Offering opportunities for positive change to individuals, families & communities.

“I honestly think that I would not be where I’m at today without the PALS and ETV program and staff. I’m getting ready to graduate from college, have a job, and live in my own apartment. My ETV and PALS workers have given me the tools necessary to succeed in life. I’m excited for my future”. 
~ Callie, ETV & PALS youth

Education & Training Voucher Program (ETV)

Helping Youth Succeed

Whatever path you choose for continuing post-high school education—on-the-job training, community college or university, or securing a specialized certificate—seize new opportunities to discover and explore interests, expand your knowledge, take on new challenges, and experience the pride of achievement.

In the EDUCATION and TRAINING VOUCHER PROGRAM, we believe every single one of you has something that you’re good at. Each individual has something to offer. You have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.


Central Plains Center for Services, through a contracted partnership with the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, administers the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program. This program provides financial assistance for tuition, fees and books, as well as one-on-one support, for current and former state wards to attend college. 


The following information highlights many new and exciting elements of Nebraska’s Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program. However none are more important than the voices of the former state wards that are currently moving their lives forward due to the support of the ETV program.  On the left side are selected comments from some of the students:

The ETV program provides financial assistance, as well as one-on-one support, for current and former state wards to attend the college of their choice. The ETV program provides students up to $2,600 per year for tuition, fees, and books. A hallmark of our ETV program is the direct support each youth receives.


We continue to have regular in-person, phone or email contact with 100% of the youth to discuss whatever needs the youth identifies. This could include class scheduling, funding, housing, relationships, etc, however in many cases our main purpose is providing ongoing encouragement in recognizing what the youth has already accomplished and what they can accomplish.These contacts are provided not only by the ETV coordinator, but by the Central Plains Center for Services staff located across the state to support, problem-solve, encourage and assist the youth in addressing the many obstacles they face that challenge their ability to be successful in school.


100% of the ETV youth have a support system in place. The ETV staff has worked hard to link the ETV youth to the campus support services. All of the schools have excellent services and many of our students receive tremendous support through them.


How do I know if I have been accepted into the ETV Program?


Once your application is received at our office, our Scholarship Coordinators, Kris Hook or Deena Gibson, will contact you by phone to review the application as well as review with you the services ETV will be able to provide. For questions please contact Central Plains Center for Services.


Other Youth Funding

Central Plains Center for Services staff has done a tremendous job on increasing the use of other funds for the ETV youth college expenses. Examples of this include:

  • Pell Grant: Since the program started every youth has applied for this federal needs based grant. 
    This amount is prorated based on the number of hours being taken.
  • SEOG: This Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is also a federally funded needs based grant and is on a first come first served basis. As the year progresses available funds become less and the later a youth applies the less money may be available.
  • Nebraska State Grant: This is a state funded needs based grant.
  • University of Nebraska – College Bound Nebraska: University funded and is needs based. This program is available through the Nebraska Universities. If a youth is pell eligible and has applied for their pell grant and applied to the University of their choice by April 1st of the current academic year their tuition and fees, above the pell amount, are covered by College Bound Nebraska.
  • Scholarships including Susan Buffet Scholarship, EducationQuest, Orphan Foundation, as well as many local, state and national scholarships.

Your Journey Starts Now!
Get connected to a ETV worker to help you build the foundation for your INDEPENDENT future! The Central Plains Center for Services staff is committed to your success!

Central Plains Center for Services

Program Contacts:

Kris Hook, Scholarship Coordinator
402-968-1559
Deena Gibson, Scholarship Coordinator
308-749-2580 (Broken Bow)

Ann Lenz, Education Specialist

402-990-3296 (Omaha)