March 30, 2021
Dear Superintendent Lambert:
Thank you again for your leadership in supporting access and success for Nebraska students.
Earlier this month, I wrote to remind you of the University of Nebraska’s new financial aid program, the Nebraska Promise, that guarantees full tuition coverage for qualifying Nebraska students with family incomes of $60,000 or less.
I’m pleased to tell you today that all campuses in the University of Nebraska system have extended the deadline by which students can qualify for the Nebraska Promise for the 2021-22 school year by one month. Previously, the priority date for FAFSA completion was April 1. Now students will have until May 1 to file their FAFSA and be considered for the Nebraska Promise. No separate application for the Nebraska Promise is required, but students do need to file the FAFSA each year to remain eligible.
These are unusual and challenging times, and we want to provide students and families with as much flexibility as possible as they plan for college. In its first year, the Nebraska Promise generated an incredible response, with more than 7,000 students qualifying. We don’t want any student to miss out on this opportunity for a more affordable and accessible college education.
I ask your help in spreading the word that students now have one additional month to complete their FAFSA and qualify for the Nebraska Promise. And even if students do not qualify for the Nebraska Promise, they may still qualify for other forms of financial aid by filling out the FAFSA, so we encourage all students to take this important step.
We invite you to visit the Nebraska Promise website to learn more. Our campus admissions and financial aid teams at UNL, UNO, UNK and UNMC stand ready to answer questions and assist with the application process, so please reach out to them anytime.
Thank you for your partnership. I hope to connect with you again soon.
