Six College Possible Omaha students are receiving additional support to help cover the real costs of college through our ongoing partnership with The Simple Foundation.
The Simple Foundation Direct-to-Student Aid Scholarship is a renewable award designed to support high-achieving college students with demonstrated financial need. Scholarship funds are dispersed directly to students to help cover educational expenses such as academic and technology essentials, transportation, living costs and other “hidden” college expenses, including student activity and health fees.
For many students, those costs can add up quickly and are often the difference between staying enrolled and falling behind.
This year’s six scholarship recipients represent College Possible Omaha high school graduating classes from 2023 through 2025 and are pursuing degrees in a range of fields, from business and computer science to architecture and agricultural science.
Supporting Students Beyond Tuition
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S., be Pell-eligible, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and remain actively engaged with College Possible and their college success advising specialist.
Awards range from $250 to $1,000 and are renewable.
Students are selected through a multi-step process that includes an initial screening to confirm enrollment, GPA requirements, and consistent engagement with College Possible. Students then move through a qualitative review process, which includes an endorsement from their College Possible advising specialist and confirmation of financial need through FAFSA completion.
The following College Possible Omaha students were awarded scholarships:
- Alida, South Dakota State University ’29, agricultural science
- Elijah, Nebraska Wesleyan University ’29, architecture and interior design
- Grace, University of Nebraska Omaha ’27, business administration
- Kobe, Texas Southern University ’27, criminal justice
- Romina, College of Saint Mary ’28, biological and biomedical sciences
- Tyrese, high school class of 2023, University of Nebraska Lincoln, computer science
While scholarships are often thought of as a way to cover tuition, this award is intentionally designed to support the full reality of being a college student.
From buying a laptop to covering course-related expenses, the scholarship provides flexible support that helps students stay focused on what matters most: earning their degree.
A Partnership Rooted in Opportunity
The scholarship is made possible by The Simple Foundation, an Omaha-based nonprofit dedicated to uplifting vulnerable youth, including refugees. Founded in 2014, the organization works to break cycles of poverty and cultural hurdles by providing a bridge to success through multifaceted community programming.
Through their work, The Simple Foundation has become an anchor institution in North and South Omaha, partnering with organizations like College Possible Omaha to ensure students have the coaching and support needed to navigate higher education.
“The partnership between College Possible Omaha and The Simple Foundation ensures a student’s potential is never limited by their bank account,” said Aminatu Issaka, senior director of programs at College Possible Omaha. “By sending funds directly to students, we aren’t just paying bills; we’re fueling their focus and honoring their hard work. With that being said, this scholarship delivers direct, flexible funding to students, making certain their focus remains on their degrees, not their debts.”
For College Possible students, the scholarship is one more layer of support that helps make college not just possible, but sustainable.
College Possible Omaha is grateful for The Simple Foundation’s continued partnership and investment in students. Their commitment to providing direct financial support, and awarding students in our program, is helping ensure more students have what they need to persist through college and achieve their goals.
