education I got and I paid for. I didn't get the free ride, I worked fulltime and went to school. I didn't live at home I did it on my own. I didn't go to college right after high school I had to save up money which meant a lot of scholarships weren't available to me. I guess if we all have a dream it takes a little sweat to reach that goal. And I thank my parents for teaching me that lesson. "
M wrote on October 4, 2007 8:00 am:
" I commented earlier and I was calm... See if it works, maybe it will expand. But after reading all of the comments I can't quite stay calm anymore. Nearly every scholarship is exclusive in some way. There are scholarships for kids of Vetrans. There are scholarships for the first kid in a family to go to college. Heck, even David Letterman has a scholarship for kids with a C average. There are THOUSANDS of scholarships out there and surely you can find one for the kids of parents who complain that their kids don't qualify for every scrap of free money available. Get off the comments page and start researching. You can start here: http://www.educationquest.org/ They have a section called ScholarshipQuest. "
Cool wrote on October 4, 2007 8:06 am:
" I think it's great that this is being offered. Yeah, these kids could get Pell grants but if they get the scholarship then it saves the government and ultimately the tax payers that much money since these private organizations have donated it. If I ever had enough money I would make scholarships for those kids whose parents make enough money to where the kid don't qualify for Pell grants OR loans. Yes, you cannot get a stafford loan if your parents make too much. Now, why would I do this? My sister is nearing college and my parents make too much money for her to get any kind of money for school and she has also been made to work a part time job so all those extra curricular activites and extra studying weren't an option. But guess what? My parents will not pay one single dime towards anything. I will be paying for her tuition and books at SCC for her first two years, how is she supposed to make enough to cover that? There's no way she could. So my scholarship would be for those whose parents make too much but won't help. Also, I got 6 college credits from classes I took in high school. They don't always advertise that this is possible but if you ask the counselors they will tell you which ones count in college. "
JP wrote on October 4, 2007 8:17 am:
" Students still have the opportunity to earn academic scholarships. "
quit hating... wrote on October 4, 2007 8:58 am:
" i for one am very happy, and think this is a great opportunity. Good for Nelnet, this changes my impression of you. Union bank thanks. HERE'S AN IDEA U CAN ALWAYS MOVE! This is so fabulous, as a member of the "working poor", our family will take advantage of it. Middle class america get over yourself, stop over spending beyond your means living in Mc Mansions and save $$$, just like us poor folk do. Be responsible and stop complaining. Thanks again, this is the best news every! "
What? wrote on October 4, 2007 9:06 am:
" If I was a member of whatever committee who worked to get this scholarship program up and running, I would be so tempted to pull the program based on all of the whiners on this board. Get over yourselves. I cannot believe how selfish you are being over some of the stipulations set forth in this program. This is a great way to help out a HANDFUL of underprivileged kids who now have a wonderful opportunity to better themselves. And I stress a handful, because it's not like UBT/Nelnet would be able to fund the entire academic career of all Nebraska students, like you whiners seem to think they are obligated to do. Talk about kicking a gift horse in the mouth. "
comments... wrote on October 4, 2007 9:08 am:
" i think a lot of the people commenting need to go back to school. wow. you can still qualify for pell grants, student loans etc. the doesn't even mention anything about grades, race etc. so why all the hating? why do you equate a scholorship w/ not working hard, students do have to work hard for scholorhips, and to get through college period. Can't you just be happy? "
Gee wrote on October 4, 2007 11:16 am:
" Where's the break for the working class? I'm sick of low income individuals getting opportunities handed to them while my husband and I work overtime to get our kids the same opportunities. "
why... wrote on October 4, 2007 11:56 am:
" why do you assume that people who get free lunch are not the working class. they are just poorer than you. sorry. but where does it say that we don't work since we get free lunch. get over it. POOR PEOPLE WORK TOO, HAVE YOU TRIED LIVING ON MIN WAGE? they are just like u and me. "
Matt Poulsen wrote on October 4, 2007 11:58 am:
" My family owns a business in a very small town in North Central Nebraska. Every year they hand out several scholarships to local grads. They wouldn't even consider offering these scholarships to Lincolnites. Why do people think that Union Bank and Nelnet are out of line by giving the scholarships to only Lincoln students. Quit with your "sense of entitlement". Nobody is entitled to the this money...they are giving out of their generosity and they can choose who they give to. The discussion is absurd. "
Here's a clue: wrote on October 4, 2007 12:04 pm:
" It's Southeast COMMUNITY College. Get the keyword here? That's why it's offered to Lincolnites. Time to move on to the next article to find something to whine about there, too... "
KrissyK wrote on October 4, 2007 1:03 pm:
" I agree with the posters who are saying 'WHY ARE SO MANY OF YOU ANGRY ABOUT THIS??' It's a SCHOLARSHIP. That is hardly a handout. You have to qualify by grades and accomplishments, and all of the things that look to make you a wise investment. And with scholarships (I had those as well as grants and loans myself) you have to maintain a good grade point average, and if it's a performance scholarship, same applies along with other expectations. This is a GREAT thing. And 'low income' doesn't mean those people/families don't work hard, too! "
Seriously? wrote on October 4, 2007 2:00 pm:
" I can't believe the people that spit in the face of a gift to the community like this. First of all, if half of the reported number of 600-plus students all took advantage of this, it would be a donation of $3 million over the next five years. If you want something like this in your town, find a company to back it. What most people are missing, is that this will give students a chance to dream about college at an early age, instead of assuming it's not an option. This will only be an asset to our community if the citizens are more educated. Even if this saves just one student's life and gives them an opportunity they would not have had, it becomes an incredible story. "
Julie wrote on October 4, 2007 2:01 pm:
" Thanks, Matt P-- I completely agree. What a bunch of ungrateful whiners on this board! It's no wonder that kids are turning out the way they do with the apparent "why does he get his when I can't get mine" attitude on here! I think these scholarships will be a great thing for those who will need them most, and for those who would not go to college otherwise. Bravo, Union Bank and Nelnet! "
Paul wrote on October 4, 2007 4:06 pm:
" As a teacher, I applaud these efforts by all involved. I will rest easier knowing our community will have done everything in its power to help create a better future. This is merely a head start - a push with some training wheels if you will. Let's celebrate the fact that there are folks out there who truly care about "Paying it Forward". "
mark wrote on October 4, 2007 4:45 pm:
" thus the benefit of having corporations headquartered locally - and developing the NU Research District at Fair Park. "
Erin wrote on October 4, 2007 6:56 pm:
" People should realize that education is a community good. Even if no one you know is a recipient of this scholarship, you will benefit indirectly, living in a community where the average education level is nudged upward. Don't complain about a gift just because it doesn't have your name on it. "
Lindsay wrote on October 5, 2007 5:47 am:
" Dick, have you seen how much it costs to go to school these days? Having a job just doesn't cut it anymore. "
Supporter wrote on October 5, 2007 9:07 am:
" Thanks Nelnet & Union Bank for setting this scholarship program up. Thank you for giving back to the community & giving students a chance at attending college. "
Student wrote on October 5, 2007 9:21 am:
" I think that it's great that another scholarship is available, but the thing that always gets me is that nearly everything goes off of what the parent's income is. My parents make enough money that I was ineligible for goverment assistance. This doesn't work out too well for me considering I am paying for my own schooling, and I don't expect a dime from my parents. I recently turned 23, and I still have to include my parents on my FAFSA even though I have been on my own since I was 18. I don't think my parents are bad parents because they aren't paying for my college education, and I don't think it should be assumed that parents have financial responsibility for every college student. Maybe some day I'll be rich, and I can make a scholarship for students that are paying their own way even if their parents have money...I know there are a lot of us out there! :) "
CS wrote on October 5, 2007 1:07 pm:
" Student-unless your parents have been declaring you on their taxes you haven't had to list their income on a FAFSA. I was both a traditional and non-traditional student and as soon as I moved out my parent's income was not a factor. I continue to fill out the same FAFSA that you do as I am a Doane student now. I think you have been misled or mis-interpreted the instructions. There is no way to know your exact situation, but if you don't live at home and you file your own taxes you should have been an independent student. "
HRH The Prince of Wales wrote on October 5, 2007 1:53 pm:
" You ask why most people on here complain? Look at the state voter registration in Nebraska. Democracts think the glass is half full. Republicans think the glass is theirs. The federal government reported in 2005 that over 10 billion dollars in scholarships available for the 2003 school year were not even applied for. There is a scholarship for everything! Including Nebraska whinners who demand everything! You whinners, get off your imperial thrones and look. And you have to start looking in when your kid is a junior in high school. To those who complain they have to work overtime to send their kids to college. Thats your problem, he or she probally was eligible for some sort of scholarship. "
Student wrote on October 6, 2007 12:28 am:
" I have file my own taxes for several years as I am a self-employed massage therapist. When I returned to college 2 years ago I even contacted FAFSA several times and they said if I had a problem with it I needed to contact my governor. They told me if I wanted to be independent I would still have to file a bunch of papers to be emancipated from my parents. Next year however...I will be able to file my own! GO ME! :) "

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