Hide Transcript Show Transcript

TODAY THAT WILL HELP SOME MIDDLE-CLASS NEBRASKA FAMILIES. THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA ANNOUNCED IT WILL OFFER IN-STATE STUDENTS FREE TUITIO IF THEIR HOUSEHOLD MAKES $60,000 A YEAR OR LESS. KETV NEWSWATCH 7’S ANDREW OZAKI IS IN LINCOLN WI THIS STORY. >> ALL AROUND US, WE’RE BEING TOLD HOW TERRIBLE THINGS ARE. ANDREW: BUT SOME POSITIVE NEWS FROM A UNIVERSITY, WHOSE CAMPUSES SIT EMPTY, AND ITS STUDENTS HUNKERED DOWN IN REMOTE LEARNING MICHAEL: 100%, I SUPPORT THIS. ANDREW: N.U. PRESIDENT T CARTER, JR. CALLS IT "THE NEBRASKA PROMISE PROGRAM." IT MEANS FREE TUITION FOR IN-STATE UNDERGRADS WHOSE FAMILIES MAKE LESS THAN $60,000 A YEAR IN TAXABLE INCOME. THOSE STUDENTS MUST HAVE A C-PLUS GRADE AVERAGE. TED: WE THINK IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR STUDENTS O NEBRASKA, TO KEEP OUR INCREDIBLE VALUE EDUCATION AFFORDABLE ESPECIALLY FOR NEBRASKANS AT THIS TIME. ANDREW: THE UNIVERSITY WILL TAP INTO $5 MILLION OF EXISTING FUNDS. THE PROGRAM MAY HELP A ADDITIONAL STUDENTS. 1000 THE UNVERSITY ALREADY HELPS NEARLY 3000 LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. ABIGAIL: WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON, IT’S VERY COMPASSIONATE OF THE UNIVERSITY. ANDREW: EVEN SOME STUDENTS WHO DON’T QUALIFY THINK ITS A GOOD IDEA CAROLYN: I DO HAVE A FEW FRIENDS WHO ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THIS PANDEMIC. THEY’VE LOST THEIR JOBS AND THEIR INTERNSHIPS. ANDREW: BUT NOT EVERYONE AGREE THIS PERSON ON TWITTER ASKS, WHERE IS THE REWARD FOR OU KIDS? ANOTHER ASKS, WHO PAYS FOR IT? UNVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS ALREADY ANTICIPATE A $50 MILLION SHORTFALL. TED: WE’LL BE MAKING A LOT O CHOICES. SOME OF THEM WILL BE DIFFICULT, BUT IF WE DON’T HAVE STUDENTS IN OUR CLASSROOMS, NONE OF

Advertisement NU to offer free tuition to Nebraska students with family incomes of $60,000 or less The “Nebraska Promise” will take effect in fall 2020 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

As an economic crisis cripples Nebraska and the nation, higher education leaders make a bold announcement from Lincoln: starting next fall, the University of Nebraska will guarantee tuition-free college to families in the state making less than $60,000.Newly-named University President Ted Carter revealed the Nebraska Promise program Friday, citing a history of the state's university system pursuing affordability."Today we’re doubling down on that promise," said Carter in a statement. "We understand that in these uncertain times, many Nebraskans are rethinking every dollar. We want students and families to know that their University is here for them, that we want them as part of our family, and that we’re doing everything we can to keep the promise of a college education within reach, no matter what their circumstance."The bold announcement comes less than 12 months after Carter's predecessor, Hank Bounds, admitted Nebraska was lagging against competing institutions on the affordability front."We do not compete in that space," said Hank Bounds, during an exit interview with KETV NewsWatch 7's David Earl. "Period." The Nebraska Promise will take effect in fall 2020 and will guarantee that full-time resident undergraduates whose families have an adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less or who qualify for the federal Pell Grant can attend any NU campus and pay no tuition, the university explained in a statement.It will apply to returning, transfer and new students, both on-campus and online, and requires no separate application beyond the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), according to a news release."Accessibility for the people of Nebraska has been core to the mission of our University for more than 150 years," Carter said in announcing the Nebraska Promise at today’s Board of Regents meeting. The University projects an additional 1,000 students will benefit from the expanded tuition assistance program."The Nebraska Promise will help more of our young people afford college, graduate on time and get a great-paying job here in our state," said Gov. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., in a statement. "I’m pleased to see the University taking this important step to keep costs down for Nebraskans, especially at a time when all of us are tightening our belts."Detailed information on the program is available at www.nebraska.edu/nebraska-promise.