Headquartered in Lincoln, EducationQuest Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska – and proud sponsor of the KnowHow2GONebraska campaign.

We fulfill our mission through free college planning services, outreach services, need-based scholarship programs, and college access grants.

EducationQuest has locations in Lincoln, Kearney and Omaha, Nebraska.

Our History | College Planning Services | Outreach Services | Scholarship Programs
College Access Grants Program | KnowHow2GONebraska | Partnerships
Vision for the Future | Board of Directors | Advisory Council | Staff Directory

Our History

We have provided free college planning services since 1986. Prior to 1998, we served Nebraska families through what was known as the Educational Planning Centers.

In 1998, EducationQuest Foundation was founded when the Nebraska Higher Education Loan Program (NEBHELP) converted from a nonprofit secondary market for student loans to a for-profit corporation providing similar services. EducationQuest used the proceeds from the sale of the loan portfolio to create a permanent endowment. It is through this endowment that we fund our programs and services.

College Planning Services

EducationQuest has college planning offices in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha where we have resources that help students and parents:

• research colleges
• explore career options
• look for scholarships
• complete and file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• learn about student loans

All services are free and most are by appointment to provide families with one-on-one assistance.

Students and parents also learn about college planning and financial aid through our statewide college fairs, educational planning programs and financial aid programs.

We create college planning handbooks, newsletters and brochures and distribute them to students and parents across the state. You may order our materials online at no charge. Some of our materials are also available in Spanish.

Outreach Services

Through our Outreach Services, we take our free college planning services and presentations to community agencies and business across the state.

Outreach services include FAFSA completion, career exploration, and college and scholarship searches. We also provide on-site presentations covering topics such as EducationQuest services; college planning and financial aid; adult learner issues; and managing college debt.

Scholarship Programs

This program provides over $1 million in scholarship funding each year to Nebraska's nonprofit public and private colleges. The colleges then award the funds to eligible students who demonstrate financial need, which may include middle-income as well as low-income students.

Students who face significant obstacles to higher education are the target of this need-based, renewable scholarship program which provides approximately $100,000 in scholarships each year. Applicants are referred to the program by statewide community agencies and colleges.

Each year, we select six Nebraska guidance counselors to attend a national or regional college admission or career conference. We pay for conference expenses, including travel. In addition, we provide a $1,000 award to each counselor for the purchase of college or career planning materials for their guidance office.

College Access Grants Program

Unveiled in FY06, EducationQuest College Access Grants provides funding for Nebraska high schools that wish to develop or enhance existing college access activities within their school. The program's goal is to increase the number of students going to college in Nebraska.

Schools that receive grant funding will provide college-going rates for graduating seniors for each year of funding.

In academic year 2006-07, EducationQuest funded college access programs at 13 high schools. Up to 15 Nebraska high schools will be added in 2008.

Funding amounts for 2006-07 depend on the high school's enrollment:

• Under 300 students – $5,000 each year for four years
• Between 300 and 1,500 students – $15,000 each year for four years
• Over 1,500 students – $25,000 each year for four years

KnowHow2GONebraska

EducationQuest was selected to sponsor the national KnowHow2GO college access campaign in Nebraska. EducationQuest launched the campaign in June 2007 and has since developed materials and coordinated activities to promote the campaign across the state.

Partnerships

Improving access to higher education is a goal shared by many Nebraska educational entities and we're proud to work with many of them in that quest. Our partners - and the programs we coordinate with them - include:

• University of Nebraska and Nebraska Department of Education - P-16 initiative that addresses college-access needs for students in preschool through college
• Nebraska Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers - College Fairs and Educational Planning Programs
• Great Plains Association of College Admissions Counselors - Lincoln College Affaire and Omaha College Affaire
• Nebraska Educational Television - Countdown to College Call-In Show
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln - College Prep Handbook for Students with Disabilities
• Nebraska Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators - High School Guidance Counselor Training
• Nebraska Department of Education and the Nebraska Department of Labor – Exploring Careers publication and the Nebraska Career Connections website
• American Council on Education, Lumina Foundation and the Ad Council – KnowHow2GONebraska

Looking ahead

Our vision for the future is to become the leading resource for college access in the state. We base our vision on our commitment to:

• serve as a statewide leader in college access through partnerships with other entities that share our mission
• seek innovative ways to use technology for college access
• assess college access needs in our state and ensure we have the knowledge and skills to address those needs with integrity and professionalism