College Access Grants

EducationQuest’s College Access Grants program provides funding to Nebraska high schools to increase the high school’s college-going rate. The awards range from $2,500 to $20,000, based on the size of the high school. Funding is awarded through a competitive application process.

High schools are funded for four years with a goal to increase the high school’s college-going rate by 10 percentage points.

College Access Grants are awarded every two years. Forty Nebraska high schools have received grants since the program began in 2006.

High schools use grant funds for college access activities, including college visits, financial aid presentations, scholarship searches, career exploration as it relates to college access, ACT and SAT test preparation, and completion of college applications. The grant program promotes involvement from families and businesses to help ensure success.

Interested in applying for an EducationQuest College Access Grant?

High schools interested in applying must have a representative attend EducationQuest’s College Access Symposium on March 27, 2012. Recipient high schools will be selected during the summer following the Symposium.

All Nebraska public and private high schools are eligible to apply provided the high school is approved or accredited to issue a high school diploma, as recognized by the State of Nebraska.

High schools that have received a grant previously must wait two years from the last year of funding to reapply. High schools selected in 2006 can reapply in 2012.

Application requirements and deadlines

Funding Amounts

The high school’s 9th through 12th grade student population will be used to determine the funding amount and target audience size. Funding will be provided for four years. While all students are eligible to participate, the high school is required to select a target audience of students to participate in the program activities. The target audience is comprised of students, in grades 9 through 12, who are less likely to go to college without participating in a college access program.

Number of Students

Annual Funding Amount

Number of Awards

Minimum Student Target Population
125 or less $2,500 Up to 8 100%
126 to 300 $5,000 TBD* 20%
301 to 600 $7,500 TBD* 15%
601 to 1,300 $10,000 TBD* 10%
1,301 and up $20,000 Up to 4 10%

 *Number of awards will be determined based on the number of applications received in each category 

Required Activities

High schools selected to receive a College Access Grant have the flexibility to develop or enhance college access programs appropriate for their students but must include specific activities that have been shown to increase access to higher education. These activities include:

  • Visiting a college campus
  • Attending a Financial Aid Presentation
  • Completing the FAFSA (or Estimator)
  • Conducting a scholarship search (and apply)
  • Applying to at least one college
  • Incorporating families in one college access event each year
  • Developing community partnerships
  • Attending a College Fair or Educational Planning Program
  • Providing information about advanced placement and/or dual enrollment courses
  • Taking the ACT, SAT, or equivalent
  • Securing a 10% community match

While not required, high schools are encouraged to provide:

  • PSAT, PLAN, or equivalent
  • Study and/or time-management skills 

Wondering what type of college access activities to include? Review EducationQuest’s College Access Nebraska publication for an overview of college access activities coordinated by College Access Grant recipients across the state.

Reporting Requirements for Grant-Funded Schools

Schools selected to receive College Access Grants must adhere to reporting requirements:

Who to contact:

If you have questions about the College Access Grants program, contact:

Carlene Fuss
Grants Coordinator
CarleneF@educationquest.org
800-303-3745, ext. 6906