Nelnet makes $10,000 honor gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters

Jan 12, 2006

Contact: Sheila Odom
402.458.2329
nelnetcommunications@nelnet.net

For immediate release Lincoln, Neb., January 11, 2006 – Today, Nelnet (NYSE: NNI) announced its donation of a $10,000 honor gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The gift was made on behalf of Nelnet's customers, partners, and business associates in support of community education services. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children reach their potential through one to one mentoring relationships that are professionally supported. The organization serves children ages 6 through 18 in all 50 states. National research has shown that the positive relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters have a direct, measurable, and lasting impact on children's lives. Nelnet is one of the leading education finance companies in the United States and offers student loan origination, repayment, and consolidation services, as well as university business solutions.

"Nelnet's charitable contributions are a very important part of our vision to make educational dreams possible for our nation's young people," commented Steve Butterfield, co-Chief Executive Officer. "We selected Big Brothers Big Sisters as the recipient of this honor gift to support that organization's youth service and educational goals that align so closely with our own."

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About Nelnet

Nelnet is one of the leading education finance companies in the United States and is focused on providing quality products and services to students and schools nationwide. Nelnet ranks among the nation's leaders in terms of total net student loan assets with $16.4 billion as of September 30, 2005. Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, Nelnet originates, consolidates, securitizes, holds, and services student loans, principally loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information is available at www.nelnet.net.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest, and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. It helps children reach their potential through one to one relationships, professionally supported, with measurable results. The organization serves 225,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. National research shows that the positive relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters have a direct, measurable, and lasting impact on children's lives. The national office is located in Philadelphia.

Additional information is available at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.