Scholarships and Education Grants for Single Mothers in Nebraska

Where to start

If you are overwhelmed, use this order.

For more school-aid basics, see the ASMOM scholarships guide and Nebraska grants help.

Types of education help in plain English

Main Nebraska aid paths to check

FAFSA, Pell Grants, loans, and work-study

FAFSA is the first step for most formal school aid. The form is free. It helps schools decide whether you qualify for grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans. Add all Nebraska colleges or career schools you are considering, even if you have not decided yet.

A Pell Grant is often the largest federal grant for low-income undergraduate students. For the 2026-27 award year, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395. Your exact amount depends on your Student Aid Index, cost of attendance, enrollment level, and whether you attend for a full year.

Some schools also award Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds. FSEOG can range from $100 to $4,000 for students with exceptional financial need, but it is campus-based. That means it may run out at one school while another school still has funds.

Federal Work-Study can help if your school participates. It is not a bill credit by itself. It is a job, and you earn wages as you work. Ask whether your school has work-study jobs with hours that fit child care and class times. For more basics, use ASMOM’s FAFSA guide.

Loans are different. A loan must be repaid, with interest, unless a specific federal discharge or forgiveness rule applies. Use the official federal loans page before accepting loans, and ask the school how much you can decline while still staying enrolled.

Nebraska state grants, tuition programs, and scholarships

The Nebraska Opportunity Grant is the main state need-based grant for Nebraska residents attending eligible Nebraska colleges and universities. It used to be called the Nebraska State Grant. You do not apply to ASMOM or a separate grant office for it. You file FAFSA and work with your school’s financial aid office. Some schools may have their own aid form.

For 2024-25, the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education reported $24,405,784 in Nebraska Opportunity Grant awards, 13,386 recipients, and an average grant of $1,823. That average is useful for planning, but it is not a promise of your award.

The University of Nebraska’s Nebraska Promise can cover undergraduate tuition for eligible Nebraska residents at UNK, UNL, UNMC, UNO, and NCTA. The system says students may qualify if they meet academic rules and have family AGI of $65,000 or less or are Pell-eligible. It covers tuition up to 30 credit hours per academic year after other grants and scholarships, but it does not cover fees, books, housing, food, or transportation.

The Nebraska State College Guarantee is another tuition path for Pell-eligible first-time freshmen and incoming transfer students at Chadron State, Peru State, and Wayne State. It helps fill the tuition gap after Pell and other aid. It does not cover all school costs, so ask about books, fees, housing, transportation, and meal costs before you enroll.

Nebraska Career Scholarships support high-demand programs. At community colleges, the program can provide renewable scholarships of up to $15,000 per year for eligible fields. Each community college handles its own process, so ask the school’s financial aid office and program advisor.

For private scholarships, use EducationQuest scholarships and your college’s scholarship portal. EducationQuest’s ScholarshipQuest is built for Nebraska-based scholarships. You can also ask your employer, church, union, tribal office, civic club, local foundation, and children’s school district about local awards.

Short training, GED, and workforce help

If your goal is a short job program instead of a degree, ask about Gap Assistance first at your community college. Gap is built for approved short programs that may not qualify for Pell. It can help with tuition, direct training costs, required books and equipment, and certain fees for approved programs.

WIOA may help adults, dislocated workers, and youth get training tied to jobs. Nebraska’s Department of Labor says WIOA can connect job seekers with education, training, support services, and employment help. Ask whether your program is on Nebraska’s training provider list. If it is not, WIOA may not be able to pay for it.

Nebraska SNAP Next Step Employment and Training may help some SNAP participants with job search, short-term training, work experience, education materials, transportation, and other support. Start with SNAP Next Step if you already receive SNAP and want training linked to work.

If you recently lost a job, check Nebraska’s Approved Training rules before classes start. This program does not pay tuition, but it may change work-search requirements and may allow extra unemployment weeks if approved. Ask before you enroll because timing matters.

If you need a GED or adult basic skills first, use Nebraska’s Adult Education page. The state warns that GED tests in Nebraska should be taken only through official GED testing centers or the official GED Testing Service. This matters because fake diplomas may not be accepted by employers, colleges, or the military.

Students with disabilities can also contact Nebraska VR. Nebraska VR is an employment program that helps people with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep employment. It may be helpful if a disability affects training, tools, assistive technology, accommodations, or job placement. For related ASMOM support, see Nebraska job training.

Child care while you study

Child care can make or break a school plan. Nebraska Child Care Subsidy may help families pay for child care while a parent works or attends an education or job training program, if the family meets the rules. The state updates income guidelines, and some families may have a monthly family fee.

Before you register for classes, ask DHHS and your school three questions: Does my class schedule count? Does my provider accept subsidy? How long could approval take after I upload all documents? Keep copies of your school schedule, provider information, child information, and any income proof.

Some colleges have campus child care, sliding-scale care, child care grants, or referral staff. The federal CCAMPIS program gives grants to some colleges to support low-income student parents, but help depends on whether your school has a funded program and available slots. Ask your school directly.

For more child care routes, use the ASMOM child care guide and the Nebraska-specific child care page.

Documents and information to gather

Keep these in one folder. You may not need every item, but having them ready can save days.

For a larger list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.

Local and school resources to ask about

• College financial aid office: Ask for school scholarships, state grants, FSEOG, work-study, emergency funds, and Satisfactory Academic Progress help.
• Academic advisor: Ask whether your program is Pell-eligible, Gap-eligible, or on an approved workforce list.
• Campus student support: Ask about food pantries, lactation rooms, tutoring, disability services, counseling, and student-parent groups.
• Community college workforce office: Ask about Gap Assistance, employer-paid training, apprenticeships, testing fees, tools, and uniforms.
• Tribal education office: Tribal citizens can ask about tribal scholarships and BIE-related aid. The federal BIE grants page is a starting point, but many applications go through the tribe.
• Local help search: Use the ASMOM local resources guide when school costs overlap with food, housing, utilities, child care, or transportation.