What is the NSCS Advantage Program?

The Nebraska State College System (NSCS) Advantage is a program that guarantees first-time freshmen students who qualify for a federal Pell Grant will pay no tuition at Peru State College for the 2009-2010 academic year.

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

• Federal Pell Grant
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Nebraska Scholarship Grant (NSG)
• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
• 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 for the 2009-2010 academic year
• 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 01, 2009 - For students entering in the fall of 2009

Credit Hour Limit:

The award is limited to a maximum of 16 credit hours per semester (Fall and Spring semesters only). Additional limitations are in place for the award of any remissions for online courses taken in addition to the 12 on-campus credit hours.

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 April 1 of every 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’ bills.

Q. Is there a maximum to the benefit?
A. Yes, the award covers up to 16 credit hours per semester.

Q. Does this apply to current students or just new students?
A.The program applies only to new incoming freshmen for the 2009-10 academic year.

Q. Can the advantage waiver be renewed in subsequent years?
A. Yes, the difference will be covered for each subsequent year beginning in fall 2009 for new freshmen as long as the student remains a Pell Grant recipient and continues to enroll 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.

Q. What about the student who failed all credits attempted somewhere else?
A.  These students are considered transfer students and not eligible for the NSCS Advantage.