The Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP) is a cooperative program between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The purpose is to recruit high school students from rural Nebraska and prepare them to return and practice healthcare in rural Nebraska. To apply, you must have applied and been admitted to UNK. Access the online application below and click on “Admitted Incoming Freshmen.” The KHOP application deadline is December 1.

Apply to KHOP

Contact


If you have questions about KHOP, contact UNK Health Sciences:

Peggy Abels, abelsp@unk.edu

Phone: 308-865-8260

Discover KHOP

Get an overview of the Kearney Health Opportunities Program and hear from students about why they chose to start their medical careers at UNK. View the brochure

Benefits of KHOP

  • Students selected for KHOP will receive a full tuition scholarship to UNK for up to 120 credit hours.
  • Students will follow a special curriculum and participate in professional development activities at UNK that will prepare them for their healthcare program at UNMC.
  • Students receive admission to their specified healthcare program at UNMC upon satisfactory completion of all requirements within the prescribed timeline.
  • Freshmen students are part of the KHOP Learning Community that includes a partial room scholarship. Situated in Centennial Towers West, this vibrant community unites KHOP students and provides four KHOP upperclassmen mentors, nurturing both their academic and personal growth. Students have the advantage of an instant study group of peers who are enrolled in similar courses. They can participate in a mentoring program and various professional development opportunities through CN AHEC.

 

Who Can Apply?

  • Have a sincere interest in becoming a healthcare provider in: Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Radiography, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant.
  • Have a willingness to practice healthcare in rural Nebraska.
  • Must receive a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Have scored a minimum ACT composite of 23 or above before the application deadline.
  • Must be a rural Nebraska resident. Students from the following cities and towns are not considered rural and therefore are not eligible: Omaha, Ralston, Boys Town, Elkhorn, Lincoln, Bellevue, Papillion, LaVista, Chalco, Offutt Air Force Base.*

How to Apply

  • The KHOP application deadline is December 1.
  • You must apply to UNK and be admitted before you can apply to KHOP.
  • Access the online application; click on “Admitted Incoming Freshmen.”
  • You must set up a user name and password to complete the online application.
  • If you have trouble logging into MyBLUE or have forgotten your NUID, contact the UNK Information Technology Help Desk at 308-865-8363.

Apply to KHOP

Mitchel Beeson

“KHOP has been one of the GREATEST parts of my UNK experience. We have a very tight-knit community that’s focused on helping each other. We have weekly meetings and multiple opportunities to visit hospitals and UNMC facilities. KHOP is an organization and experience that I would strongly recommend to any incoming student. You can tell that every KHOP student has a strong desire to succeed."

Mitchel Beeson

Pre-Nursing

*Special Note
The College of Dentistry, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, the College of Allied Health Professions, and College of Medicine at UNMC have all agreed on the rural residency status eligibility guidelines for the KHOP/RHOP Programs.