Lincoln Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon

About This Scholarship

The Lincoln Community Foundation administers 93 donor-established scholarship funds for students in Lincoln and the surrounding Nebraska community, and in 2025 it awarded over $606,000 to 299 recipients. The next application cycle opens December 15, 2026, running through the foundation's online scholarship portal.

One portal account puts students in front of the full slate of funds, each with its own donor-set criteria — high school, intended major, financial need, and community involvement all come into play across the lineup. Renewal applications for returning recipients open in February, and several funds pay out across multiple years.

With roughly $2,000 as the typical award and nearly 300 recipients per year, the odds here are considerably better than national competitions. Lincoln-area seniors and current college students should have portal accounts ready when the December window opens.

Eligibility

• Students in Lincoln, Nebraska and the surrounding area (individual funds set specific school, residency, and program criteria)
• Open to graduating high school seniors and current college students; some funds serve graduate and returning students
• Each of the 93 donor-established funds sets its own academic, financial need, and activity criteria
• Scholarship recipients must complete a brief online form by July 31 before awards are disbursed to their school

How To Apply

• Set up a Blackbaud ID account on the foundation's scholarship portal at lcf.academicworks.com (returning applicants sign in with their existing account)
• Begin a new application when the cycle opens December 15, 2026
• Complete the application and any fund-specific supplements; renewal applications for prior recipients open in February
• After winning, complete the disbursement form by July 31 so funds go directly to your school

Apply Now →

Frequently Asked Questions