LINCOLN — Four months after a new full scholarship and stipend program was launched to attract the state's best scholars, more are choosing the University of Nebraska.

Interim NU Chancellor Chris Kaborek, Gov. Jim Pillen and the NU Board of Trustees Presidential Scholars Program In February, Full tuition waiver and $5,000 annual stipend Students who receive a perfect ACT score or equivalent SAT score (1570 or above) can attend the NU campus.
On Monday, Kaborek, Pillen, Nebraska State Education Commissioner Brian Maher and representatives from ACT congratulated ACT's 28 top achievers at the Nebraska State Capitol.
“I hope all of your dreams come true and that you come back to Nebraska,” Pillen told the students.
Fewer than nine students who earned perfect scores on the ACT or SAT chose NU last year, according to NU spokeswoman Melissa Lee, and that number “nearly doubled” with the first group of 16 students enrolled for the fall semester, 14 of whom will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and two will attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Joshua Collard of Twentynine Palms High School in California was granted Nebraska residency because both of his parents are serving in the military, and Shrey Agarwal of Lincoln East High School was also in the first class based on his SAT scores.
“When we started this, we said, 'If we can change the life of a Nebraska kid, then it's worth it,'” Kaborek told the Nebraska Examiner.
Kaborek told the students that if their first choice of college after high school isn't a good fit, it opens the door to becoming a Presidential Scholar in the future with the same benefits.
“Just like with athletics and the transfer portal, give us a call,” Kaborek continued.
Kaborek is Joined the board of directors And the former Regent Pyren, meeting Excellent student Across the state The interim president said it's the same way coaches visit “five-star athletes.” The goal is to meet more students in the future and to grow future cohorts, such as Nebraska students who scored 33 or higher on the ACT.
“They all have dreams and they're very bright kids, and I'm sure they'll achieve their dreams,” Kaborek said. “Whether they become the next great farmer or rancher or invent the cure for cancer, that's all that matters. We're so grateful and so proud.”
Other students honored Monday chose Johns Hopkins University, Texas A&M University, Purdue University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley.
This year's graduating class members who earned the highest ACT scores are:
- Ruby Burger, Elkhorn South High School;
- Mark Bausch (Clayton Prep School);
- Charles Bourke, Elkhorn North High School;
- Joseph Conner, Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School;
- Joseph Crenshaw (Clayton Prep School).
- Logan Doorlagh (Papillion-La Vista South High School);
- Rachel Fernandez (Duchène Academy);
- Jack Goltl (Clayton Prep School);
- Ruby Gutzman (Blair High School).
- Caleb Kelly, Pender Public Schools;
- Logan Kieckhafer, Elkhorn High School;
- Lilias McKillip, Lincoln Southeast High School;
- Thomas McMullen, Millard West High School;
- Lucas Menard (Clayton Prep School);
- Advika Namasivayam (Millard North High School).
- Kashif Nazmal, Elkhorn High School;
- Elias Parsonage (Westside High School).
- Lucy Rawlinson (Central High School);
- Katherine Richards, McCook High School;
- Jeremy Robson, Millard West High School;
- Andrew Rogers (Clayton Prep School).
- Ethan Ross (Bennington High School).
- Gunnar Santelman, Elkhorn South High School;
- Nayan Bell, Millard North High School;
- Caden Betro, Millard North High School;
- Rachel Wu, Elkhorn South High School;
- Rohan Yarramanchili (Millard North High School);
- Rocco Zimmerman, Mount Michael High School;