How Nebraska Students Can Apply for the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation College Scholarship

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (STBF) awards college scholarships on a competitive basis to first-time freshmen who live in Nebraska, graduate from a Nebraska high school (or earn a GED), plan to attend a Nebraska public college, and demonstrate financial need. To apply, complete the FAFSA first, then submit the STBF scholarship application online between December 1 and March 1. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award — the Foundation states that scholarships are limited and it cannot fund all eligible candidates.

Check Your Eligibility Before You Start

The Foundation lists five conditions that applicants must meet. All of them apply together, so confirm each one before investing time in the application.

If any of these do not describe your situation, this scholarship is likely not the right fit. If all of them do, you are eligible to apply — but read the next section on how competitive selection works.

Understand That Eligibility Is Not a Guarantee

The Foundation is explicit that scholarships are awarded competitively and that "there are a limited number of scholarships, so the Foundation is unable to provide awards to all eligible candidates." In practice, this means:

• Completing every step correctly and on time keeps you in consideration.
• It does not commit the Foundation to an award.
• You should treat this scholarship as one part of a broader financial aid plan rather than a certainty.

Follow the Three Application Steps

The Foundation outlines the process in three ordered steps. The order matters: the FAFSA comes first.

Step 1 — Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the foundation's first required step and the basis for the financial need assessment. Finish it before you move on to the scholarship application.

Step 2 — Apply Beginning December 1

The STBF scholarship application opens December 1. The Foundation's site notes that the 2027 application opens December 1st, so plan around that opening date rather than submitting earlier.

Step 3 — Submit by March 1

Submit your STBF Scholarship Application online by March 1. Treat this as a hard deadline and aim to finish ahead of it so that any technical or documentation issues can be resolved in time.

Verify Your Submission

After you submit, confirm that you have:

• Received confirmation that your FAFSA was completed and processed.
• Submitted the STBF application through the online application before March 1.
• Kept a record of your submission in case you need to follow up.

If you are unsure whether your application went through, contact the Foundation using the details below rather than assuming.

Get Help With Scholarship Questions

The Foundation provides direct contact channels for scholarship questions:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (402) 943-1383
• Social: @BuffettScholars

Note that the Foundation states it responds to questions about college scholarships only and does not respond to other inquiries — so keep your message focused on the scholarship and application process.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Skipping or delaying the FAFSA. It is Step 1 for a reason; the need assessment depends on it.
• Applying before December 1. The application is not open until then.
• Missing the March 1 deadline. Late submissions fall outside the stated window.
• Assuming eligibility equals an award. Selection is competitive and limited.
• Sending unrelated questions. The Foundation will not respond to non-scholarship inquiries, so you may not get an answer to anything outside that scope.

Quick Checklist

• [ ] Confirmed Nebraska residency, Nebraska high school graduation or GED, first-time freshman status, and plans to attend a Nebraska public college
• [ ] Completed the FAFSA
• [ ] Submitted the STBF application online on or after December 1 and before March 1
• [ ] Saved confirmation of your submission
• [ ] Noted the Foundation's contact details for any follow-up