Partnership with Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska and Odyssey to bring new options to Nebraska families
Today Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese announced the rollout of LB 1402, a groundbreaking initiative designed to help Nebraska students by updating the state’s educational scholarship system to enhance accessibility and efficiency for families. The initiative was developed in partnership with Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska (“OSN”) and education technology leader, Odyssey.
Passed earlier this year by the Nebraska Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen, LB 1402 will allow low-income, special needs, and other categories of students the opportunity to attend a private school of their family’s choosing. The initiative addresses long-standing challenges in educational equity and access.
“Access to high-quality K-12 education is a fundamental right, essential to our children’s development and community success,” Briese said. “This program will tackle systemic barriers, particularly in underserved and rural areas, and allow parents to nurture their children’s learning opportunities. This effort exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in driving educational change. Thanks to OSN and Odyssey, my office is leading the way towards a more equitable and effective educational future.”
The Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office will partner with Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska to promote the program to parents of qualified students seeking scholarship support.
“Nebraska’s new Educations Scholarships are already giving hope to countless families across the state,” said OSN Executive Director Jeremy Ekeler. “We hear from parents every day who are desperate for more educational options for their children but simply can’t afford them. OSN is excited to connect families, especially those who have only dreamed of this opportunity, with the many quality accredited and approved nonpublic schools in Nebraska to find the best fit for their child.”
Odyssey, a pioneer in school choice technology, will play a crucial role in this collaboration, reflecting OSN’s commitment to advancing educational choice programs. A targeted outreach campaign will inform schools and parents about eligibility and application details, which will open later this month. The signup process will be managed through Odyssey’s platform, with student enrollment following application processing.
Joseph Connor, CEO and founder of Odyssey, stated, “We are thrilled to help Nebraska families access high-quality education through this innovative program. Our goal is to leverage best-in-class technology to make educational resources and choices more accessible than ever.” He continued, “Our expert team has created an easy-to-use platform that simplifies the parent experience and supports state partners. By rigorously vetting schools and adhering to state guidelines, we are committed to providing equitable access to educational opportunities.”
Parents interested in learning more about eligibility and qualifications for Nebraska’s Education Scholarships can visit nebraskaopportunity.org/lb1402 to sign up for updates.
About Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska
Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska “(OSN)” is a state-approved scholarship granting organization and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps implement the Opportunity Scholarships Act (LB753). OSN does this by empowering parents to choose the best educational setting for their children through awarding nonpublic school tuition scholarships and providing access to school options. For more information, please visit nebraskaopportunity.org/lb1402.
About Odyssey
Odyssey is a mission-driven technology company that collaborates with state agencies to help families access high-quality education for their children. Odyssey works directly with states, vendors, and parents to support school choice programs, including education savings accounts (ESAs) and vouchers, by disbursing state-approved funding for tuition expenses, tutors, technology, software, curriculum, and more. To date, Odyssey’s technology has helped more than 140,000 students access over $400 million in state funding. For more information, please visit www.withodyssey.com.