🔍 Discover 🏆 LinkedIn Top 50 📚 Saved Schools 🗺️ Trip Planner ❓ Help Log In
← Back to University of Nebraska-Lincoln

💰 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
12
Automatic
9
In-State Awards
$8,000-$8,500/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$15,000-$20,000/yr
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
3.5 GPA / 24 ACT

University of Nebraska-Lincoln awards merit scholarships automatically on GPA and test scores, with no separate application. Awards run $15,000-$20,000/yr for out-of-state students. Eligibility starts at 3.5 GPA / 24 ACT. Against tuition of $26,400, students receiving the largest award pay about $6,400 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Tuition & fees
$26,400
Largest annual award
$20,000
=
Students receiving it pay about
$6,400/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $14,120), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on University of Nebraska-Lincoln's website
Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at University of Nebraska-Lincoln — no separate application

9 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

$15,000 award
Award
$15,000/yr out-of-state
Out-of-State Requirements
ACT 24+
**Award:** Not including summers and based on enrollment in 15 credits per fall/spring semester (prorated for enrollment in fewer than 15 credit hours per semester). | Award | Review Basis | | **$20,000** toward University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate tuition for the academic year ($10,000/semester) for up to four years. | Extraordinary grade point average or in combination with an outstanding class rank and/or test score of 34 ACT (or SAT equivalent), with a subjective final academic review. | | **$15,000** toward University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate tuition for the academic year ($7,500/semester) for up to four years. | High grade point average or in combination with a high class rank and/or test score of 24 ACT (or SAT equivalent), with a subjective final academic review.
Eligibility: Awarded to out-of-state students who have demonstrated high academic potential to offset the cost of out-of-state tuition.
How to apply: ["enrollment based on 15 credits per fall/spring semester (prorated if fewer)", "selection by holistic review (GPA, class rank, test score considered)"]
Source ↗
$20,000 award
Award
$20,000/yr out-of-state
Out-of-State Requirements
ACT 34+
**Award:** Not including summers and based on enrollment in 15 credits per fall/spring semester (prorated for enrollment in fewer than 15 credit hours per semester). | Award | Review Basis | | **$20,000** toward University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate tuition for the academic year ($10,000/semester) for up to four years. | Extraordinary grade point average or in combination with an outstanding class rank and/or test score of 34 ACT (or SAT equivalent), with a subjective final academic review. | | **$15,000** toward University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate tuition for the academic year ($7,500/semester) for up to four years. | High grade point average or in combination with a high class rank and/or test score of 24 ACT (or SAT equivalent), with a subjective final academic review.
Eligibility: Awarded to out-of-state students who have demonstrated high academic potential to offset the cost of out-of-state tuition.
How to apply: ["enrollment based on 15 credits per fall/spring semester (prorated if fewer)", "selection by holistic review (GPA, class rank, test score considered)"]
Source ↗
Chancellor's Tuition Scholarship (Out-of-State) - award
Out-of-State Requirements
GPA 3.5+ • ACT 28+
Recipients are awarded full non-resident portion of tuition plus $4,000 per year for up to four years.
Eligibility: Awarded to out-of-state students of academic distinction and finalists in nationally recognized scholar competitions, such as the National Merit and National Recognition programs (First-Generation or Rural and Small Town Recognition Awards). National Merit finalists must select the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as their first-choice school through the National Merit Corporation. Nationally recognized finalists must score a minimum of 28 on the ACT (or SAT equivalent) and have a minimum 3.500 GPA.
How to apply: ["must be out-of-state (residency requirement)", "national recognition or finalist in national competitions OR holistic review", "must select UNL as first-choice for National Merit finalists", "maintain 3.500 cumulative GPA for renewability"]
📋 maintain 3.500 cumulative GPA for renewability Source ↗
Global Delegate Scholarship - annual award
This scholarship provides $4,000 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 $2,000 will be credited to your student account at NEBRASKA.
Eligibility: Recipients must remain nonresidents of Nebraska. Any individual who establishes residency for the purpose of paying in-state tuition rates will automatically forfeit the Global Delegate Scholarship.
How to apply: ["remain nonresident of Nebraska", "enroll full-time (at least 12 UNL credit hours) each semester; 15 credits for full award", "successful completion of 24 UNL credit hours each academic year for renewal", "no need to reapply each year; awards reviewed automatically"]
📋 Renewal: 2.0 GPA, 24 credits Source ↗
Nebraska Career Scholarship - admissions listing
Award
$8,000/yr in-state
The Nebraska Career Scholarship is $8,500 minimum per year ($4,250 per semester) and is available to students who are Nebraska residents and pursuing certain majors in high-demand fields.
Eligibility: This is a merit-based award that is given to students of high-academic potential, 28 ACT or higher is considered competitive for this award. The commitment is renewable for up to four years, contingent upon continued funding from the state of Nebraska, provided specific guidelines are followed. Students are automatically considered after they are admitted (see the website for more guidance).
How to apply: ["Nebraska residency", "pursuing eligible majors in high-demand fields", "automatic consideration after admission", "renewable contingent upon funding and guidelines"]
📋 renewable contingent upon funding and guidelines Source ↗
Nebraska Career Scholarship - engineering listing
Award
$8,500/yr in-state
The Nebraska Career Scholarship is $8,500 minimum per year ($4,250 per semester) and is available to students who are Nebraska residents and pursuing certain majors in high-demand fields.
Eligibility: This is a merit-based award that is given to students of high-academic potential, 28 ACT or higher is considered competitive for this award. The commitment is renewable for up to four years, contingent upon continued funding from the state of Nebraska, provided specific guidelines are followed. Students are automatically considered after they are admitted (see the website for more guidance).
How to apply: ["Nebraska residency", "pursuing eligible majors in high-demand fields", "automatic consideration after admission", "renewable contingent upon funding and guidelines"]
📋 renewable contingent upon funding and guidelines Source ↗
President's Scholarship - awards summary
**Award:** Full cost of attendance for up to four years, plus an annual $5,000
How to apply: ["apply for admission (considered upon admission)", "to maximize consideration, submit supplemental Scholarship Application (recommended)"]
Source ↗
Regents Scholar - full tuition
**Award:** Full Tuition
How to apply: ["considered upon admission with GPA and ACT/SAT provided", "to maximize consideration, submit supplemental Scholarship Application (recommended)"]
Source ↗
Regents Scholar Tuition Commitment - full tuition
**Award:** Full Tuition
How to apply: ["considered upon admission with GPA and ACT/SAT provided"]
Source ↗

Other scholarships at University of Nebraska-Lincoln (3)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Chancellor's Scholarship - full tuition benefit
The Chancellor's Scholarship covers the cost of UNL undergraduate tuition for up to four academic years, with three inclusive summers, or the completion of a bachelors degree, whichever comes first.
How to apply: ["maintain cumulative grade point average of 3.500 or rank in upper 25% of relevant class for renewal", "enroll full-time (at least 12 UNL credit hours) each semester", "successfully complete 24 UNL credit hours each academic year"]
Source ↗
Global Ambassador Scholarship - award
**Award:** Up to $10,000/year (toward tuition)
Eligibility: First-Year, International, Transfer
Source ↗
Husker Salute Pledge - nonresident waiver
**Award:** Waiver of Nonresident Portion of Tuition (estimated at $19,230)
Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Regular Decision
Rolling

Common questions about University of Nebraska-Lincoln scholarships

How much merit aid does University of Nebraska-Lincoln give?

Published awards range $15,000-$20,000/yr. University of Nebraska-Lincoln lists 12 merit scholarships in total.

What GPA or test scores do you need for a scholarship at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

The lowest published threshold across automatic awards is 3.5 GPA / 24 ACT. Individual scholarships set their own cutoffs.

Does University of Nebraska-Lincoln give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $15,000-$20,000/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

Not a full ride. The largest published award covers about 76% of tuition.

Do you have to apply separately for merit scholarships at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

3 of the published awards are granted automatically on your admission application, with no separate scholarship application.

When is the scholarship deadline at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is Rolling. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

💡 Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with University of Nebraska-Lincoln's financial aid office before making decisions — or check their scholarship page.

More on University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Other NE schools with automatic merit scholarships