Reaching Your Potential Scholarship Program

EducationQuest Foundation provides the Reaching Your Potential scholarship program for Nebraska students who face significant obstacles to college. We encourage you to refer students to this program who show the potential to succeed.

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to current or future college students who meet these qualifications:

  • Nebraska resident
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Referred by a Nebraska community agency or by a public or private nonprofit college or university in Nebraska
  • Seeking first certificate, diploma, associate or bachelor’s degree
  • Pursuing a Title IV eligible course of study at a public or private nonprofit college or university in Nebraska by November 2012
  • Completed the 2012-2013 FAFSA and are eligible for a Pell Grant
  • Not in default on a student loan or owe repayment on a student grant

In addition:

  • Current college students must have coursework remaining after January 1, 2013  or, if enrolled at a two-year college, intend to transfer to a four-year public or private nonprofit college or university in Nebraska.
  • If selected, funding will be made available starting August 2012.
  • High school students must be in the final semester of their senior year.

Awards

EducationQuest selects approximately 10 recipients each fall and spring. Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 to $6,000 annually and are renewable based on satisfactory academic performance. Scholarships for part-time students are prorated.

Student Referral Process

Applicants must be referred by a Nebraska community agency or by a public or private nonprofit college or university in Nebraska. Submit your referral using the Applicant Referral Form. EducationQuest will mail an application to the student. 

This scholarship is not available to the general public so please do not publicize this program on your website or bulletin board. We rely on the referral system to find students who best fit the intent of the program.

Referral Guidelines

  • Only refer candidates who best fit the program’s intent.
  • Do not refer family or friends.
  • You may refer employees of your organization if they are a client of your agency or student at your college.
  • If possible, follow up with your referrals to make sure they received an application.

Deadlines 

  • Submit referrals for the spring round by September 15, 2012. Referrals received after that date will be held until the fall 2012 round.
  • Postmark deadline for student applications is October 1, 2012 for the spring round.

Support Services

Recipients receive support services from EducationQuest, a campus mentor, and a bi-annual newsletter with college survival information and program reminders. Read about our recipients in the latest edition of Reaching Out.

Disbursements

Recipients selected in the fall receive a prorated award for the current academic year. EducationQuest will disburse funds in December.

Recipients selected in the spring will receive an award for the upcoming academic year. EducationQuest will disburse those funds in August.

EducationQuest commits funding to recipients through completion of their program. Renewal awards are disbursed in August. Verification forms are sent to the financial aid office to verify student eligibility. Students must:

  • maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your institution, and
  • be enrolled at least half-time as defined by your institution.

Scholarships can be used for all educational expenses. The Reaching Your Potential scholarship should NOT replace any financial aid already packaged and/or awarded to the student unless the student is in an overaward status. If an overaward occurs, the financial aid office should reduce the amount of the student’s loans first before reducing or eliminating any grant or other scholarship aid.

Who to contact:
If you have questions about the Reaching Your Potential scholarship, contact:

Lisa Mueller
Scholarship Coordinator
LisaM@educationquest.org
800-303-3745 ext. 6606