(Nov. 25/08) Photo Gallery - Governor Dave Heineman and University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken travel the state to spread the word on Collegebound Nebraska – a newly expanded financial aid program at the University of Nebraska. Collegebound Nebraska is making a college education more affordable for thousands of Nebraska students. President Milliken and Gov. Dave Heineman spoke with students at Lincoln Northstar, Omaha South and Grand Island Senior High Schools to encourage them to attend college. Graduates of the three high schools who are now attending Nebraska universities spoke with the student at their respective schools about overcoming barriers to attend college.
"I applaud President J.B. Milliken and the University of Nebraska on expanding the financial assistance available to help more high school graduates attend college," Gov. Heineman said. "Increasing Nebraska's college enrollment is critical to the future success of today's students and our continued economic growth as a state. This is a great way to provide meaningful assistance. The Collegebound program will ensure more Nebraska students have access to the tools they need to make higher education a reality, and that's great news for our state."
Collegebound Nebraska, formerly called the Tuition Assistance Program, was approved by the Board of Regents in 2004 and was first funded for the 2004-05 school year. Since then, more than $13.6 million has been provided to Nebraska students to help them pay their tuition on one of the university's four campuses. This year, almost 4,300 students are receiving Collegebound funds, including more than 220 who didn't meet Pell eligibility but did qualify under the expanded program.