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Career Scholars Program: Grand Island

Receive a generous scholarship package, and work at a job in your field for college credit during your senior year while living in Grand Island, Neb.
Apply by April 1, 2024, for the 2024-25 school year.

Reimagining cooperative education

Cooperative education is a method of combining classroom education with real work experience for college credit. At its core, the Grand Island cohort of Career Scholars Program supports workforce and economic development in Nebraska. To participate, you must be passionate about earning a degree in one of the eligible fields, and you must be committed to remain in the Grand Island region. Throughout the program, you'll participate in career readiness activities. During your senior year, you'll live in the Grand Island area with your peers. This living experience will help you socially connect with the community and gain an appreciation for the many exciting social and cultural opportunities available in the city of Grand Island. Upon graduation, the goal is for you to be hired into full-time positions in Nebraska.

Cooperative education program benefits:

  • Receive a scholarship ranging from $5,000 up to $15,000 per year to cover tuition and housing
  • Earn college credit while getting paid to work during your senior year
  • Gain real-world experience in your career field
  • Network with businesses to find and secure meaningful employment after graduation
  • Practice skills learned in class
  • Develop relationships with like-minded students in a community living environment
  • Discover your place after college and grow into a vibrant community

Program details

Eligible fields of study:

Business Administration

Computer Information Systems

Computer Science

Criminal Justice

Education

  • Select education programs are eligible by approval. Please contact Dr. Michael Keibler at [email protected] for details.

Industrial Technology

Mass Communication

Speech Communication

 

Learn by doing

Your journey as a cooperative education student begins your freshman year at Wayne State College. During your time here, you’ll participate in career readiness activities, including business site visits and job shadowing, all while learning the fundamentals of professional practice. After three years on campus at Wayne State, you’ll complete your senior year while living in Grand Island, Nebraska, where you’ll be hired and mentored by one of our participating business cohorts. You’ll earn 18 credit hours while working 30-40 hours per week at a paid job using skills relevant to your degree.

  Icon droparrow programs

Freshman year

  • Receive a $5,000 scholarship
  • Reside in a living-learning community
  • Team-based case study
  • Fundamentals of professional practice
  • Vital transferable skills

Sophomore year

  • Recieve a $6,000 scholarship
  • On-campus residence life
  • Professional development
  • Self-development
  • Collegiate entrepreneurship
  • Employer engagement

Junior year

  • Receive a $7,000 scholarship
  • Develop career readiness skills
  • Employer site visits
  • Job interviews
  • Senior onboarding experience

Senior year

  • Receive a scholarship up to $15,000
  • Cooperative education
  • 30-40 hours paid work week
  • Live and work in Grand Island
  • Live in provided housing
  • Mentor junior cohorts

Get a full-time job earning a competitive wage by the time you graduate

Explore different employers, make money, and earn college credit while working in your chosen career field. The Career Scholars Program offers a full-ride tuition scholarship during your senior year of college. You'll get to live in a community with your peers and friends you've already made, and you'll get to live in a town that's committed to cultivating an environment for young professionals to live and thrive.

 

Grand Island ballfields

 

 

Together, we can grow Grand Island

The Grand Island region is committed to retaining its young professionals - our future workforce. The city's downtown has undergone a transformative process over the last 10 years, making it the hottest place to shop, eat, and gather with friends. Through the Grow Grand Island initiative, the region is actively pursuing new ways to achieve growth and progress for the area.

Learn More About Grow Grand Island

Questions? Contact:

Dr. Michael Keibler
Executive Director of Cooperative Education, Industry Liaison
Hahn Administration, Room 208
402-375-7198
[email protected]