The University of Nebraska will expand the number of full scholarships it provides to top students in the state in the coming year.
The Presidential Scholars program, which grants students who score a perfect 36 on the ACT college-entrance exam free tuition and room and board, as well as a $5,000 stipend, will open to other high-performing scholars next year.
Beginning in 2025-26, Nebraska students who score a 36 on the ACT or the SAT equivalent will automatically qualify for the Presidential Scholars program, while students with scores ranging from 32 to 35 will also be considered.
Those students must go through a "highly competitive application process" in order to qualify for the program.
A total of 50 spots will be reserved for Presidential Scholars, meaning that if 25 students with perfect ACT scores opt for one of NU's campuses in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney, then another 25 students chosen through the selection process will round out the cohort.
People are also reading…
"Our state's future will be bright when our most driven and passionate young people attend college here in Nebraska," said NU President Jeff Gold in a news release. "This is an investment in our state that underscores two deeply ingrained Nebraska values: hard work and excellence at the highest level."
The Presidential Scholars program was announced by former interim NU President Chris Kabourek in February in partnership with Gov. Jim Pillen. Kabourek described the program as a desire to recruit top scholars to NU similar to how the university recruits top athletes.
This fall, a total of 17 Nebraska students were welcomed into the inaugural cohort of Presidential Scholars, accounting for 60% of the high school seniors across the state who scored a 36 on the ACT.
Twenty-eight high school seniors in Nebraska who received a 36 on the ACT this year have applied to and been accepted by NU campuses for the 2025-26 academic year.
Students with ACT scores of 32 to 35 are welcome to apply to the Presidential Scholars program immediately at
If those students are not selected for the Presidential Scholar program, they can still receive a Regents Scholarship, which covers tuition for high performers.
Pillen, a former member of the NU Board of Regents, said the program was part of an effort to keep Nebraska kids in the state after high school.
"The Presidential Scholarship program provides that pathway," he said. "When our brightest make the commitment to attend an institution of higher learning in Nebraska, then it is more likely they will stay."
Affordable housing complex fills up; Zoo announces red panda cubs; LPS enrollment grows.
Top Journal Star photos for November 2024
Iris Gonnerman, 8 (from right), her brother Oliver, 6, and cousin Noreen Milana, 9, wave flags while watching Veterans Parade outside the state Capitol on Sunday.
Nebraska's Connor Essegian scores against Bethune-Cookma on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Lutheran players embrace one another as threy celebrate defeating Thayer Central in four sets to win the Class C-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Covered by a canopy of changing leaves, a car cruises along A street in a neighborhood north of Downtown Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Mild temperatures continue into the mid weeks of November. Wednesday calls for a chance of rain showers before noon with gusty winds. Most days this week are expected to be accompanied by mostly sunny skies and consistent breezes.
Norris' Anna Jelinek (left) lifts the the Class B championship trophy alongside Rya Borer on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Superior players celebrate their three set win over EMF during the Class D-1 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Reflected in a ceiling beam, Leyton takes on Shelton in the first set of the Class D-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Omaha Skutt's Nicole Ott (left) and Addison West react after a point in the second set during a Class B semifinal match Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Hasan Khalil, owner of Golden Scissors, trims the beard of Vitaliy Martynyuk on Friday at his barbershop in Lincoln.
Southwest fans Kylea Stritt (from left), Peg Rice, and Stacey Wilson cheer on their team as the "horsemen" during a Class D-1 first-round match Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Millard West players dogpile on the floor after defeating Lincoln Southwest in five set match during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Southwest's Shelby Harding dives to save the ball from hitting the ground in the first set during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Second graders Eli Gonzalez (left) and Shrutoshome Datta look at drawings that first and second grade students made at the Monster Jam Art Show on Wednesday at Elliott Elementary School. The elementary school students made drawings of monsters to be turned into different types of art by Lincoln High School students.
Norris players celebrate a point against Lincoln Pius X in a Class B state volleyball tournament match, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Katie Goeling (left) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center.
Nebraska's Rollie Worster (24) shoots a layup while defended by Texas Rio Grande Valley's Marshal Destremau (left) and Trey Miller (right) during the first half of the game on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) autographs a poster for Freeman Public Schools student Godwil Muthiani, 12 (center), after the game against UNO on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Muthiani's sign says, "#3 Allison Weinder is the GOAT! Sorry I'm only 12."
Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule speaks to an official after a targeting call on Nebraska during the first quarter of the game against UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. The call was overturned after review.
Nebraska's Dante Dowdell scores against UCLA in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Cadet Elena Burgwald (left) and Cadet Mason Beck look up as a B-1B Lancer flies over Memorial Stadium before the UCLA game against Nebraska on Saturday.
UCLA's K.J. Wallace (7) defends Nebraska's Jacory Barney (17) as he makes a diving 40-yard catch in the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Lincoln Southeast quarterback Tre Bollen (left) and Tate Sandman react after losing a Class A football playoff game against Millard North on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Seacrest Field. Millard North won 10-3.
After the field clears, Norris' Jarrett Behrends (17) kicks his helmet after the Titans fell to Waverly 16-17 in a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
A line of people waiting to vote has been normal at the Lancaster County Election Commission Office at 601 N. 46th St., as it was Friday afternoon. The office will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to allow voters to cast an early ballot. If they wait until Election Day, they will need to go to their precinct or drop off their ballots at one of five drop boxes across the city. For more stories about about Tuesday's election, go to .
Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS
Chris Dunker
Higher education/statehouse reporter
