Acceptance of the scholarship constitutes acceptance of the scholarship award terms.
Scholarship Values
The Susan T. Buffett Scholarship is named for Susan Thompson Buffett (the late wife of Warren Buffett), who started the scholarship over 50 years ago to provide opportunities for students to pursue higher education regardless of their economic circ*mstances. To date, almost 10,000 scholars have received the gift of this scholarship. As a Buffett Scholar, you belong to a large community of scholars who show integrity, responsibility, kindness, and respect within and outside your college campus.
The Susan T. Buffett Foundation Scholarship program promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion for students who have the privilege of receiving the scholarship. The scholarship program values a diverse community of learners where all students feel respected, welcome, and safe.
Scholarship Amount
The table below shows the maximum term (semester or quarter) award of The Susan T. Buffett Foundation Scholarship at each public college in Nebraska for the 2023-2024 academic year, based on tuition and fee amounts at each college. The scholarship amount is updated every July.
Maximum Term Awards for 2023-2024
(term = semester, quarter, or summer session)
| Colleges | Full Time (12+hours) | Three-Quarter Time (9-11 hours) | Half Time (6-8 hours) | Quarter Time (3-5 hours) | Less than Quarter Time (1-2 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Colleges | |||||
| CCC | $2,225.00 | $1,668.75 | $1,112.50 | $556.25 | $278.13 |
| LPTC | $3,250.00 | $2,437.50 | $1,625.00 | $812.50 | $406.25 |
| MCC | $1,650.00 | $1,237.50 | $825.00 | $412.50 | $206.25 |
| MPCC | $2,350.00 | $1,762.50 | $1,175.00 | $587.50 | $293.75 |
| NECC | $2,475.00 | $1,856.25 | $1,237.50 | $618.75 | $309.38 |
| NICC | $2,550.00 | $1,912.50 | $1,275.00 | $637.50 | $318.75 |
| SCC | $2,370.00 | $1,777.50 | $1,185.00 | $592.50 | $296.25 |
| WNCC | $2,400.00 | $1,800.00 | $1,200.00 | $600.00 | $300.00 |
| Nebraska State Colleges | |||||
| Chadron State | $4,600.00 | $3,450.00 | $2,300.00 | $1,150.00 | $575.00 |
| Peru State | $4,675.00 | $3,506.25 | $2,337.50 | $1,168.75 | $584.38 |
| Wayne State | $4,520.00 | $3,390.00 | $2,260.00 | $1,130.00 | $565.00 |
| University of Nebraska | |||||
| UNK | $4,725.00 | $3,543.75 | $2,362.50 | $1,181.25 | $590.63 |
| UNL | $5,650.00 | $4,237.50 | $2,825.00 | $1,412.50 | $706.25 |
| UNO | $5,225.00 | $3,918.75 | $2,612.50 | $1,306.25 | $653.13 |
| UNMC | $6,050.00 | $4,537.50 | $3,025.00 | $1,512.50 | $756.25 |
| NCTA | $3,425.00 | $2,568.75 | $1,712.50 | $856.25 | $428.13 |
The scholarship funds can be applied to any part of your cost of attendance (COA) at any of the eligible Nebraska public colleges. COA can include resident tuition, fees, books, room and board, personal expenses and transportation. You must be considered a Nebraska resident at the college where you enroll. Any unused portion of this award does not accrue and may not be applied to subsequent terms.
The Susan T. Buffett Foundation (The Foundation) is responsible for informing your college of your scholarship eligibility. The scholarship award may be less than the maximum term award, depending on the cost of attendance, other financial aid and enrollment status. Withdrawal, dropping classes, or expulsion from the school may result in a reduction to, or revocation of your scholarship.
Scholarship Length
The scholarship begins the fall term of your award year and is granted on a term basis provided you uphold the scholarship expectations. It renews every year for up to 5 years at a four-year college or up to 3 years at a two-year college; OR until graduation, whichever comes first. You are also eligible to receive funding for summer classes, which is optional. The scholarship award is only for undergraduate studies.
You must be continuously enrolled in college throughout the regular academic year while on scholarship (summer enrollment is optional). You may not drop or stop out for a length of time and be reinstated. If you would like to request permission to take a quarter or semester off, please see the "On Hold" section under Special Requests on page 4.
Scholarship Expectations
As a Susan T. Buffett Scholar, you must:
- enroll in at least 9 credits per term;
- obtain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of all terms;
- earn at least 1 credit hour each term; and
- earn at least 18 credit hours or 27 quarter hours by the end of each academic year (August to July)
Scholarship Probation or Conditional Continuance
If you do not meet the scholarship requirements, you may be required to submit an appeal letter. The Foundation's Scholarship Committee reviews the letters before decisions about scholarship retention or removal are made. The Foundation will revoke your scholarship if you do not submit a letter.
If your scholarship is retained, it will result in a probationary period and participation in an academic intervention program offered through your college and/or learning community. The probationary period will be established by the Foundation, and the Foundation may withdraw the scholarship for any student who fails to meet the terms of any probationary period or subsequent probationary period or who again fails to meet the above requirements after a probationary period has ended. Such terms may include, but are not limited to attending a different college or seeking academic or personal support.
Summer enrollment is not required, and there is no minimum credit hour requirement in the summer. However, if you enroll in summer classes, the same policies apply.
If you receive any "Incompletes" for grades during a term, you must complete the course and have a grade posted within a calendar year or it will result in a probationary period.
Transferring the Scholarship
The scholarship award may transfer to any Nebraska state public college, university or community college so long as you notify the Foundation and continue to meet the scholarship requirements. You must complete the "Transfer Request" form located on the scholarship website https://app.buffettscholarships.org/request/Transfer. The form is due at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester/quarter. The scholarship award will not transfer if you have an outstanding balance at the school you are leaving.
Change of Personal Information or Enrollment Status
Contact the Foundation when:
- there is any change to your name, address, phone number or e-mail; and/or
- you graduate, transfer, withdraw, or are subject to any disciplinary action from the college (such as a suspension, expulsion, or any type of probationary status)
Please email scholarships@stbfoundation.org or call 402-943-1383.
Learning Community Information (if you attend UNK, UNL, or UNO)
If you are attending UNK, UNL or UNO, you are automatically a part of the William H. Thompson Learning Community and you must participate fully and adhere to all requirements of the Learning Community (LC).
The LC is an environment where students can learn, explore, and grow individually and collectively as a group of scholars. The LC promotes a safe and inclusive atmosphere where all students should feel like they belong, matter and are respected. The LC celebrates and values diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, religious belief, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographical identity, political affiliation (or perspective), socioeconomic status, and mental and physical ability. The Susan T. Buffett Foundation and LC hold Buffett Scholars to high standards of learning and integrity.
Additional information about each program and its requirements can be found at:
- UNK - https://www.unk.edu/offices/tslc/index.php
- UNL - https://www.unl.edu/wht
- UNO - https://www.unomaha.edu/academic-affairs/thompson-learning-community/index.php
Failure to meet LC requirements may result in LC probation or the loss of the scholarship. If you do not meet the scholarship expectations outlined earlier or uphold the LC requirements, you will be required to submit an appeal letter to the LC Director. The Foundation's Scholarship Committee reviews the letters before decisions about scholarship retention or removal are made. Scholarship funding will no longer continue if you do not submit a letter.
Study Abroad/Exchange Program Information
You are eligible to receive scholarship funds for Study Abroad or Exchange programs provided:
- You will earn credits toward graduation while abroad or during exchange;
- The program is approved by your primary college/university;
- Tuition and fees are paid directly to your primary college/university OR another Nebraska public college;
- Funding for Study Abroad is based on the number of credit hours you enroll in during the Study Abroad term (ex. 6 credit hours equals ½ time funding. See Award Table on page 1).
- Funding is disbursed during, not prior to, the term of Study Abroad.
- You are not on probation at the end of the term immediately prior to going abroad; and
- You complete a "Study Abroad Request" form located on the scholarship website prior to the deadline, https://app.buffettscholarships.org/request/StudyAbroad, and received approval from the Foundation to use funding for study abroad. The deadlines to submit this form are:
- Fall term: August 1
- Spring term: December 1
- Summer term: April 1
You must successfully complete two terms with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at your primary college in order to study abroad or participate in an exchange program.
Scholars making requests who have only completed one term will be required to submit additional information and will be reviewed on a case by case basis. If you started the Study Abroad/Exchange term before the previous term's grades were reported, and you earned a cumulative GPA less than 2.0, the Foundation is not responsible for funding the Study Abroad/Exchange term. Any Learning Community requirements missed because of the study abroad/exchange experience must be completed upon return.Special Requests
1. On Hold
If you are unable to enroll in college for a term, you can request your scholarship be placed on hold. You must complete an “On Hold Request” form located on the scholarship website: https://app.buffettscholarships.org/request/OnHold. Explain the reason for your request and provide any relevant documentation. You need to submit the form before the term begins. The Foundation will review your request and send you an email with the decision. If you attend UNK, UNL, or UNO you are required to meet with a professional staff member in the learning community to discuss your on hold request and a plan to return to college before the Foundation makes a decision.
2. Less than 9 Hours
If you need to request being enrolled in under the required 9 credit hours you must complete a "request to be enrolled for less than 9 hours" form located on the scholarship website: https://app.buffettscholarships.org/request/less9hour. Explain the reason behind your request and provide any relevant documentation. You should submit the form before enrolling in under 9 credit hours or dropping under 9 credit hours. The Foundation will review your request and send you an email regarding the decision. Submitting this form does not exempt you from the earned hours requirement each academic year.
3. Funds for a Secondary College
You are eligible to submit a request to receive scholarship funds at a secondary college unless you are enrolled full-time at your primary college. You must complete the "Funds for a Secondary College Request" form located on the scholarship website: https://app.buffettscholarships.org/request/FundSecondaryCollege. The form is due at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester/quarter.
Reasons for Scholarship Removal
The Foundation reserves the right to revoke the scholarship and discontinue all scholarship payments not already made at its discretion, for any reason, including but not limited to the following:
- Withdrawal from the college of attendance;
- Transfer to an ineligible college;
- Violation of the college's student code of conduct;
- Temporary suspension from the college;
- Permanent suspension or expulsion from the college;
- Non-completion or violation of Learning Community requirements (at UNK, UNL, or UNO);
- Violation of the scholarship award terms;
- Serious misconduct in a public or private sphere including, but not limited to:
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor
- Hate speech and/or racist or other discriminatory comments or acts
- More than 50% of your classes during a term are taken as pass/no pass without Foundation approval;
- Failure to inform the Foundation of changes in enrollment status or personal contact information;
- Insufficient financial need at the time of initial enrollment;
- Failure to meet the terms of any probationary period; or
- Any other factor that we, in our sole discretion, believe warrants revocation.
When considering whether misconduct may warrant removal of a scholarship, the Foundation will take into account any public or private action including, but not limited to, verbal, written, or electronic communication, such as, social media, group chats, texts, emails, etc.
If you are removed from scholarship, you will receive an email from the Foundation. If you would like to appeal the removal decision, you will have 5 business days to submit an appeal letter to scholarships@stbfoundation.org. The Scholarship Committee will review your appeal and a final decision will be promptly sent via email.
Other Scholarships
Please note, you may not accept both the Buffett Scholarship and the following: Scott Career Pathway Scholarship at CCC, MCC, and SCC, Goodrich Scholarship at UNO, Avenue Scholars at MCC, Learn to Dream at SCC, NCPA at UNL, Kearney Bound at UNK, or the PKF Engineering Academy at UNL. Additionally, you may not accept any other scholarships that conflict with the ability to complete the requirements of the Buffett Scholarship and/or Learning Community.
Liability
The Foundation assumes no liability or obligation, financial or otherwise, to any student for any injury, loss, property damage, or other claims that may arise from the student attending college, living on campus, or participating in the LC activities. By accepting the scholarship, the student releases the Foundation and waives any and all claims against the Foundation for any injury, loss, property damage, or other claims that have or may arise from the student attending college, living on campus, or participating in the LC activities.
If you have any questions about the scholarship terms, please contact the Foundation at scholarships@stbfoundation.org or 402-943-1383.
