Application Process
What are the qualifications to apply for the Engineering Academy?
Check out our Eligibility Requirements page with all the details about how to qualify for the Engineering Academy! We look forward to reviewing your application!
Can I apply for the scholarship in my sophomore or junior or senior year?
The Engineering Academy is open to incoming freshmen, as it is cohort-based. High school students in their freshman, sophomore, or junior year should wait to apply for the Engineering Academy until the year they graduate from a Nebraska high school. We can also not consider applicants who are currently enrolled in degree-seeking higher education programs.
What do I do if I missed the Informational Meeting about the program?
The Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy (PKFEA) staff and students hosted an informational session about how to apply for the fourth cohort on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. If you missed the meeting, no worries! You can learn more about the program and the application process here: https://go.unl.edu/pkfeainfomeeting2024
If you have any additional questions, you can reach out to Maggie Miller, the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Retention, for the PKFEA program at mmiller113@unl.edu or call her at 402-472-8596.
When is the application available?
The application for the fifth cohort will be available starting November 1, 2025. We encourage applicants to apply by our priority deadline to be considered for an interview by February 2, 2026. You can apply for the Engineering Academy here!
Academics
How many credit hours can I take each semester?
Students will follow the university's policy for the maximum number of credits allowed per semester. Students wishing to exceed this limit should visit with program leadership to learn about their options. the academy requires that students complete at least 15 credit hours per semester.
What happens if I drop a class or withdraw?
Visit with program leadership if you need to drop a class or withdraw to learn how it will affect your scholarship.
Are online classes covered?
Yes, this scholarship will cover online classes. Engineering is largely an in-person major, but you may take some online courses while in your degree.
Can I use this scholarship for multiple undergraduate degrees?
The Engineering Academy scholarship requires that a student pursue a degree in the College of Engineering. Please visit with program leadership if you wish to pursue multiple degrees in four years (e.g., a double major outside of the College of Engineering).
Can I take a gap year and still keep my scholarship?
The intent of this scholarship is for consecutive years. Any student with extenuating circumstances is encouraged to contact program leadership, as this may be considered on a case-by-case basis and at the leadership's discretion.
General Questions
How do I keep my scholarship?
To retain their position in the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy, students must participate in all program requirements, maintain full-time status, and be in good standing in the College of Engineering.
Students will receive a Program Handbook that outlines information on all requirements, probation, and dismissal policies.
Can I participate in Greek life, the Honors program or other programs on campus?
Students may choose to participate in the Honors program or Greek life in addition to the Engineering Academy, as long as they balance their time and meet program commitments effectively. Please note that we have a live-on requirement for the first two years of our program, so you will not be able to live in Honors housing or Greek houses during that time, but can opt to live in those accommodations at your own expense during the last 2-3 years of your career at UNL/UNO.
If you have a question about a different program on campus, such as Raikes or the pathway programs in engineering, contact program leadership to learn more. Some programs on campus have conflicting time commitments, so students cannot participate in both. However, we encourage students to apply to all programs of their interest to find one that's the best fit for them.
What is the Data Use Policy?
Since the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy is financially supported by the Peter Kiewit Foundation, we share aggregate data with the Foundation concerning the academic progress of our students. We do not share individual or identifying information with the Foundation as that is a violation of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). To review the Data Use Policy, please use this link: https://go.unl.edu/pkfeadatausepolicy
Financial Aid
What's the difference between the FAFSA and the Federal Student Aid Estimator Form? Which one should I file?
If you are a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, you will need to complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA should become available for you to complete starting October 1, 2025, for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. You can access the FAFSA via this link: fafsa.gov. When you complete the FAFSA, it will ask you to list a School Code, UNL's code is 002565, and UNO's code is 002554. Then your financial information will be shared with UNL/UNO and the College of Engineering.
If you are an ineligible noncitizen but you reside in the state of Nebraska and want to be considered for the Engineering Academy, we encourage you to complete the Federal Student Aid Estimator form via this link and attach it to your application: go.unl.edu/altform.
To be considered for the Engineering Academy, you need to submit a FAFSA or the Federal Student Aid Estimator form to the university you want to attend.
Can I stack my Peter Kiewit Foundation tuition and fees scholarship with my other awards?
The academy scholarship is considered "last-in." This means that the Engineering Academy will cover what is left on your bill/balance* after other scholarships are applied first. For example, if you have a Regents or Traditions scholarship, PKFEA will cover the rest of the tuition and fees not covered by your Regents or Traditions scholarships. Thus, this scholarship amount varies by student up to the full cost of tuition and fees.
* Please note that we do not cover all fees/charges that might be charged to your account.
Are there any scholarships or programs that I cannot stack on top?
While it is very exciting to receive substantial scholarship offers from multiple programs, the goal of our program is to spread the wealth and make college accessible for more students. Therefore, any student that accepts an offer to participate in our program are not eligible to receive additional aid from or participate in the following programs:
- Kiewit Scholars Program
- Raikes School
- Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA)
- William H. Thompson (WHT) Scholars Learning Community
- Careers Scholarship
- Scott Scholars
- Goodrich Scholarship
- College of Engineering's Women in Engineering Program (WIE) and Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP)
Do I have to pay the enrollment deposit at UNL or UNO (depending on my campus of study)?
As part of the university enrollment process, all newly admitted first-year and transfer students must pay or defer a $250 enrollment deposit to finalize admission and secure their space in the incoming class. If accepted into the Engineering Academy, students will then be reimbursed for the deposit.
UNL Deposit InfoUNO Deposit Info
- Spring Term deposit deadline: December 1
- Fall/Summer Term deposit deadline: May 1
What fees are covered?
The following fees are covered: registration, technology, ID card, library, facilities, online courses, and other course fees (e.g., a lab fee). The program will not cover late fees, any fees applied to your account for damage or student conduct, any health care visits to the health center or the optional health insurance fees, and other indirect costs*. Any fees not listed here are subject to the discretion of program leadership.
Note: Deposits are not considered fees.
*Cost of attendance that a student will likely incur, but not pay toward the university. This may include supplemental supplies, off-campus housing, transportation to and from campus, and other personal expenses.
Housing
What housing will I be in for the Engineering Academy?
Students attending UNL will reside on City Campus and live in Abel Hall in a Double Room during their first year in the program. Then they will live in a Suite-Style Upper-Division Room in Eastside Suites for their second year in the program to fulfill their two-year live-on requirement. If program participants want to receive free housing for the remainder of their collegiate career, they can reside in Courtyards. Engineering Academy participants can live with the roommate(s) of their choice for the duration of the program, but are encouraged to live with other program participants.
Students on Scott Campus (UNO) will live in Scott Crossing for the duration of the program. During their first two years, they will reside in 3- or 4-bedroom Traditional/Residence Hall-style units. If program participants want to continue to receive free housing for the remainder of their collegiate career, they will continue to live in Scott Crossing in the 3- or 4-bedroom Suite/Apartment-style units. Engineering Academy participants can live with the roommate(s) of their choice for the duration of the program, but are encouraged to live with other program participants.
Do I still need to complete a housing contract if I'm selected for this program?
Yes, you will need to complete a housing application in order to live in our scholar community. If you have already completed one before you were accepted to the program, great! We will notify Housing on both campuses of who is expected to participate in our program and live in our designated scholar community.
Can I live in Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH)?
Absolutely! We want everyone to feel comfortable and safe in their personal space, and we are happy to make accommodations for those who prefer GIH. Simply select that option on your Housing Contract, and Housing will make the necessary changes to your profile. Housing will then work with us to make sure you can still live among the other students participating in the Engineering Academy. Please contact program leadership if you have additional questions.
What if I want to live at home?
Students are expected to live in the scholar community for at least the first two years, and all related costs are covered by the program. Students may continue to live on campus their junior and senior years paid for by the program. Please contact program leadership if you have additional questions or want to learn more about our accommodation process.
What is a learning community (LC)?
One of the best ways to develop strong friendships and succeed in college is to join a learning community. It is an academic learning experience outside of the classroom in a fun and educational setting.
Engineering Academy students take part in a special type of learning community called a Scholar Community; thus, students will remain in the Engineering Academy Scholar Community the entire time at the university and will not be permitted to join other Learning Communities. There are hundreds of other Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) if you are looking for additional ways to engage with other students outside the program! Scott Campus Housing (UNO) does not offer learning communities, so this would not impact program participants.
Can I join a learning community?
Engineering Academy students are in a specific type of Learning Community called a Scholar Community and are not permitted to join additional Learning Communities, as they have conflicting Housing requirements. While you can't join another Learning Community, there are hundreds of other Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus to engage with students with similar interests.
Scholar Communities at Nebraska are comprised of students who share a commitment to the goals of academic excellence, leadership development, and involved citizenship. Membership in a Scholar Community is by invitation only, either through application or receipt of a specific scholarship attached to a given community. As a member of a Scholar Community, you can expect to have an amazing experience with other students who share your enthusiasm for academic achievement and your passion for personal growth.