| Since July 1, 2016: | Existing Programs Review: The Commission is constitutionally required to review, monitor and approve or disapprove each public institutions existing and proposed new academic programs to provide compliance with the Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Postsecondary Education and to prevent unnecessary duplication. Between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2020, the Commission reviewed 782 existing programs, including 31 in-depth reviews. Approval of Proposed New Academic Programs: During the past four years, the Commission reviewed and approved 60 proposals for new academic programs and 15 new organizational units at public institutions. One proposal was withdrawn.Approval of Out-of-State Institutions: The Commission is required to approve new or out of-state institutions wanting to operate in Nebraska. During this period, the Commission authorized six institutions to operate in Nebraska and approved 24 renewals or program modifications.The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among 49 member states that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The Commission is the states portal agency. From July 2016 through June 2020, the Commission approved one new institution for participation (on top of 24 previously approved) and approved 100 renewal applications.Capital Construction: The Commission must review, monitor and approve or disapprove public college and university capital construction projects that use more than $2 million in tax funds to construct facilities, or more than $90,000 per year in tax funds to operate and maintain. Disapproved projects cannot receive state funds for construction or ongoing operating and maintenance costs. From July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2020, the Commission reviewed 23 capital construction project proposals. The Commission also reviewed the biennial capital construction requests of the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, and the Nebraska State College System in 2016 and 2018 and prioritized them in a statewide list. Budget Review and Recommendations: The Commission has constitutional responsibility to review and modify, if necessary, the biennial budget requests of Nebraskas public postsecondary institutions and make recommendations on those requests to the Governor and Legislature. In fall 2016 and fall 2018, the Commission reviewed requests for additional state funding from the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis, the Nebraska State College System, and the community colleges.Financial Aid: The Commission administers the Access College Early Scholarship program, which awards scholarships to low-income high school students enrolled in college courses at a participating public or private postsecondary institution. Between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020, ACE awarded $3,954,500 to 9,395 students.The Commission administers the Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG), which is awarded to low-income undergraduate Nebraska students in consultation with financial aid administrators at Nebraskas postsecondary institutions. Between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020, ACE awarded $79,049,150 to 51,519 students.In 2015, the Legislature created the Community College Gap Assistance Program, which had a formal start date of July 1, 2016. The program distributes roughly $1.4 million annually to the states six community colleges, which recruit and select eligible low-income students in eligible programs to receive grants. Between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020, Gap was used by 629 students.Reports and Analysis: The Commission published the following reports and analyses annually between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020: Nebraska Higher Education Progress Report, Factual Look at Higher Education in Nebraska, Delivering Courses Beyond Campus Walls, College Continuation Rates for Nebraska Public High Schools, and reports on financial aid programs. The Commission published the following required reports biennially: Higher Education Operating Budget Recommendations, Capital Construction Budget Recommendations and Prioritization, Biennial Report, and Tuition, Fees, and Affordability.As part of the U.S. Department of Educations FAFSA Completion Initiative, the Commission provides certain designated entities -- typically high schools -- with limited data about students progress in completing and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA Initiative enables the designated entities to better target counseling and help with completing the FAFSA. |