Nevada Promise Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Nevada Legislature

Description The Nevada Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar program established by the Nevada Legislature to make community college nearly tuition-free for eligible Nevada high school graduates. It pays remaining tuition and required fees after other gift aid (grants, scholarships) is applied, covering college costs for up to three years. The award targets students who enroll in community-college-level programs in the fall immediately following their high-school completion.

• Purpose:

Last-dollar scholarship to reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs for Nevada graduates.

• Scope:

Pays remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other gift aid.

• Duration:

Covers up to three years of community-college enrollment.

• Target group:

Nevada high school graduates entering college the fall after graduation.

Eligibility (2025–2026 application cycle) Eligibility for the 2025–2026 Nevada Promise application cycle is defined by residence, prior degrees, and your secondary-education pathway. Applicants must meet Nevada residency rules as defined in Title 4, chapter 15 of the Board of Regents Handbook and must not already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree. Specific education pathways accepted include traditional high-school graduation, qualifying border-county high-school graduation, or an approved high-school equivalency completed before age 20.

• Residency:

Must be a Nevada resident per Title 4, chapter 15 (Board of Regents Handbook).

• Degree status:

Cannot already have an associate or bachelor’s degree.

• Accepted education credentials:

Nevada public/private high-school diploma; qualifying border-county public high-school diploma; or state-approved high-school equivalency (GED, HiSET, or TASC) completed before age 20.

• Homeschool requirement:

Homeschool students must complete an approved high-school equivalency exam by June 15, 2026.

Enrollment Requirement To receive the scholarship, students must begin eligible postsecondary study in the fall term immediately after high-school completion and carry a minimum course load. Specifically, you must enroll in at least 12 credits in an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or an eligible certificate-of-achievement program beginning the fall semester after graduation. This requirement ensures recipients make progress toward a credential while using the award.

• Start term:

Enrollment must begin the fall semester after graduation.

• Minimum load:

At least 12 credits per term.

• Eligible programs:

Associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or qualifying certificate-of-achievement programs.

Award Value The Nevada Promise Scholarship functions as last-dollar aid, meaning it covers tuition and mandatory fees that remain after all other gift aid is applied. It is intended to make community-college attendance “almost tuition-free” by filling the gap between other grants/scholarships and the college’s billed tuition/fees. The program can fund up to three years of eligible enrollment, subject to available funds and continued eligibility.

• Type:

Last-dollar scholarship (pays remaining tuition/fees).

• What’s covered:

Tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other gift aid.

• Limit:

Up to three years of coverage.

• Purpose:

Reduce student out-of-pocket tuition costs.

Application Timeline For the Class of 2026, the application window opens on August 1 and runs through the October due date for that cycle; applicants must also satisfy any subsequent program requirements to retain eligibility. Submit your application within that window and watch for additional tasks or deadlines the program sets after submission. Missing the application window or failing to complete required steps may forfeit access to the award.

• Application open date:

August 1 (Class of 2026 cycle).

• Deadline:

The October due date for the 2025–2026 cycle (check program materials for the exact October date).

• Post-application:

Complete all listed requirements to maintain eligibility.

• Consequence:

Missing deadlines or requirements can disqualify you from the award.