x3knet,

So you're looking to get a scholarship so you don't have to spend the money you're getting from your loan and so you can hand it right back to them?

Perhaps you can try a combination of scholarship/financial aids and... getting a job? I know people who work part time with college life (remember, you're only in your freshman year so you're still on General Ed) and use that to maintain a steady job. You're in Nebraska, shouldn't be too hard to find a good job where you can put in about 20-30 hours a week.

25 hours a week * $10/hr = $250 - tax = ~$200 * 35wks/yr = $7,000 a year * 2 years = $14,000 to help your debt...

And now imagine that equation working at some part-time office gig with $12/hr plus bonus overtime, and 40 weeks a year (You should keep to <3-5 hours a day during the week, and 8 on weekends). This last situation would nearly double the situation before.

And yes, I know someone who did roughly just this to pay back a college loan and he's now finished with his Bachelors and going towards his Masters in Computer Science.
Regards,
Patrick