Accelerated program options encourage highly qualified UNL undergraduate students to continue their graduate or professional studies at Nebraska. This enables students to connect advanced undergraduate coursework with graduate or professional coursework to accelerate the completion of a graduate or professional degree while completing an undergraduate degree. More information about accelerated master's program guidelines can be found at unl.edu/gradstudies/policies/accelerated-masters-program-guidelines.
Financial Aid Implications for Accelerated Graduate/Professional Programs
For financial aid eligibility, a student must be considered either an undergraduate student or a graduate/professional student for financial aid purposes. This status also determines the types and amounts of financial aid for which a student may qualify. Federal rules define a graduate or professional student for financial aid purposes as one who is enrolled in a program or course above the baccalaureate level or in a professional program and has completed the equivalent of at least three academic years of full-time study, either prior to entering the program or as part of the program itself. A student who is receiving financial aid as an undergraduate student cannot be considered a graduate/professional student.
Accelerated Programs and Financial Aid at Nebraska
- Students may be considered to be an undergraduate student for financial aid purposes if they are taking graduate or professional coursework but have not yet been admitted to a graduate or professional program.
- Students are considered to be at graduate/professional level for financial aid purposes if they are admitted to a degree-seeking graduate or professional program and have graduate or professional enrollment.
Note: A student's financial aid status is term specific, so status can be different by fall, spring, or summer.
Financial Aid Eligibility by Academic Career
- Undergraduate Financial Aid Status
May receive aid as an undergraduate student. See our disbursement requirements page regarding enrollment requirements for disbursement.
Student loans are available at the undergraduate level loan limits. A dependent student may also have a parent borrow a Parent PLUS loan or private loan.
- Graduate/Professional Architecture Financial Aid Status
Cannot receive undergraduate level student scholarships, grants, or federal loans. See our disbursement requirements page regarding enrollment requirements for disbursement.
Student loans are available at increased graduate level loan limits. A graduate/professional student may also apply for a Graduate PLUS loan or private loan.
- Law Student Financial Aid Status
Cannot receive undergraduate level student scholarships, grants, or federal loans. See our disbursement requirements page regarding enrollment requirements for disbursement.
Student loans are available at increased graduate level loan limits. A graduate/professional student may also apply for a Graduate PLUS loan or private loan.