Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship is Nebraska's flagship need-based college scholarship, backed by the foundation Warren Buffett created in 1964 and renamed for his late wife. For more than 50 years it has funded Nebraska students with financial need, and it remains one of the most generous state-focused programs in the country, paying from $200 up to $5,900 per term toward a Nebraska public college education.
The scholarship is aimed squarely at access: applicants must live in Nebraska, have graduated from a Nebraska high school or earned a GED, plan to attend a Nebraska public college or university as first-time freshmen, and demonstrate financial need. The academic bar is a 2.0 unweighted GPA, keeping the door open for students who work hard outside the classroom.
Awards renew as long as scholars stay on track, and many campuses pair recipients with Thompson Scholars learning communities for mentoring and support. The application opens November 1 and closes February 1, with decisions announced by May 1.
Eligibility
- Nebraska resident who graduated from a Nebraska high school or earned a GED
- First-time college freshman planning to attend a Nebraska public college or university
- Demonstrated financial need
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative unweighted high school GPA
How To Apply
- Create an account at app.buffettscholarships.org when the application opens November 1.
- Submit the application form, short answer responses, one recommendation letter, financial documents, high school transcript, and consent form by the February 1 deadline (5 pm CT).
- Log back into the portal for your award decision, announced before May 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the scholarship pay?
Awards range from $200 to $5,900 per term for first-time freshmen at Nebraska public colleges, sized to financial need, and are renewable while you remain on track.
Do I need top grades to qualify?
No. The minimum is a 2.0 cumulative unweighted high school GPA (77 on a 100-point scale) - the program prioritizes financial need over academic pedigree.