Tuition Waivers

The First Responder Recruitment & Retention Act provides a waiver of 100% of the resident tuition charges remaining after subtracting federal financial aid and grants, and state scholarships and grants. The waiver is applicable to law enforcement officers, professional firefighters or firefighter-paramedics, or their legal dependents for a period of up to five years.

Eligibility Requirements

To establish eligibility for the waiver for yourself or legal dependent, an applicant must be admitted to Northeast Community College, have completed the FAFSA and must complete and sign the application form. Additionally, the law enforcement officer’s superior officer or professional firefighter’s/firefighter-paramedic’s fire chief must sign the certificate attesting to satisfactory performance.

Application Process

1. 1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   2. Submit the First Responder Certification of Verification and Authorization for Release of Information (FRVA) signed by the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The First Responder must create an account with the Electronic Document and Application Submission Hub (eDash hub) to complete the request for the FRVA form and upload a current paystub to verify employment. Once submitted, the NDOR will process the FRVA form request and will notify you when the FRVA Form is available. Once available, please download the form and submit it to the Financial Aid office. (Northeast will not accept the form until page two has been signed by a NDOR representative.)
   3. Submit the Certification of Verification of Satisfactory Performance signed by your superior officer.
   4. If you are a legal dependent applying for the waiver you will need to complete the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Application and the Tuition Waiver Recipient Agreement and return to the financial aid office. 

Northeast’s Athletic Department offers tuition waivers for student athletes. For information, contact Jerrett Mills, Athletic Director (402) 844-7271.

Men's Programs:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Golf
• Soccer

Women's Programs:

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Softball
• Volleyball

For information, contact Dr. Wade Herley (402) 844-7299.

The Livestock Judging team competes in intercollegiate judging contests throughout the year in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky, and Texas. The team also assists with livestock contests held on campus and hosts an annual judging contest for 4-H members in the area. For information, contact Mike Roeber (402) 844-7183.

Students may be selected for a tuition waiver based on their participation in musical organizations at Northeast. Musical organizations at Northeast include the Northeast Area Jazz Ensemble, Northeast Jazz Machine, Northeast Singers Express, and Ebony & Crimson. For information, contact Margaret Schultz (402) 844-7765.

Tuition waivers are available for students wanting to become more involved in the Northeast Players, the College’s theatre group. In addition to the performing aspect, students are also introduced to the technical side of theatre, taking charge of crews for set construction, lights, sound, and the like. For information, contact Adam Peterson (402) 844-7763.

The Dean's Waiver is a $500 tuition waiver awarded to a student starting college in the fall term who graduated from high school the previous May. This waiver is awarded by the high school and can be based upon local criteria along with the following minimum Northeast requirements:

• Be a current high school student with an expected graduation during the 2025-2026 academic school year from a high school within the Northeast 20-county service area
• Be a current resident of Nebraska
• Enroll as a full-time, degree seeking student for the fall term following graduation from high school
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and meet the Northeast Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress during each semester