Nebraska College Cost Contribution Estimator

No, Nebraska courts cannot order divorced parents to pay for their child's college education. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-364, child support obligations end when the child reaches Nebraska's age of majority at 19. Nebraska is one of only three states that explicitly prohibits court-ordered post-majority educational support. However, parents can voluntarily agree to college contribution terms in their divorce settlement, and those agreements are enforceable.

Since Nebraska courts cannot order college support, factors only matter for voluntary agreements negotiated between parents. When drafting enforceable terms, parents typically consider each parent's income and earning capacity, the child's academic performance and chosen field of study, whether costs are capped at in-state public university rates, and how 529 plan funds will be applied. Courts will enforce whatever specific terms parents agree to in writing.

There is no statutory cap because Nebraska has no college contribution statute. Parents must negotiate caps themselves in their divorce agreement. Common approaches include limiting contributions to University of Nebraska in-state tuition (approximately $10,000-$12,000 per year), requiring the child to maintain a minimum GPA, setting a 4-year or 5-year time limit, and specifying whether room and board is included or just tuition and books.

Under federal FAFSA rules effective 2024-25, the parent who provided the most financial support during the prior 12 months completes the application—regardless of custody arrangements. If that parent has remarried, the stepparent's income and assets must also be reported on the FAFSA. Any child support or alimony received from the non-custodial parent must be included. Nebraska students follow these uniform federal guidelines.

In Nebraska's equitable distribution system, 529 education savings plans acquired during the marriage are typically treated as marital property subject to division. Courts have discretion to award 529 plans to either parent or divide them, often considering which parent will provide primary support for the child's education. The account owner retains control over withdrawals and beneficiary changes, so divorce agreements should specify who maintains ownership and how funds must be used.

Yes, and this is the only way to create enforceable college contribution obligations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Supreme Court in Wood v. Wood, 266 Neb. 580 (2003), upheld a divorce settlement requiring a father to pay half of college expenses through a bachelor's degree. Your agreement should include specific terms: percentage each parent pays, cost caps, eligible schools, covered expenses (tuition, books, room and board), academic requirements, and age or duration limits.

Nebraska does not require any college contribution—public or private—because courts lack statutory authority to order post-majority educational support. If parents want to address private school costs, they must include specific terms in their divorce agreement. Many Nebraska settlements cap contributions at University of Nebraska in-state tuition rates, with parents voluntarily agreeing to split additional private school costs if they choose.

Nebraska child support legally terminates at age 19 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2101, and no court-ordered college support can extend beyond that date. However, voluntary agreements in divorce settlements can extend obligations through college graduation. In Wood v. Wood, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that settlement language covering 'education after high school, including college' unambiguously meant support through a four-year bachelor's degree, regardless of the child's age.