Apr 28, 2014 03:07 PM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Doane College in Nebraska will begin paying students and alumni who refer new students to its School of Graduate and professional Studies, the Associated Press reported.

The school's Refer-A-Friend program demonstrates their appreciation to "alumni and current students for recommending a Doane education to other adult learners," university officials said in a statement.

"Many of the more than 4,000 undergraduate alumni of Doane College's School of Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) chose Doane through the recommendations of alumni and current students," school officials said. "This is the highest compliment that can be paid to the Doane experience - and the college wants to return the favor."

Students applying to one of Doane's Graduate and Professional Studies campuses in Grand Island, Lincoln or Omaha will be asked to indicate whether they have been referred, and by whom.  Once referred students pass their first class, the college provides a $100 Doane College Bookstore Gift Card to the referrer.

Those referring can't receive more than five gift cards per term. This means they can receive up to $500 for five new referred students per term.

"Doane is honored by our student and alumni recommendations, and their contribution toward building an outstanding campus community," school officials said. "It's part of the reason Doane College has been a leader in adult education since the founding of the first GPS campus in Lincoln over 30 years ago. Since that time, the School of Graduate and Professional Studies expanded into Grand Island and Omaha as well."

This new program comes on the heels of another GPS Program announced last week.

The Kick Start Program waives tuition for new students' first undergraduate class at Doane's Omaha campus (up to three credit hours or $768). Students also have an investment. The application and program set-up is $85 as well any textbook costs or class specific fees.

Complete guidelines on the Refer-A-Friend program can be found online at doane.edu/refer-a-friend.

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