EducationQuest Foundation
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Reaching Your Potential
EducationQuest Foundation provides the Reaching Your Potential scholarship program for students in Nebraska who face significant obstacles to college. We encourage you to refer students to this program who not only face obstacles, but show the potential to succeed.

Eligibility | Awards | Referring Students | Referral Guidelines | Deadlines | Support Services | Disbursements | Referral Form | Contact Information

Reaching Your Potential

The EducationQuest Reaching Your Potential Scholarship Program targets Nebraskans who face significant obstacles to college but have demonstrated 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 an undergraduate degree
  • Pursuing a Title IV eligible course of study at a public or private nonprofit college or university in Nebraska
  • Completed the 2010-2011 FAFSA and eligible for a Pell Grant
  • Not in default on a student loan or owe repayment on a student grant
In addition:
  • High school students must be in the final semester of their senior year.
  • Current college students must have at least two semesters or two quarters remaining in college* or, if enrolled at a two-year college, intend to transfer to a four-year public or private nonprofit college or university in Nebraska.
  • * - Community college graduation date must be after May 31, 2011.
  • - Four-year-college graduation date must be after December 31, 2011.
  • - If college doesn't have semesters or quarters, must have 25% of program left after January 1, 2011.
    •

Awards
EducationQuest selects approximately 15 recipients each fall and spring. Scholarship amounts range from $2,400 to $6,000 annually and are renewable based on satisfactory academic performance. Scholarships for part-time students are prorated.

Referring Students
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 below. EducationQuest will mail an application to the student. The review committee will consider the applicant's goals, potential to succeed, and obstacles to education.

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


Referral Guidelines
  • EducationQuest does not limit the number of referrals, but only refer those who best fit the program's intent.
  • You may not refer family or friends.
  • You may refer employees of your organization as long as 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 and to offer help with the application process.
Deadlines
  • Submit referrals for the fall round by September 17, 2010. Referrals received after that date will be held until the spring 2011 round.
  • Postmark deadline for student applications is October 1, 2010 for the fall 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.


Referral Form

Applicant Information:

*First Name:

*Last Name:

*Address:

*City:

*State:

*ZIP:

Phone:
  
Email:

Send the application (pdf) to the student via email.
College Information:

*Name of College:

*First Name of Referring Staff Member:

*Last Name of Referring Staff Member:

*Address:

*City:

*Phone:
  
*Email:


*Required fields

   

Contact Information
If you have questions about the Reaching Your Potential scholarship, contact:

Lisa Mueller, Scholarship Coordinator
EducationQuest Foundation
P.O. Box 82552
Lincoln, NE 68501-2552

lisam@educationquest.org
800-303-3745 ext. 6606