LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS) today released a comprehensive evaluation of the Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program, offering the most detailed analysis to date of student participation, demographics, and post secondary outcomes. The report supports the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (CCPE) and its partners in understanding the program’s impact and planning future investments to strengthen early college opportunities for Nebraska students. 

  The evaluation finds that ACE participants are more likely to enroll in college, more likely to persist once enrolled, and — among students at Nebraska’s community colleges — more likely to complete a credential and to do so more quickly than their non-ACE peers. Additional findings note that more than half of ACE recipients come from urban counties, over 40% attend schools serving low-income neighborhoods, and two-thirds of participants are female, reflecting the program’s reach across diverse student populations. 

  “This evaluation reflects the careful, collaborative work of NSWERS and our statewide partners to provide clear, reliable information that supports decision making across Nebraska’s higher education institutions. We appreciate Dr. Mike Baumgartner and the Coordinating Commission for their foresight in requesting this evaluation in support of Nebraska student success,” said Dr. Matt Hastings, NSWERS Executive Director.

  Academic performance indicators show that ACE participants take more high school credit hours than their peers and graduate high school at high rates (98%). ACE also expands access to early college coursework for students who may not otherwise participate, and participants demonstrate strong engagement and persistence once enrolled in college. 

  The ACE Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income high school students to take college courses through dual or early enrollment. In the 2023–24 academic year, ACE supported students across 19 post secondary institutions and 192 high schools, helping reduce barriers to early college participation.