Why does out-of-state cost more at UNO?
Like most public universities, UNO charges higher tuition to non-residents because Nebraska residents support the system through state taxes. The good news is UNO has a major regional discount option through the Omaha Urban Rate (OUR) for students from specific states.

What’s included in “direct/billed” costs vs. the full cost of attendance?
Direct/billed costs are the charges you typically pay straight to UNO: tuition/mandatory fees and (if living on campus) housing & meals. The full cost of attendance also includes indirect costs like books, transportation, and personal expenses.

How does the Omaha Urban Rate (OUR) actually help?
OUR is a regional tuition discount for residents of 15 states (CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, OH, SD, WI, WY). It effectively waives UNO’s traditional out-of-state sticker price (often cited around $24,000+) and brings tuition down to the $13,502 range shown above — a difference of more than $11,000 per year for many non-resident families.

Can scholarships stack with the OUR discount?
Yes—OUR is a tuition-rate program, and scholarships are separate sources of aid. Families should still read each scholarship’s award rules, because some awards may have residency requirements (Nebraska-only) or program/major restrictions.

My student is Nebraska resident — what are the biggest “cost changers” to know about?
Two major Nebraska-resident programs to be aware of are Nebraska Promise (need-based tuition coverage for qualifying families) and the NU System Presidential Scholars Program (full cost of attendance + stipend for the highest test-score qualifiers). These can dramatically change what your family actually pays.

Is housing the same price for in-state and out-of-state students?
In the baseline figures above, housing & meals are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The main difference is the tuition/fee line.

Is February 1 really that important?
Yes. For first-year students, February 1 is the priority date UNO uses to evaluate most automatic merit awards. Students who apply later may still be admitted, but scholarship consideration can be reduced or unavailable.

Do I need to submit test scores if UNO is test-optional?
Test scores are optional for admission, but many automatic scholarships still rely on ACT or SAT results. Submitting strong scores can significantly increase merit eligibility.

Can test scores from the February ACT or SAT still count?
Yes. UNO allows scores from the February test date of senior year to be used for automatic merit, as long as they are sent to the admissions office by the spring score deadline.

Does Nebraska Promise replace other scholarships?
Nebraska Promise covers tuition only. Students may still receive additional scholarships that help cover housing, fees, and other expenses.

Do automatic scholarships stack with the Omaha Urban Rate (OUR)?
Often yes. OUR is a tuition-rate program, not a scholarship. However, final stacking rules depend on the specific award, so families should always review the official aid offer carefully.

What makes these scholarships “competitive” instead of automatic?
Automatic scholarships are usually triggered by your admission file (and sometimes a priority date). Competitive scholarships have limited spots, require a separate application, or involve a selection process (leadership review, major/program fit, or need + rank considerations).

Do I still need to apply to UNO by February 1?
Yes. For many UNO scholarship opportunities, Feb 1 is the key priority date. Even if your student is applying to a competitive program, don’t wait—early admission gives you more time to complete scholarship steps and submit test scores or documents on time.

What’s the biggest “gotcha” on this page?
Scott Scholars timing. Families often assume everything follows the Feb 1 scholarship priority date. Scott Scholars typically closes much earlier (December or early January), so STEM applicants should treat that as a separate early deadline.

Can out-of-state students win these?
Some can (especially program-based scholarships like Scott Scholars and leadership awards), but certain awards—like the Regents Scholarship—are Nebraska resident only. Always check residency and major restrictions before spending time on extra applications.

Do competitive awards stack with automatic scholarships or the Omaha Urban Rate (OUR)?
Often yes, but it depends on award terms. OUR is a tuition-rate program (not a scholarship), while scholarships are aid. Some competitive awards may replace or reduce other institutional aid rather than stack on top, so the safest approach is: compare your final aid offer line-by-line and confirm terms in the official listing.

Why are these called “hidden gems”?
Because they are not automatically awarded and often live on department or program pages rather than the main admissions site. Families who only look at automatic merit often miss them.

Can these scholarships stack with automatic merit?
Often yes — but not always. Program-based awards like Goodrich replace tuition funding and cannot be combined with Regents or Academic Achievement, while others may stack depending on total aid limits.

Do I need to complete the UNO scholarship portal?
Yes. Many of these awards require both admission to UNO and completion of the general scholarship portal, plus a separate program application.

Which hidden gem has the biggest “catch”?
The Teacher Scholars Academy requires a post-graduation teaching commitment in Omaha Public Schools, and the Nebraska Career Scholarship requires a Nebraska-based internship to retain fourth-year funding.

Is the Honors Program “worth it” beyond the scholarship money?
Yes. Honors students receive priority registration, access to smaller seminar courses, faculty mentoring, and early research opportunities — all of which matter for STEM sequences, nursing prerequisites, and competitive internships.

Do Honors scholarships stack with Nebraska Promise or other aid?
Generally yes. Honors scholarships are merit-based and can stack with need-based programs like Nebraska Promise, subject to total cost-of-attendance limits.

What GPA is required to stay in Honors?
Students must maintain good standing in Honors (typically a 3.25+ cumulative GPA) and complete required Honors coursework. Falling below thresholds can result in probation or removal from the program.

Does Honors help with flagship awards like Scott Scholars?
It can strengthen a student’s academic profile and access to faculty mentors, but Scott Scholars is a separate, highly competitive STEM program with its own early deadline.