by Rebecca Baskerville | Education Abroad Office
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The Education Abroad Office, in partnership with the UNL Passport Office, has launched its first Husker Passport Giveaway initiative to help 100 University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate students obtain their first passport.
To be considered for a free passport, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, an active UNL undergraduate student in Fall 2019 and Spring 2020, and applying for their first US passport. Priority will be given to first generation college students with financial need, who have two or more semesters remaining before graduation, and plan to participate in an education abroad program.
The application opened on September 17, the day of the annual Education Abroad Fair, and will close on November 1, 2019. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, “first-come, first-served” basis, so students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. All applicants will be notified of their status by November 15.
Inspired by similar events across the U.S., such as the Passport Caravan sponsored by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), the Husker Passport Giveaway aims to break down one financial and logistical barrier to studying abroad. The cost of obtaining a passport is approximately $175 after factoring in applications fees, photos and shipping. Nebraska’s affiliated partners API, Arcadia, DIS, ISA, SIT and the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center have each sponsored a passport in support of the initiative.
“In addition to the cost, the paperwork aspect of applying for a passport can be a bit overwhelming, especially for busy students,” said Education Abroad Director Rebecca Baskerville. “The Education Abroad staff will cover all costs directly and walk recipients through the process to make it feel more manageable. We are also fortunate to have the UNL Passport Office as a great resource right on campus.”
The document checks with Education Abroad and the passport appointments at the UNL Passport Office will occur in mid- to late-January 2020. Students should have their passports by late March 2020. Requests for earlier appointments will be considered for those with specific travel plans.
While recipients are not obligated to study abroad, the Education Abroad Office hopes that the passport will “burn a hole in their pockets” and inspire them to take the leap during their undergraduate careers. An adult U.S. passport is valid for ten years, so recipients will have plenty of time to make use of this important document.
For more information about the Husker Passport Giveaway, please visit the application page or contact the Education Abroad Office at 402-472-5358 or educationabroad@unl.edu.