Nearly $15 million awarded to needy students through Nebraska Opportunity Grant

The Coordinating Commission awarded nearly $15 million to more than 15,000 needy college students last year as part of the Nebraska Opportunity Grant program.

The state of Nebraska provides the Nebraska Opportunity Grant – formerly the Nebraska State Grant – to students who meet certain qualifications.  Qualifications include being a Nebraska resident, attending a Nebraska postsecondary institution, and having a minimum Expected Family Income (EFC) as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Coordinating Commission administers the grant program.

Some Nebraska Opportunity Grant numbers from the 2010-11 academic year:

• $14,947,663 awarded
• 15,556 students received a grant
• Average grant: $960.89

Click here for a more detailed breakdown of NebraskaOpportunity Grant funding and awards for the 2010-11 year.

ACE Plus program kicks off second academic cycle

The Coordinating Commission is now accepting applications for the 2012 ACE Plus Scholarship Program. ACE Plus scholarships are available to full-time, first-year and second-year college students who received an Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship in high school.

The ACE Plus Scholarship was developed by the Coordinating Commission to encourage former ACE students to attend college full time. It’s funded by the federal College Access Challenge Grant.

The ACE Plus program first awarded scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year. In that first year:

• 317 scholarships were awarded.
• 234 went to first-year students; 83 to second-year students.
• 279 (88%) of the recipients are attending Nebraska colleges and universities.
• 22% were awarded to minority students.

More information on ACE Plus, as well as an application, is available on the Commission’s website. Also, be sure to check out the new ACE Plus Facebook page. Click “like” and you’ll be sure to receive regular updates on the program.

CCPE honors longtime Commissioner Dick Davis

Davis

The Coordinating Commission recently honored longtime Commissioner Dr. Dick C.E. Davis of Omaha, who served on the Commission since its inception, in 1991, until January 2012.

At the Commission’s March 1 meeting, current Chair Dr. Ron Hunter of Hay Springs read a resolution – unanimously approved by the full Commission – that conferred on Davis the title of “Honorable Commissioner Emeritus.” It’s the first time the Coordinating Commission has conferred that title. Later, Commission staff and Commissioners – both past and present – celebrated Davis and his more than 20 years of service at a luncheon at the Nebraska Club in downtown Lincoln.

Davis served in numerous leadership roles for the Commission, including many years as Chair of the Budget, Construction and Financial Aid Committee. Davis is known statewide as a fierce advocate for education access, particularly for low-income and minority students. He spearheaded the creation of the Davis-Chambers Scholarship, which recognizes academically promising students from diverse backgrounds attending Nebraska colleges and universities. Most recently, Davis established the “Careers for Kids” initiative, which helps prepare students for academic, career and college success by providing them the resources and support necessary to achieve their postsecondary goals.

Davis is CEO of Davis Companies, a family business that for more than 40 years has provided insurance, bonding and consultation to corporate clients. Davis earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln – where he also was an All-Big-Eight fullback on the football team – his master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and his doctorate in Education from UNL.

Hill testifies on numerous higher-ed bills

Coordinating Commission Executive Director Marshall Hill recently testified on numerous bills under consideration by the Legislature.

• LB 946 – The Community College Aid Act, this bill would maintain the state’s current community college funding structure, wherein
  each community college receives a specified amount of the allocated $87.7 million, with any additional funds distributed using two
  new methods. This would take effect in 2013‐14. Hill testified neutral.
• LB 1066, 1055, 1065 and 1089 – These bills would appropriate state funds for four different University of Nebraska construction projects, collectively totaling more than $90 million. Hill testified in favor of LB 1065 (the Lincoln nursing facility), and neutral for the other three.
• LB 1019 – This bill would appropriate more than $20 million in state funds for the renovation of athletic facilities at Chadron State College and Peru State College. Hill testified neutral.
• LB 1144 – This would allow for the creation and funding of state-recognized “career academies.” Hill’s testimony was neutral.
• LB 1034 – This bill would create the College Choice Grant Program, which would award funds to only Nebraska students attending the state’s private, non-profit postsecondary institutions. Hill testified neutral.
• LB 1104 – This makes technical changes to the Postsecondary Institution Act, which was enacted in 2011. Hill testified in favor of this bill.

Commission approves dual enrollment/career academy report

The Coordinating Commission at its Dec. 8 meeting approved the LB 637 Dual Enrollment and Career Academy Study Report.

LB 637 directed the commission to study the need for uniform policies and practices regarding dual-enrollment courses and career academies in Nebraska, as well as to examine other opportunities for Nebraska high-school students to earn college credit, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.

The commission’s final report examines Nebraska and national practice in these areas, then makes 27 recommendations for Nebraska moving forward.

Full Commission to consider dual enrollment/career academy report

The Coordinating Commission at its Dec. 8 meeting will vote on adopting the LB 637 Dual Enrollment and Career Academy Report, produced by Commission staff. The Commission’s Planning and Public Information Committee has already reviewed the report and will recommend approval to the full Commission.

The report is available for review on the Commission’s website, as is more information about LB 637 and the dual enrollment/career academy study.

Thursday’s Commission meeting is open to the public and begins at 8:30 a.m., in room 1113 of the State Capitol. A full agenda is available online.

Dual enrollment/career academy advisory committee to meet for final time

The Coordinating Commission this Wednesday will hold the last scheduled meeting of the advisory committee it formed to gather input on a study of dual enrollment and career academies in Nebraska.

The committee will meet 9-11:30 a.m., at the Nebraska Council of School Administrators building, 455 S. 11th St., Suite A, in Lincoln.

In May 2011, Gov. Dave Heineman signed into law LB 637, part of which calls on the Coordinating Commission to conduct a study on the need for uniform policies and practices regarding dual-enrollment courses and career academies in Nebraska. The legislation directs the Coordinating Commission to collaborate with numerous stakeholders in completing this study. To help foster this collaboration, the Coordinating Commission formed a 15-member Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from each of the stakeholder groups. The committee’s first two meetings were in August and October.

The purpose of Wednesday’s meeting is to get committee input on a first draft of the study’s report, which is due to the Legislature no later than Dec. 15. More information about the study is available on the Coordinating Commission’s website.