Navigating the Regents Scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) offers various scholarships to support students in their academic pursuits. Among these, the Regents Scholarship stands out as a prestigious award recognizing academic excellence. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Regents Scholarship at UNL, including eligibility criteria, renewal requirements, and other essential information.

Initial Scholarship Offer and Acceptance

Upon admission to UNL, students who qualify for a campus-wide scholarship, including the Regents Scholarship, will receive an official scholarship offer notification from the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid. This offer will also be visible in MyRED, the university's online portal, under the financial aid tab. Students must accept the scholarship offer through MyRED. The notification includes a webpage listing the full eligibility and renewal policies and expectations of the scholarship if the scholarship is renewable.

Regents Scholarship: Eligibility and Renewal

The Regents Scholarship is designed to recognize and support academically talented students. Here's a breakdown of the key criteria:

Initial Eligibility

Regents Scholars demonstrate academic distinction at the highest level. Consideration is based on first meeting a minimum composite test score of 32 ACT (or SAT equivalent) for any University of Nebraska campus. Selection is based on a final holistic review that includes a balanced objective assessment of grade point average and/or class rank with a subjective final academic review.

Renewal Requirements

Renewal of the Regents Scholarship for each subsequent year is dependent upon the recipient maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 or ranking in the upper 25% of the relevant class in a degree-granting undergraduate college. The University computes grade point averages to three decimal places and does not round. For students enrolled in the Exploratory and PreProfessional Advising Center, and the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service, the norms for the College of Arts & Sciences will be used in determining the upper 25% of the relevant class. Renewal determinations are made at the end of each spring semester.

Full-Time Enrollment: Scholarship recipients must enroll full-time (at least 12 UNL credit hours) during each semester of the academic year (fall and spring semesters) in order to receive the benefit. These hours must be officially registered by the sixth day of classes (or census date) each semester.

Graded Hours: Recipients must enroll in at least 9 graded UNL hours each academic year (fall/spring) on the regular A+ through F scale (i.e., not counting P/NP or P/F). Repeated courses will only count once and must be registered for consecutive semesters (i.e., full time by sixth day of classes, or census date, each semester).

Credit Hour Coverage

The Regents Scholar Tuition Commitment covers the cost of UNL tuition for up to 120 credit hours. These hours are exclusive of transfer hours from UNO, UNK, UNMC, extended education, transfer hours from another institution for education abroad, and hours earned as a UNL visiting student. However, credit hours earned at a University of Nebraska campus are included in the UNL cumulative grade point average calculation.

The Regents commitment covers tuition for the minimum number of credit hours required to graduate (usually 120). Students who need fewer credits to graduate than the usual 120 and attain a bachelor's degree will only receive the award for the number of credits required to attain the bachelor's degree. For example, if a program normally requires 120 credits to graduate, but a student can graduate with only 115 credits at UNL, the Regents Scholarship will cover the cost of those 115 credits.

Exceptions for Specific Degree Programs:Beginning in 2020, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents aligned policies related to the undergraduate Regents Scholar Tuition Commitment to align with the length of your degree program. The Board of Regents policy requires all undergraduate degree programs be capped at 120 credit hours, with a few exceptions. This allows the majority of students the ability to graduate in four years when they complete an average of 15 credit hours each semester. The following undergraduate degree programs require more than 120 credit hours. For degree programs that require more than 120 credit hours, you will receive a higher limit of credit hours as follows: Agricultural Engineering: 123, Biological Systems Engineering: 127, Chemical Engineering: 131, Civil Engineering: 130, Computer Engineering: 126, Construction Engineering: 125, Electrical Engineering: 124, Mechanical Engineering: 128, Software Engineering: 124, Elementary Education (K-6) & Early Childhood (Age 3 to Grade 3): 135, Elementary & Special Education (K-6): 130.

Summer Enrollment

When meeting renewal criteria, scholarship funds may be used to pay tuition for summer enrollment at UNL after the completion of the first academic year if the student completes the Summer Aid Application in MyRed.

Transferring to Another University of Nebraska Campus

After completing at least one year of study at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and meeting the requirements listed above, a Regents Scholar may transfer to another campus of the University of Nebraska. To qualify for an award transfer when the same major is available on both campuses, the student must have met the initial award standards for the campus to which they transfer and the criteria for renewal. To qualify for an award transfer when the major is not available at UNL, the student must meet University of Nebraska-Lincoln renewal criteria. An award can transfer only once, the amount of which is determined by Board of Regents policy.

Restrictions and Limitations

The commitment cannot be used for non-credit courses or non-term specific correspondence courses. Recipients cannot combine this award with any other tuition waiver from federal, state, or University sources (e.g., Employee Dependent Waiver). The commitment cannot be used for courses taken at UNO, UNK or UNMC.

The scholar commitment will be discontinued if the recipient withdraws from school or fails to register for consecutive semesters, unless an exception is granted because of extenuating circumstances.

Recipients must pay for the mandatory student service fees, laboratory fees related to particular courses, and other miscellaneous fees (for example drop/add charges, registration fees, and credit-by-examination fees).

Global Experience Programs

For global experience programs, this commitment may be applied toward UNL course credit (where tuition is charged). This commitment cannot be applied toward course credit that will be transferred from another institution. Students may apply for a variety of scholarships specific to global experience programs.

Read also: Navigating the Advanced Diploma

Disbursement of Funds

An amount of money equal to the semester tuition charges will be credited to the recipient's student account and will appear on his or her billing statement. Any student whose total scholarship and/or financial aid awards exceed his or her total institutional charges for a given semester will receive a refund for the difference from the Office of Student Account.

Donor Support

This scholar commitment may be supported through the generosity of donors.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities at UNL and UNO

Besides the Regents Scholarship, UNL and the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) offer numerous other scholarships. Here's an overview of some notable programs:

UNL Scholarships

Presidential Scholars Program: Beginning with new applicants for Fall 2024, the Presidential Scholars Program covers the full cost of attendance at the University of Nebraska for up to four years (or completion of a bachelor's degree), with three inclusive summers, plus an annual $5,000.00 stipend. Awarded to graduating high school seniors with official composite test scores of 36 ACT or 1570-1600 SAT total.
Durango Excellence Scholarship: Criteria include, (1) Nebraska residents that are US citizens or permanent residents, (2) graduating seniors of Nebraska high schools, (3) minimum composite ACT of 30-31 or SAT total 1360-1410, and (4) exceptional academic standing (minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher). Renewable for up to three additional years, or until 120 credit hours attempted (not including hours earned through dual enrollment or AP classes), or bachelor's degree is earned. Renewal subject to maintaining full-time enrollment and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
Academic Achievement Scholarship: Renewable for up to three additional years subject to maintaining full-time enrollment and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Criteria include, (1) Nebraska residents that are US citizens or permanent residents, (2) graduating seniors of Nebraska high schools, and (3) promising students with ACT composite scores of 24-27 or SAT total 1160-1290 and high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Habrock Scholarship: Renewable for up to three additional years subject to maintaining full-time enrollment and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Nebraska Career Scholarship: Renewable for up to three additional years, or until 120 credit hours attempted (not including hours earned through dual enrollment or AP classes), or bachelor's degree earned. Renewal subject to (1) maintaining full-time enrollment, (2) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, (3) pursuit of an eligible degree program, and (4) completion of Nebraska-based internship, apprenticeship, clinical position, or other program of study related field experience prior to start of fourth, or final, academic year. For consideration, submit (1) an Application for Admission by February 1st, (2) ACT/SAT scores through the February test date during senior year, and (3) a FAFSA form.
Global Laureate Scholarship: This scholarship provides $15,000 toward UNL tuition charges for the academic year for students who enroll for at least fifteen credit hours each semester. Each semester a credit of $7,500 will be credited to your student account at NEBRASKA. This is a renewable scholarship for an additional three years, if you meet the conditions of continuing eligibility as set forth below.

UNO Scholarships

Distinguished Scholarship: Criteria include, (1) Nebraska residents, (2) graduating seniors of Nebraska high schools, (3) highest academically talented high school students, and (4) admission to the University Honors Program.
Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP): Supports the urban Nebraska medical workforce by identifying and preparing qualified students to enter and succeed in medical school.
Young Scholars Program: Provides a full scholarship to selected students who participate in various activities such as study sessions, social and academic events, and service projects.
UNO Alumni Association Scholarships: Award $2,500 per year to graduating high school seniors who demonstrated leadership and involvement during high school.
Gerbracht Scholarship: Awarded to a first-year student who is the child of a full-time UNO faculty or staff member.
G. Robert Muchemore UNO Scholarship: Awarded competitively to outstanding first-year students who are graduates of Nebraska high schools that demonstrate financial need.
Scott Scholars (Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarship Program): Provides complete funding for an undergraduate college experience including tuition, room and board, and whole-person learning opportunities.
UNO Teacher Scholars Academy: A select group of high-achieving teacher candidates who embody leadership qualities, academic excellence, and a commitment to teach in Nebraska for 4 years.
NE Eagle Scout Scholarship: Provides Eagle Scouts from Nebraska and from Harrison, Mills or Pottawattamie counties in Iowa scholarship funds to attend a post-secondary institution in the state of Nebraska.
Goodrich Scholarship Program: Funds scholarships for students with significant financial need, providing a broad and meaningful experience in general education.
Phillip Schrager Scholarship Program for Student Leaders: Recognizes students who possess outstanding leadership capability, requiring documented financial need and scholastic achievement.
Davis Chambers Scholarship and the Davis Chambers Community College Transfer Scholarship: Recognize academically promising incoming students.
Faculty Senate Scholarships: Sponsored by the Faculty Senate of the University of Nebraska Omaha, ranging from $500 to $1,000 for meritorious students.
UNO Women's Club Scholarships: Offers six merit-based, partial scholarships for full-time and part-time, undergraduate and graduate students.
College of Business Administration Scholars Academy: Provides a community for ambitious and high-achieving students pursuing an undergraduate business degree, offering mentorship, special courses, and real-world experience.
S-STEM Scholarships: Support students majoring in specific programs in Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, or Physics who demonstrate both financial need and academic potential.
Noyce STEM Teacher Scholarships: Provide financial assistance, professional development, mentorship, and practical teaching experience to encourage talented individuals from STEM backgrounds to become secondary teachers.

Non-Renewable Scholarships

It's important to note that some scholarships are non-renewable. Examples include:

Alan & Karen Domina Scholarship
Bess McDonal Scholarship
Bessie Keithley Scholarship
Bill Holmes Scholarship
Brian Hiemer Scholarship
Chester & Helen Carkoski Scholarship
Clare Campbell Scholarship
Crusader Scholarship
Don & Gerri Kampe Scholarship
Edna & Jack Kiewit Scholarship
E.M. Cline Scholarship
Esther Tritsch Meisinger Scholarship
Gothard Anderson Scholarship
Katherin McClure Briden Scholarship
Kevin & Paige Yost Scholarship
John W. Bischoff Memorial Scholarship
H. Kent Augustin Scholarship
Hazel G. Scott Scholarship
Harold & Marion Larmon Scholarship
Hastings-Peroff Scholarship
Housing Credits (Resident, Non-Resident, International)
Husker Power Scholarship
Lieding Global Achievement and Lieding Emerging Leader Scholarships
Marymee Family Scholarship
N Fund-Student Scholarships
O. & G. Kammerer Scholarship
OSFA Johnny Carson Scholarship
Otto & Gladys Baumann Scholarship
Pepsi Scholarship
Phi Theta Kappa Partnership Commitment
Ronald C. Murdock Scholarship
Sarah Wilke Memorial Scholarship
Shirley Martin Scholarship
Studevant-McKee Scholarship
T.R. & M.R. Muenster Scholarship
Thomas E.

Important Application Deadlines and Procedures

Application for Admission: Apply by February 1st.
ACT/SAT Scores: Submit scores through the February test date during senior year (test scores are preferred; not required).
FAFSA Form: File the FAFSA Form by February 1st.
Supplemental Scholarship Application: Submit by February 1st to be considered for departmental, leadership and service scholarships.
Priority Date: Apply for admission by the November 1 priority date to receive your scholarship award notification on February 11.

Additional Information

Scholarship Appeals: If your scholarship is not renewed, visit the Scholarships Appeals page to learn about appeal options.
Husker Hub: Contact Husker Hub for questions about specific awards.
Scholarship Guidelines: Visit the Scholarship Guidelines page to review the requirements for your scholarship, finding the award name and the year you started your studies.

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