Susan Thompson Buffett Scholars FAQ’s

1. What costs are covered with my Buffett Scholarship?
   Up to $3,200 per semester for tuition and fees and up to $400 a semester for books and supplies.
2. When should I apply for scholarships?
   From January 1 to the application deadline of March 1.
3. Am I required to file a FAFSA?
   Yes.  Financial need is one of the criteria for the scholarship and is determined by the student filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitting a copy of their Student Aid Report (SAR) along with the scholarship application.  Please go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information on filing for federal student aid.
4. How soon can I file a FAFSA?
   You and/or your parents must have calculated your prior year’s income taxes in order to file.  You will need to do this as soon as possible after January 1st in order to receive your Student Aid Report prior to the March 1st deadline.   Applications submitted without your Student Aid Report will not be accepted.
5. Do I need to reapply each year?
   No.  Your scholarship will automatically renew each semester for up to five years for a four year college or up to three years for a two year college if you continue to meet the scholarship requirements or until you graduate or obtain your bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
6. What if I add classes after my scholarship has been paid?
   The costs of these classes are the student’s responsibility. 
7. What happens if I drop classes and am assessed partial or full tuition for them?
   You will need to reimburse the Foundation for costs of the dropped classes.  Failure to do so will result in the loss of your scholarship.  Each campus notifies the Foundation of the amount owed and usually the amount of your scholarship will be reduced for the following semester by this amount.
8. What are deadlines of submission of grades?
1. January 1 for the fall semester
2. June 1 for the spring semester
3. Within 3 weeks after the end of the summer session
4. For colleges on the quarter system:  Within 15 days after the end of each quarter
9. Does my grade report need to be official?
   No.  Your grade report can be a printout from your campus’ website that lists each course, the grade received and your cumulative GPA.  Please also include your name, the campus you are attending, your intended date of graduation and any changes to your address or email address.  Correspondence is handled via email, so it is imperative that you advise us of any changes immediately.
10. What happens if I fail to submit my grades by the deadline?
    Failure to submit your grades by the deadline will result in the loss of your scholarship.
11. What GPA is required to maintain my scholarship?
    You need to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
12. What happens if my cumulative GPA drops below 2.0?
    Your scholarship will be terminated. 
13. Are summer school costs covered?
    The scholarship will pay up to a maximum of $3,200 for the summer sessions and up to $27 per credit hour for books and/or supplies to a maximum of $400.  It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Foundation of summer school attendance and report their grades within 3 weeks after the end of the summer session.  Students attending UNL, UNK or UNO will report their grades to scholarships@nebraska.edu.  Students attending all other colleges will report their grades to scholarships@stbfoundation.org.
14. Can my scholarship be used for study abroad?
    Each case will be considered on its own merit.
15. May I use my scholarship at another Nebraska state school even if I am a student at a University campus?
    Yes, but you must let the Foundation know where you will be taking classes and those classes must count toward your degree.
16. How many credit hours must I carry each semester?
    You must carry a minimum of twelve, unless you are working.  All working students must carry an academic load of at least nine credit hours and must notify the Foundation of employment status.
17. Is this scholarship for graduate work?
    The scholarship is for undergraduate studies only.
18. May I transfer to another Nebraska state college or community college?
    Yes.  You may transfer to any Nebraska state public college, university, or community college as long as you notify the Foundation in advance and are still an undergraduate student.
19. I am planning on attending UNO, UNL or UNK; what exactly is the Thompson Learning Community that I will be a part of?
    The Thompson Learning Community was named after William H. Thompson, the father of Susan Thompson Buffett.  Students that receive the Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship and attend UNO, UNL or UNK are automatically part of the Thompson Learning Community.  You may visit the websites listed below to find out more campus specific information and requirements about the Thompson Learning Community.
20. I am a freshman or sophomore attending UNO, UNL or UNK.  Whom do I contact about the William H. Thompson Learning Community?
1. At UNO, contact Kellie Pickett at 402-554-4080, or visit the website http://www.unomaha.edu/thompsonlc
2. At UNL, contact Demoine Adams at 402-472-5523, or visit the website http://wwww.unl.edu/wht
3. At UNK, contact Jennifer Harvey at 308-865-8364, or visit the website http://www.unk.edu/offices/reslife.aspx?id=40748  You may also contact Dr. Robert Luscher, Faculty Director, at 308-865-8115.
21. What is the e-mail address where I need to submit my grades and ask other questions I may have?
    For students attending UNO, UNL or UNK you may Email your grades and questions to scholarships@nebraska.edu.  Make sure to include your name and which campus you are attending.

For students attending any other institution you may Email your grades and questions to scholarships@stbfoundation.org.  Make sure to include your name and which campus you are attending.