Policy Statement
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance and direction to the academic units (divisions and departments) in the College of Dentistry (COD) as it pertains to the use of tuition remissions. Tuition remissions are one mechanism available to assist the COD in meeting its enrollment goals. Tuition remissions are used strategically and in ways that are congruent with, and advance the mission of the COD and its constituent health profession education programs. Tuition remissions are used to attract students who have demonstrated superior academic performance, or other special or unique skills congruent with the mission of the COD, who are likely to choose to attend another institution were it not for receiving tuition remission.
Each year the COD Scholarship Committee will meet to establish these goals and make a determination regarding the distribution of tuition remissions among the COD constituent programs.
The policy ensures compliance with federal, state, and University of Nebraska Regents policies and regulations, and provides a standardized approach for the use of tuition remissions for all constituent programs in the COD. The policy adheres to, and supports the UNMC-wide policy on tuition remissions.
Definitions
For the purpose of this policy, tuition remissions shall be understood to be synonymous with tuition waivers and represent the reduction or elimination of tuition charges, for specific reasons and based on specific eligibility requirements.
This policy does not govern the use and distribution of externally funded scholarships.
Policy Oversight
The COD Associate Dean for Finance & Administration is responsible for providing oversight for all activities related to the use of tuition remissions, including but not limited to establishing an annual budget for tuition remissions, reconciling the annual budget for tuition remissions, monitoring the use and distribution of tuition remissions, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, University and UNMC rules and regulations pertaining to tuition remissions, and periodically reviewing and as necessary revising this policy.
Categories of Tuition Remission
Remissions Defined by Regents Policy
- Board of Regents Scholarship: Remission awarded to Nebraska residents only for high academic achievement. Professional and Graduate Regents Scholarships are determined by each campus. The COD awards Regents Scholarship remissions in accordance with the general standards set forth in Regents Policy (RP 5.8.5), with each health professions program able to award remissions to eligible students.
- Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship (NRTS): Remissions awarded to students admitted as non-residents of the State of Nebraska. The amount of remission may vary by student and by program within the COD, but cannot exceed the difference between resident and non-resident tuition. Awarding of NRTS follows the criteria established by Regents Policy (RP 5.8.3).
- University of Nebraska Employee Scholarships: Awarded to University employees or their dependents for up to 15 credit hours each academic year per Regents Policy (RP 3.2.6).
- Yellow Ribbon Tuition Waiver: Awarded to non-resident students who are veterans and eligible for the Post 9-11 GI Bill®. The COD will waive the difference between one-half of resident and non-resident tuition for eligible veterans. This amount varies by COD program.
Remissions Defined by State Law
- Veterans Dependent Tuition Waiver: A waiver of tuition, and in some instances fees for the dependents of Nebraska resident veterans who were permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty (see https://veterans.nebraska.gov/waiver-tuition-program).
- Military Reserve Tuition Waiver: A 50 percent tuition waiver for an active reservist (see https://veterans.nebraska.gov/reservist-tuition-credit-program).
- Line of Duty Dependent Education Benefit: (NE Statute 85-2304). A waiver for the children of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty, in the amount of the tuition and fees remaining after subtracting awarded federal financial aid grants and state scholarships and grants.
Procedures
Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria for Tuition Remission Programs
The University defines minimum eligibility requirements for tuition remissions. However, specific selection criteria as defined by the awarding division/department in the COD may be more, but not less, stringent than University minimums. Each division (unique health professions education program) in the COD will have specific and measurable written selection criteria for awarding the various types of tuition remissions. The criteria will be congruent with the COD criteria outlined in this policy. Each division in cooperation with the Associate Dean for Finance & Administration and the Associate Dean for Education, will ensure that each student has met all requirements before awarding the tuition remission, and document each tuition remission award on the UNMC Remission/Scholarship Disbursement Form (see Appendix A), for annual approval by the Dean of the COD and submission to the UNMC Office of the Controller and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Application Procedures and Selection Processes
The COD will have in place published documentation pertaining to application and selection processes used by the CAHP, including at a minimum, information advertising available remission programs, processes for application, criteria for selection and notification, and terms for renewal (if applicable). This documentation will be reviewed annually by the COD Associate Dean for Education, in consultation with the UNMC Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, and amended as necessary.
Out-of-State Student Scholarships
The UNMC COD scholarships are mission-driven scholarships that focus on fulfilling the mission of the 
COD to "continually improve the oral health of the people of Nebraska and beyond." The COD's mission flows from the UNMC mission which reads:
"We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care."
Consistent with UNMC's and the UNMC COD's missions, the 2020 COD first-year student scholarship 
promotes the inclusion and development of a dental workforce that reflects the people of Nebraska and beyond and encompasses all individuals and communities. Therefore, in awarding scholarships, the COD provides a comprehensive review of a candidate's portfolio, such as experiences, skills and personal attributes, and academic metrics, to create a class that will contribute to and benefit from the COD's and UNMC's learning climate and mission. Race, sex, color ethnicity, and national origin are excluded from the criteria.
Spirit of Resilience Scholarship (SRS)
Students awarded the SRS have faced and overcome hardships or unusual circumstances. Awarded students exhibit maturity, a spirit of determination in responding to and/or overcoming adversity and hardship. Other contextual factors that bear directly upon the applicant's selection, include socioeconomic and educational history, and parental education level, and other indicators of support available or unavailable in the home, school, or environment.
Non-Traditional Student Scholarship (NTSS)
The NTSS is awarded to a student who is responsible for the care of a legal dependent other than a spouse/partner OR has had at least a one-year break in their formal learning experience and will now be attending dental school.
Special consideration is given to a non-traditional student who has attended a community college, is or has been the primary breadwinner, veterans, and caregivers for children and/or parents or individuals for whom they have legal guardianship or responsibility.
Promoting Inclusive Communities Leadership Scholarship (PICLS)
The PICLS recognizes exemplary student accomplishments in fostering and supporting inclusive communities through extracurricular activities such as the performing arts or athletics; leadership in 
school or community organizations; employment; and volunteer service. This criterion is measured by time and depth of participation in leadership activities in which the student's actions, skills, or abilities 
help to further or enrich an inclusive climate in which people of all communities are respected and engaged in learning, service, research, teaching, work, or athletics.