Originally formed in 1976, Nebraskans amended the state constitution in 1990 to create a new Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education with increased duties and responsibilities. Those duties and responsibilities now include:

• Creating and putting into action a comprehensive statewide plan to guide Nebraska’s higher education system
• Partnering with Legislators to develop innovative and results-driven higher education policy
• Helping low-income Nebraska students attend college by awarding need-based financial aid and developing state financial aid strategy
• Administering the Community College Gap Assistance Program, which offers financial aid to students who want to work in high-need fields
• Ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer funds by approving or disapproving  postsecondary construction projects that rely on tax funds
• Approving or disapproving academic programs based on specific criteria
• Assembling and analyzing statewide data and publishing reports tied to the state’s higher education goals
• Administering State appropriations to Nebraska’s six community colleges
• Helping teachers and underserved populations through the administration of federal education grants
• Saving Nebraska colleges and universities thousands of dollars through the administration of a nationwide distance learning agreement on behalf of the state.