Middle School College Savings Scholarship

Enter to win one of five $200 scholarships in a NEST 529 College Savings Account. Click here for official eligibility rules.

You may have heard that college is expensive, which can be true. The chart below shows the average cost of tuition each year at Nebraska colleges.

Other costs include books and supplies which average $1,000 per year, and room & board (living and dining) which averages $9,000 each year. See average Nebraska college costs below.

Now you know why it’s important to learn now how to pay for college!

If you and your parents save for college, you're more likely to attend and graduate. Why? Because someone believes you will go!

But what if you already know you're going to college? Should you still save? Yes! Especially if you want to avoid a lot of student debt.

Graduates from a 4-year college in Nebraska average over $26,000 in student loan debt. But if you're a 7th grader and your family saves $50/month, you’ll have $3,600 that you won’t have to borrow!

Want to know another reason you should use a 529 account? The funds can only be used for college, so you won’t be tempted to use the money to buy a car when you turn 16.

You might receive grants and scholarships, but they usually only cover 25% of a student’s college costs. Apply for lots of scholarships, but know that you won’t get them all.

So what’s next?

First, talk to your parents/guardian or grandparents about saving for college!

Then, take action: open a 529 college savings account at www.nest529.com. 

Earn money to add to your account by babysitting, shoveling snow, or mowing lawns for neighbors. Start a dog-walking business. If you’re in a rural area, detassel corn. When you’re in high school, get a part-time job.

Now enter a drawing for one of five $200 scholarships.