Navigating Nevada's Scholarship Landscape: A Guide to Eligibility and Opportunities

For students aspiring to higher education in Nevada, numerous scholarship opportunities exist to alleviate the financial burden. These scholarships cater to diverse academic achievements, financial needs, and career aspirations. This article provides a comprehensive overview of various Nevada state scholarships and their eligibility requirements, offering a pathway for students to access these valuable resources.

General Scholarship Opportunities

Nevada State University students have access to a variety of financial aid programs to assist with tuition for financial aid-eligible coursework. These include scholarships for both incoming and continuing students, each with specific criteria.

Scorpion Academic Scholarship

The Scorpion Academic Scholarship is available to new and continuing students. To qualify, students must apply for general admission and submit their transcripts to Nevada State by specified deadlines. There is no separate application for this scholarship. Awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, contingent upon funding availability. There are three award levels within each of these scholarship types based on GPA.

Leadership Scholarship

The Leadership Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year is currently open. In 2024/25, the Nevada State Foundation awarded 100 scholarships to Nevada State students.

First & Fierce Scholarship

First & Fierce is dedicated to serving first-generation Nevada State students by providing them with essential resources and holistic support to create equitable opportunities for success in higher education. This scholarship is available to new and continuing students.

Read also: Rankings and Distinctions at UNR

Scholarship Match Program

Degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.75 cumulative NS GPA, making Satisfactory Academic Progress, and enrolled full-time (12 or more financial aid-eligible credits) may be eligible for a scholarship match. The match will be automatically applied during the semester the outside scholarship is awarded. Award disbursements will be held each semester until after the enrollment cancellation for non-attendance has taken place.

Scholarships for Future Educators

The State of Nevada offers several scholarships specifically designed to support pre-service and in-service educators in achieving their career goals.

Teach Nevada Scholarship (TNS)

The Teach Nevada Scholarship (TNS) was created during the 78th Legislative Session (2015) and is codified in NRS 391A.550 - NRS 391A.590. Appropriations are made by the Legislature each fiscal year. Applications are sent to Nevada Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) once funding has been established. Based on application and available funding, the Department of Education establishes and makes awards to approved EPPs in Nevada, who then determine scholarship distribution to enrolled students. A TNS is worth up to the cost of tuition, registration, and mandatory fees. Prospective candidates must apply for the scholarship through the EPP they wish to attend.

Incentivizing Pathways to Teaching (IPT) Scholarship

The Incentivizing Pathways to Teaching (IPT) Scholarship was originally federally funded through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II Fund. It was continued in the State General Fund during the 82nd Legislative Session (2023). Appropriations are made by the Legislature each fiscal year. Applications are sent to Nevada Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) once funding has been established. Based on application and available funding, the Department of Education establishes and makes awards to approved EPPs in Nevada. Candidates who wish to pursue a Nevada educator career can apply for IPT scholarships through the EPP they wish to attend.

Kenny Guinn Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2011, the Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Millennium Scholarship is bestowed to four qualified Governor Guinn Millennium Scholars each year, two in northern Nevada and two in southern Nevada. Eligible students must be majoring in elementary or secondary education with the intent of teaching in Nevada.

Statewide Financial Aid Programs

Nevada offers three statewide financial aid programs, two of which require a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application: the Nevada Promise Scholarship and the Silver State Opportunity Grant.

Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship

The Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship awards up to $10,000 in tuition to qualified students who attend college in Nevada. This scholarship provides a significant opportunity to save money by attending an in-state college or university. Eligible Millennium Scholars must be enrolled full-time (12 or more financial aid-eligible credits) to receive the $60 per credit award and may be funded for up to 15 credits per semester. Remedial courses are not eligible for funding, but will count toward the full-time enrollment requirement.

Nevada Promise Scholarship

The Nevada Promise Scholarship is designed for Nevada high school graduates to attend community college.

Steps to Earn TMCC's Nevada Promise Scholarship:

Complete the Nevada Promise Scholarship Application: Class of 2026 applicants must fill out the online application and submit it before midnight on October 31.
Apply for Admission: Complete the TMCC Application for Admission and view important dates and deadlines.
Complete a Nevada Promise Program Training: This training must be completed no later than March 1.
Complete a FAFSA: All applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than April 1. Students not eligible to complete a FAFSA must complete and submit the Non-FAFSA Filer Declaration no later than April 1, and should apply for additional aid as a FAFSA Non-Filer.
Learn About Your Placement Options: New students have options for placement testing, including ACT or SAT scores, a qualifying high school GPA, and AP scores. Scores must be less than two years old. Recent high school graduates may place using alternate pathways, using their high school coursework to qualify.
Complete New Student Orientation: Access New Student Orientation through your WebCollege Canvas account.
Complete and Report Community Service Hours: All students must complete and report 8 hours of community service no later than May 1.
Meet with Your Assigned Mentor: Students are required to meet with an assigned mentor at least one time no later than July 1.
Register for Classes: Register for at least 12 credits that are required for your certificate or degree program at TMCC for Fall no later than July 1.

As a last-dollar scholarship, the Nevada Promise Scholarship may cover up to three years of the cost to eligible students for registration fees and other mandatory fees not covered by other gift aid. Nevada Promise will cover Per Credit Fee, Student Association Fee, Technology Fee, Health and Sports Complex Fee, and Academic Success Fee. Gift aid is defined as a federal Pell Grant, a federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), a Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG), or a Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship (GGMS). Note: The Nevada Promise Scholarship covers registration fees and mandatory fees during the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters for eligible students. Awards are contingent on available funding.

Silver State Opportunity Grant

The Silver State Opportunity Grant Program (SSOG Program) is Nevada’s first and only state-supported financial aid program created by the 2015 Legislature pursuant to Senate Bill 227 (Chapter 387, Statutes of Nevada 2015).

Read also: Comprehensive Look at UNLV

UNLV Scholarship Opportunities

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers various scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students based on academic achievement and financial need.

Academic Scholarship

An academic scholarship is offered at the time of admission based on academic achievements. For initial consideration, students must be admitted to UNLV and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Institutional Aid Application by the priority deadline. There is no additional application process. Renewability: Up to 135 attempted credits, including transfer credits, with a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Must be enrolled full-time each semester (12 or more credits).

Scholarship Based on Academic Achievement and Financial Need

A scholarship is offered at the time of admission based on academic achievement and financial need. For initial consideration, students must be admitted to UNLV and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Institutional Aid Application by the priority deadline. There is no additional application process. Renewability: Up to 135 attempted credits, including transfer credits, with a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Must be enrolled full-time each semester (12 or more credits).

UNLV Rebel Edge Program

The UNLV Rebel Edge program makes college more affordable by covering the difference between federal, state, and institutional aid and tuition and fees (up to 15 credits). This program also offers a $1,000 annual book stipend. Initial Eligibility: Must be a Nevada resident, be fully admitted to UNLV by the priority deadline, submit a completed FAFSA and Institutional Aid Application by the priority deadline, start in the fall semester, and have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of less than $68,000. Renewability: Up to 135 attempted credits, including transfer credits, with a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Must be enrolled full-time each semester (12 or more credits). Must complete a FAFSA or an Institutional Aid Application each year by the priority deadline. Must have an AGI of less than $68,000. Students from Nevada whose household has an AGI of less than $68,000 will be eligible for the Rebel Edge program. Rebel Edge combines federal, state, and institutional aid to offer full-time students free tuition and fees for up to 15 credits, along with a $1,000 annual book stipend. Depending on a student’s federal, state, and institutional aid, they may also receive the Tuition+ Fees scholarship to cover remaining eligible tuition and fees.

NVIGATE Scholarship

Administered by the Nevada State Treasurer’s Office, NVIGATE is a merit-based scholarship available to Nevada high school graduates that pays up to a lifetime total of $10,000 toward eligible credits. This scholarship must be used within 6 years of high school graduation and is allocated on a per-credit-hour basis for up to 15 credit hours each semester. Renewability: This scholarship is renewable up to $10,000 within six years of their high school graduation. Amount: Between $960-$1,200 per semester; calculated for 12-15 credits. This scholarship can be applied for during the summer session as a reimbursement based on eligibility from the previous semester. Full-time enrollment is not a requirement during the summer. Other Requirements: There is a two-strike policy. If eligibility is lost for the first time, the scholarship is suspended until requirements are met, a strike is received, and the student can use the next semester as a self-funded semester to regain eligibility. All other aid will continue to apply as long as eligibility is met for other aid types. Millennium will be automatically added to the following term once eligibility is re-met.

Scholarship for Top High School Students

A scholarship for eligible incoming first-year students who are ranked number one on their high school transcript at the time of admission. This scholarship will no longer be offered to new, incoming students admitted to any term after fall 2025. Renewability: Up to 135 attempted credits, including transfer credits, with a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Must be enrolled full-time each semester (12 or more credits).

WUE Scholarship

WUE offers significant tuition savings, amounting to several thousand dollars per year compared to the standard nonresident rate. Renewability: Up to 135 attempted credits, including transfer credits, with a cumulative GPA of 2.00. To qualify for the WUE scholarship, students must be admitted to UNLV. No special application is required.

External Scholarships

External scholarships are available each year from organizations not affiliated with UNLV. These organizations determine the criteria and deadlines for their scholarship, so read through all information carefully. The best time to apply for external scholarships is at the end of the calendar year before each fall semester.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Pack Promise+

Pack Promise+ is a need-based, last dollar financial aid program offering up to $11,500 per year in gift aid (grants and scholarships) to help pay for tuition, fees, and books. If you meet all requirements, you can get up to $11,500 in gift aid (grants and scholarships) to help pay for your tuition, fees and books.

Alternative One-Year Scholarship

New freshman that do not submit SAT/ACT scores may receive a one-year award based on their unweighted cumulative high school GPA only.

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