Nebraska Awards $4,000 to Eight Students Taking Charge

Eight Nebraska high school students just earned $500 scholarships simply for learning how to pay for college. EducationQuest Foundation rewarded teens who took the initiative to understand financial aid, proving that asking for help can literally pay off.

Six students won Financial Aid Program Scholarships after being randomly selected from 977 students who attended free financial aid workshops this year. The sessions helped families navigate the often confusing college application process, and EducationQuest hosted 108 of them across Nebraska.

The winners came from schools across the state. Alexandra Rasmussen from Chadron High School, Taylin Schluter from Exeter/Milligan Friend High School, Grady Ganser from Holdrege High School, Two Way from Lincoln High School, Kayden Schmidt from Norfolk Senior High School, and Finn Costello from Omaha Central High School each took home $500.

Two more students scored scholarships through an even simpler path. Roslynn Provance from Lincoln Northwest High School and Erica Horne from Pius X High School each won $500 Get Social Scholarships just for following EducationQuest on social media and entering a drawing.

Eric Drumheller, Vice President of Grants and Scholarships at EducationQuest, said the foundation wants to make financial aid less intimidating. Every time EducationQuest gains 250 new followers across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, they award another scholarship through random drawing.

All scholarship money goes directly into NEST 529 College Savings Accounts, which means it grows tax-free until students need it for tuition, books, or other college expenses.

The Ripple Effect

When nearly 1,000 students show up to learn about financial aid, they're not just helping themselves. They're taking knowledge home to younger siblings, cousins, and friends who'll face the same challenges. EducationQuest's approach turns the scary world of FAFSA forms and financial planning into something approachable, and these scholarships prove that showing up matters.

The message is simple: asking questions about paying for college shouldn't feel embarrassing. It should feel smart, because sometimes it comes with a $500 reward.