Governor declares Nebraska State College System Month

NSCS Associate Vice Chancellor Sheri Irwin-Gish provided details at the proclamation ceremony about three opportunities offered at Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges to make college more accessible. They include the NSCS Advantage Program, NSCS Application Week and NSCS Month Bookstore Gift Certificates.

Gov. Heineman said, “I appreciate the work those with the Nebraska State College System are doing to make college accessible for more of our high school graduates. Our state colleges are home to great programs that provide a quality education for students from across our state.”

NSCS Advantage Program

The NSCS Advantage Program guarantees that first-time freshmen who receive federal Pell Grants will pay no tuition while attending Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges. A participant must be a Nebraska resident, a federal Pell Grant recipient, a new first-time freshman and enrolled in at least 12 on-campus credit hours (with a maximum of 16 on-campus credits).

NSCS Chancellor Stan Carpenter said, “The NSCS Advantage Program provides the difference between the cost of tuition and the amount of all other awards for Pell Grant recipients. About one-third of our students in the NSCS qualify for Pell Grant assistance and we are attempting to remove the financial barriers many face. Continuation in the program requires the recipient to receive a federal Pell Grant every semester and to remain enrolled in at Chadron, Peru or Wayne State College.”

More information can be found at www.nscs.edu. Click on the NSCS Advantage icon.

NSCS Application Week

During NSCS Month, the Nebraska State College System will also sponsor the Second Annual NSCS Application Week, October 19-24. Chadron, Peru and Wayne State College representatives will visit high schools to assist students with applying to one or more of our colleges. Since college representatives cannot get to every high school, counselors were asked to partner with the Nebraska State College System in this effort and encourage students to apply online and assist them with the online applications. Beginning October 19 at 9 a.m. and ending October 25 at 4 p.m., students can go to the NSCS website at www.nscs.edu and click on the APPLY NOW! button to apply to one or more of our colleges. During this week, there will be no application fee.

Chancellor Carpenter said, “The goal of the Nebraska State College System Application Week is to provide access and assistance for every graduating senior who wants to apply online to one of the member colleges of the Nebraska State College System. Through our efforts and those of the high school guidance counselors, we can reach every high school in Nebraska.”

NSCS Month Bookstore Gift Certificates

Students who visit Chadron, Peru or Wayne State College and take a campus tour during NSCS Month in October will be eligible for bookstore gift certificates. Three students, one at each college, will receive $800 bookstore gift certificates.

Irwin-Gish said, “Books cost approximately $800 to $1000 each year. We want to assist students who research and visit our colleges so they can make the best choice for their future. These gift certificates will make a significant impact on the students’ bookstore bills, making college more accessible.”

Chancellor Carpenter said, “The small class size, flexible scheduling and high level of student-faculty engagement provided at Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges provide an exceptionally personal college experience that brings out the best in our students. And, the best way to find out about our colleges is to visit. Walk on the campuses; visit with faculty, students and staff. This is an excellent way to discover the thousands of opportunities our colleges offer.”

Campus tours can be scheduled through the Admissions Offices via phone or web at:

• Chadron State: 1-800-CHADRON or give.rpgwithme.com/admissions
• Peru State: 1-800-742-4412 or www.peru.edu/admissions
• Wayne State: 1-866-WSC-CATS or www.wsc.edu/admission

The Nebraska State College System serves 8,600 students from Nebraska and surrounding states through three geographically diverse institutions: Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges. Combined, the three colleges offer more than 200 degree, certificate, and pre-professional programs that are accessible on the three campuses, via the Internet, and in several satellite locations throughout the state. With more than 250 credentialed faculty members and 50,000 successful graduates, the NSCS provides significant human and intellectual capital that contributes to the current and future economic strength of the State of Nebraska.