Online Schools: Nebraska

In the mid-1800s Nebraska was one of the most sought-after territories by the United States, eventually becoming the 37th state. The state’s borders were redrawn multiple times, giving to and taking from land of neighboring territories until 1882, when it took land from South Dakota to become the shape it is presently. The expansion of railways did a lot of mold Nebraska’s social and economic culture. Nebraska’s land was valuable to railroad industries creating an economic boost, job opportunities, and a rise in settlers. Today, the largest train yard in the U.S. is Nebraska’s Bailey Yard. Other booming industries include Kool-Aid, which was named the official drink of Nebraska, ConAngra, Berkshire Hathaway, and Spade Ranch.

Online schools in Nebraska are only just beginning to blossom. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) began a pilot virtual education program completely funded by the state. This free distance learning program began in August 2011 and was modeled after UNL’s original Independent Study High School. The pilot program is still small, accepting only 50 students as of 2012, but if it proves to be a success it will grow tremendously. The Independent Study High School, however, is open to a wide range of students. Although the program is costly, there are hundreds of courses to choose from including advanced classes. Unlike most online schools, high school juniors and seniors can take classes for college credit with this program.

Nebraska’s online schools are few and far between, especially when it comes to higher education. Some colleges have online courses which can be taken to supplement classes for an on-campus degree, but very few have full distance learning programs. UNL has complete online degrees for undergraduate and graduate students. Majors range from science, to legal studies, public policy, engineering, and food safety and defense, among many others. These subjects are especially relevant considering the flourishing agriculture industry in Nebraska. Most of the degrees are designed for master’s and doctorate degree seekers, but there are options for certificates and bachelor’s degrees as well.

UNL offers dozens of scholarships for its students, including the ones enrolled in online courses. However, Nebraska’s Department of Education doesn’t offer much in terms of resources for the state’s students. The Nebraska Opportunity Grant is the only state-funded financial aid available. Students can qualify for this aid through the Federal Application for Student Aid.

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