Nevada Promise Scholarship to cover nearly all costs for high school seniors attending community college in 2018
Nevada high school seniors are encouraged to apply no later than Oct. 31, 2017 for the Nevada Promise Scholarship, a new financial aid program for students who will be attending any of the state’s four community colleges in fall 2018.
Established by the Nevada Legislature earlier this year, the Nevada Promise Scholarship provides last-dollar funding to eligible students. The scholarship will cover the cost of the registration fee and mandatory fees (tuition is not charged to residents of Nevada) not covered by other gift aid. While the scholarship does not cover some smaller fees, the intent of the program is to cover nearly all of the costs of going to a community college in Nevada.
In addition, students will be required to meet with a mentor who will help them on their journey into and through college. Students must also complete 20 hours of community service by the end of April in order to remain eligible.
“College is accessible to all graduating high school seniors in the class of 2018 thanks to this new program,” said Dr. Thom Reilly, chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. “The Nevada Promise Scholarship not only increases student access to a college education, the mentoring and community service components will help these young women and men succeed in college and in life.”
Eligible students are encouraged to complete their application as soon as possible ( http://bit.ly/nshe-nv-promise-scholarship-app) but no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2017 for the fall 2018 award year. The Nevada Promise Scholarship is the state’s newest effort to help community college students. Nevada also has the merit-based Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship and the recently launched needs-based Silver State Opportunity Grant.
To be eligible for the Nevada Promise Scholarship, a student must:
- Be classified as a Nevada resident for tuition purposes by the institution where they plan to receive the NV Promise Scholarship.
- Before the beginning of the fall 2018 semester have earned one of the following during the 2017-2018 academic year:
- High school diploma from a public or private high school located in Nevada;
- High school diploma from a public high school in a county of another state that borders Nevada and accepts Nevada residents; or
- General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or equivalent document.
- Be less than 20 years of age when initially receiving the scholarship.
- Not have earned a prior associate or bachelor’s degree.
- Not be in default on any federal student loan.
- Not owe a refund to any federal student aid program.
- Meet all program deadlines, including:
- Complete the Nevada Promise Application (http://bit.ly/nshe-nv-promise-scholarship-app) no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2017 for the fall 2018 award year.
- Attend at least one training meeting offered by the college no later than December 30, 2017.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than April 1, 2018, and subsequently receive an Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- No later than April 30, 2018:
- Meet at least once with their mentor (assigned by the college);
- Complete at least 20 hours of eligible community service; and
- Attend a second training meeting offered by the college.
- Enroll in a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in an associate degree program, a bachelor’s degree program or a certificate of achievement program for each semester of the school year immediately following the school year in which the student graduates from high school.
Eligible students should contact one of the four community colleges below for more information:
