University of Nebraska at Omaha Scholarships for International Students 2026

UNO does offer scholarships, but some international-student awards are explicitly limited to in-person study

UNO scholarships can support a wide range of subjects across colleges, business (including MBA, finance, marketing), STEM fields like computer science/data science and other tech areas, engineering, education, health and human sciences, and humanities (such as English, history, and social sciences), plus many other majors. International students may be considered for international scholarships at admission and can become eligible for college- and department-based scholarships after enrolling, depending on the program.

In business/finance specifically, Emuobonuvie Akpeghagha completed an MBA with a concentration in Investment Science and explained the motivation as “my passion for finance, social impact, and equipping underserved communities with financial knowledge that leads to empowerment.”

UNO has scholarships that are open broadly to international students (including an international graduate scholarship described as available regardless of country of origin), alongside scholarships limited to specific groups or regions (for example: Commonwealth citizens/permanent residents for one award, a Japan-linked nomination-based scholarship, and other region-criteria awards listed by UNO).

Often yes, especially at the undergraduate level if your first language is not English. UNO lists TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo as preferred indicators of English proficiency, with exemptions for certain English-speaking countries and alternative ways to meet the requirement (such as completing UNO’s intensive English program or certain U.S. college credentials). At the graduate level, English proficiency standards can vary by program, and some programs may also consider waivers depending on your background.

In recipient stories, Emuobonuvie Akpeghagha reported a waiver path: “All my standardized tests were waived. UNO accepted my undergraduate English-language education as sufficient proof of proficiency.”

It depends on level. For undergraduate admission, UNO lists multiple ways to meet performance requirements (for example, meeting a minimum cumulative high-school GPA option, or class rank/test-score pathways). For graduate admission, UNO’s Graduate College generally expects around a “B” average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the bachelor’s degree work, and notes that applicants with a lower GPA (for example 2.7) may be considered for provisional admission, while individual programs can set higher standards.

From scholarship recipient stories, Emuobonuvie Akpeghagha shared having “a CGPA of 3.75” in a Bachelor’s in Finance before starting the UNO MBA.

UNO scholarships and admissions generally don’t publish one universal “age cap,” but eligibility can depend on the scholarship type (first-year awards vs. graduate awards vs. department scholarships) and on visa/enrollment rules for international students. Also, some admissions requirements can change by age. For example, UNO notes certain standardized-test expectations for applicants under a specific age in some admissions pathways.

A practical planning tip from Emuobonuvie Akpeghagha: “created a timeline to track each part of the scholarship and admission process,” which is useful no matter your age.

A strong baseline is meeting UNO admission standards for your level (undergraduate or graduate), then showing academic strength plus “fit” for the scholarship. Many awards weigh grades, program alignment, and sometimes service/leadership. Graduate funding routes can also include assistantships, which are competitive and often depend on your profile and program needs.

In a scholarship recipient story, Emuobonuvie Akpeghagha emphasized combining academics with a clear purpose: “I was intentional about telling my story clearly in my statement of purpose, emphasizing my academic achievements, my vision for impact, and my financial need,” and also highlighted leadership experiences and community service.

Undergraduate (international) examples of commonly required items:

• Online application for admission
• Application fee payment (international undergraduates)
• Grade sheets/transcripts from each institution attended
• Proof of English proficiency (or apply to UNO’s Intensive English option if you cannot provide it)
• Copy of passport
• Financial affidavit and bank statements showing adequate funding for one academic year

Graduate (international) examples of commonly required items:

• Graduate application + application fee
• Transcripts/mark sheets and degree certificates/diplomas (with translations as needed)
• Letters of recommendation (if your program requires them)
• Test scores where required (e.g., GRE/GMAT) and English-language proficiency scores where required
• Common program-requested materials such as a résumé, writing samples, portfolio, interviews, and a statement of purpose
• For visa/I-20 steps after admission: financial affidavit + financial documents (e.g., bank documents/award letters) and a passport copy (per UNO instructions)

From scholarship recipient experience, Emuobonuvie Akpeghagha specifically called out the statement of purpose as central, “telling my story clearly in my statement of purpose,” and also noted that English proof can sometimes be satisfied via prior English-language education (in their case, tests were waived).

Undergraduate: International undergraduate applicants typically pay a $45 non-refundable application fee (domestic undergraduate fees can differ by policy and applicant type).

Graduate: UNO graduate applicants typically pay a non-refundable online application fee; UNO lists $50 for degree-seeking graduate applications and lower fees (e.g., $25) for some non-degree/unclassified/certificate categories, with specific fee-waiver groups listed by UNO.