Nebraska Enrollment Option Program

Nebraska’s primary school choice mechanism for public schools is the Enrollment Option Program, which allows students to attend public schools outside their residential district.

Program Type: Statewide public school inter-district transfer

Tuition: $0 – Completely FREE. No tuition charged for option enrollment in public schools.

Who Can Use It: Students in grades K-12 can apply to attend a public school in a different district

How It Works:

1. Families apply to attend a public school outside their residential district
2. Applications accepted between September 1 and March 15 for the following school year
3. Receiving districts make decisions by April 1
4. If approved, student attends the chosen school tuition-free

Nebraska Enrollment Option Application Timeline:

• Application Window Opens: September 1
• Application Window Closes: March 15
• Decisions Made By: April 1
• For: Following school year (not current year)

Important Restriction – Limited Use:

• Each student may use the Enrollment Option Program THREE TIMES TOTAL:
  • Once during elementary school
  • Once during middle/junior high school
  • Once during high school
• This means families should choose carefully when to use the option
• Cannot transfer multiple times within the same school level

Nebraska Enrollment Option Eligibility:

• Generally open to all K-12 students
• Districts set capacity standards and may deny applications if at capacity
• Receiving districts have discretion to accept or deny based on space availability

Application Process:

1. Contact your resident school district’s enrollment office for application forms
2. Application forms available in English and Spanish
3. Submit application between September 1 and March 15
4. Wait for decision by April 1

What If My Preferred School Is At Capacity?

• The receiving school district may deny your application if space is unavailable
• You can reapply the following year (if you haven’t exhausted your uses at that school level)
• You can choose a different school district

Transportation:

• Policies vary by district
• Families should inquire about transportation availability when applying
• May be family’s responsibility to provide transportation to non-resident district

Contact Information:

• Nebraska Department of Education: (402) 450-1418 or (402) 450-0867
• Website: Nebraska Department of Education

Nebraska Enrollment Option Program – Official Information →