What is the NSCS Advantage Program?

The Nebraska State College System (NSCS) Advantage is a program for incoming first-time freshmen that guarantees those who receive a federal Pell Grant will pay no tuition at Peru State College provided they meet eligibility criteria. This is a renewable program available each subsequent year of enrollment at Peru State College.

The Advantage program will provide the difference between the cost of tuition and the amount of other awards, including:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Nebraska Opportunities Grant (NOG)
• Institutional waivers, foundation scholarship assistance and other awards.

To Qualify for the Program:

A student must be:

• A Nebraska resident
• A federal Pell Grant recipient
• A new first-time freshman
• Enrolled in at least 12 on-campus credit hours per semester

*The award is not available for transfer students.

FASFA and Application for Admission Deadline

June 1st yearly - For students entering in the fall semester

Credit Hour Limit:

The award is limited to a maximum of 16 credit hours per semester (summer term is excluded) at the on-campus rate.

Maintaining Your Eligibility

Continuing to receive tuition assistance through the NSCS Advantage program is simple. You just need to:

• Remain eligible for the Federal Pell Grant
• Complete the FAFSA by June 1st each year
• Enroll in at least 12 on-campus credit hours at Peru State per semester

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many Pell-eligible students are there at Peru State?
A. Nearly one-third of the students at Peru State qualify for Pell grant assistance.

Q. Does this apply to all students or just Nebraska students?
A. Students must be qualified Nebraska residents.

Q. Do students have to apply for the program?
A. No. We will review the FAFSA submitted by the students to determine the difference and apply that toward students’ bill.

Q. Is there a maximum to the benefit?
A. Yes, the award covers up to 16 credit hours per semester and only covers the on-campus rate.

Q. Does this apply to current students or just new students?
A.The program applies only to new incoming freshmen and is renewable yearly.

Q. Can the advantage waiver be renewed in subsequent years?
A. Yes, the difference will be covered for each subsequent year for new freshmen as long as the student remains a Pell Grant recipient and continues to enroll and complete in 12 on-campus credit hours.

Q. Is a high school student who earns college credit while in high school still treated as a first time freshman when he/she comes to Peru State College?
A.Yes.

Q. Is a student who earns 12 credits at a community college or other college eligible for the NSCS Advantage?
A. A student who has attended any other college is a transfer student and not considered a first-time freshmen, so he/she is not eligible for the NSCS Advantage.
 
Q. Is a student who graduates from high school and takes one course during the summer and then enrolls full-time still a first-time freshmen?
A. Yes.