How to Apply

The 2024-25 FAFSA will open in December 2023

(learn more at financialaid.unl.edu/fafsa-simplification)

Applying for Need-Based Financial Aid

Create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

If you are a dependent student, both you and your parent will each need to obtain an FSA ID to apply for federal aid.

The FSA ID process consists of the f0llowing steps:

  1. Create your log-in information at studentaid.gov. Provide a unique username and a password.
  2. Enter your personal and profile information. Provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN).
  3. Enter your contact information, including your email address and mobile phone number and authorize multi-factor authentication.
  4. Complete the challenge questions and answers for security purposes in case you lose your username or password.
  5. Confirm and verify your information. Agree to the terms and conditions.
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

After creating your FSA ID, you will need to complete your FAFSA at fafsa.gov.

Receiving Your FAFSA Submission Summary

After you file a FAFSA, you will receive an email from the U.S. Department of Education with a link to your FAFSA Submission Summary. The summary will list the information you completed on the FAFSA and provide you with basic eligibility information to be confirmed by Nebraska.

Apply for First-Year Academic Scholarships

Apply for Admissions at the University of Nebraska

Apply to Nebraska with your cumulative high school GPA and ACT/SAT score (test scores are preferred; not required) to be considered for academic scholarships. Complete your application for admission by November 1 to receive your scholarship award notification on February 1.

Upload your current high school transcript in MyRED. We will offer you the best academic scholarship award possible based on either your GPA alone or the combination of your GPA and highest composite ACT/SAT score.

View available scholarships for incoming first-year students on the Office of Admissions website at admissions.unl.edu/cost/scholarships.


Apply for diversity scholarships through the Diversity Enhancement Application in MyRED due February 1.

Apply for Departmental, Leadership, and Diversity Scholarships

New incoming students (first-year and transfer) can maximize your consideration for departmental as well as leadership and service scholarships by completing the supplemental Scholarship Application, which opens in October in MyRED under the financial aid tab.

Students currently enrolled at Nebraska can also apply for departmental scholarships through the Scholarship Application.

The Scholarship Application is what the academic colleges and departments at Nebraska use to determine awards for incoming or continuing first-year or transfer students. These scholarships are awarded based on holistic review, meaning academic performance may be just one of many aspects of consideration.

The deadline to complete the Scholarship Application is February 1. Once you have submitted your application, you can return and update your information at any time prior to the deadline.

Complete the Scholarship Application

Next Steps

  • Monitor your email and To Do List on MyRED regularly.
    • Our office will notify you by email and/or via MyRED if we need to gather documentation for your scholarship or financial aid file. Some examples include scholarships that require additional documents and the U.S. Department of Education requires that we verify information on some student's FAFSAs with tax documents.
  • Receive your scholarship offer and financial aid offer, then Accept or Decline Awards in MyRED.
  • Enroll in Direct Deposit through the Office of Student Accounts, Complete Master Promissory Notes (MPN) & Entrance Loan Counseling (ELC), if applicable, your parent can complete a Parent PLUS Loan Application, if needed, you can search and apply for jobs, and receive funds and pay charges
  • Continue to Search for Additional Scholarships