Navigating North Dakota State Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Pursuing higher education in North Dakota can be made more accessible through various state scholarship programs. These scholarships aim to support students in achieving their academic goals, whether at universities, colleges, professional schools, or registered apprenticeship programs within the state. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the different scholarship opportunities available, eligibility requirements, and application processes.

Understanding Guaranteed Scholarships at NDSU

North Dakota State University (NDSU) offers Guaranteed Scholarships to incoming first-year and transfer students based on academic performance. These scholarships are automatically awarded to students who meet the specified criteria and deadlines.

First-Year Students

For first-year students admitted to NDSU, submitting a final official high school transcript by July 1 guarantees a minimum scholarship amount. The scholarship amount is determined by the student's cumulative high school GPA:

3.98-4.00 GPA or 3.0+ GPA & 30+ ACT (1370+ SAT): $3,000/year (maximum of four years)
3.80-3.97 GPA: $2,000/year (maximum of four years)
3.65-3.79 GPA: $1,500/year (maximum of four years)
3.0-3.64 GPA: $1,000/year (maximum of four years)

Students who submit the scholarship application on or before February 1 may be considered for additional one-time awards and higher-value renewable scholarships. All admitted students are encouraged to apply through the NDSU Scholarship Portal. If a student receives a renewable scholarship exceeding the guaranteed minimum amount, the higher award will replace the lower one.

Transfer Students

Transfer students with at least 12 transferable credits completed, who are admitted to NDSU by August 1 (for the fall semester) or December 1 (for the spring semester), and are working towards their first bachelor's degree, are guaranteed a minimum scholarship based on the following criteria:

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3.5-4.0 GPA: $2,000 (renewable for one additional year)
3.0-3.49 GPA: $1,000 (renewable for one additional year)

Students transferring to NDSU after attending another college or university for one semester or less may be considered for First-Year Guaranteed Scholarships.

Named Scholarships at NDSU

In addition to Guaranteed Scholarships, students are encouraged to apply for Named Scholarships, which are awarded based on a variety of criteria such as academic merit or major. The scholarship application window is open from October 1 through September 30 each year. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.

National Merit Finalist Scholarship at NDSU

NDSU also offers a scholarship to National Merit Semi-Finalists who reach Finalist status and notify the National Merit Scholarship Corporation of NDSU as their final choice. This scholarship provides $20,000 over four years ($5,000/year for a maximum of 4 years).

The New North Dakota Scholarship: Aligning with Choice Ready

The North Dakota Scholarship, created during the 2021 Legislative Session by SB 2289, aims to align scholarship requirements with the Choice Ready initiative. This scholarship will gradually replace the current Academic and CTE Scholarships. Students graduating in 2024 could use either the old (Academic/CTE Scholarship) requirements or the new North Dakota Scholarship requirements. Starting with the graduating class of 2025, students can only use the new North Dakota Scholarship requirements.

The North Dakota Scholarship is worth $6,000 and can be used at approved colleges, universities, professional schools, and registered apprenticeship programs in North Dakota.

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Components of the North Dakota Scholarship

The North Dakota Scholarship has several components:

Essential Skills: All students must fulfill the requirements of the essential skills in order to be eligible for the scholarship.
Post-Secondary Ready, Workforce Ready, and Military: Students must meet 2 of those 3 components to be eligible.

Any student that meets the essential skill requirements, as well as 2 of the 3 (Post-Secondary Ready, Workforce Ready, and Military Ready) components, qualifies for the North Dakota Scholarship. Public schools need to ensure that the correct indicators are marked when they complete the Choice Ready report for each student. The due date for schools to complete the Choice Ready report is June 30.

Verifying Indicators for the North Dakota Scholarship

To verify indicators for the North Dakota Scholarship:

Public schools need to ensure that the correct indicators are marked when they complete the Choice Ready report for each student. The due date for schools to complete the Choice Ready report is June 30.
Create a ND login and password. Do not use a login or password assigned to another individual. Click on Register Now.
Complete the document. Write down the login and password and keep in a safe place.
Log back into Scholarship Application. Enter login and password, complete the application, and print a copy of the application prior to submission. Application must be submitted on or before June 5, 2026. No applications will be accepted after June 6, 2025.
After approval, notify the ND University System (NDUS) of any changes.
Students not attending a North Dakota College or University must call the NDUS at (701) 877-5719 to reinstate the scholarship prior to college/university enrollment.

A list of scholarship awardees will be forwarded to the NDUS. The NDUS will then disburse money to the financial aid office at each ND college/university. This is done after enrollment is verified following the campus’s financial aid census date. The money will be sent to the campus financial aid office each term.

A student does not have to reapply for the scholarship each term. It is automatically renewed if the student is enrolled full time, maintains a cumulative 2.75 GPA reviewed each term, and makes adequate progress towards degree completion, as defined by NDCC 15.1-21-2.6.

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Seniors who take the ACT for scholarship eligibility after the national ACT testing date in March must send their official test results to NDDPI.

For students who are home-educated, please submit the following information to NDDPI:

Online Scholarship Application.
A copy of ACT, WorkKeys or ASVAB score report.
Complete this form at the end of the school year with the course titles of all courses grades 9-12 and the grade earned by the student.
Complete the form, sign, have notarized, and submit.
Completed copy of home education verification form for ND Scholarship. Complete form, sign, have notarized, and submit.

North Dakota Academic and Career and Technical Education Scholarships

The North Dakota state legislature established two scholarship programs: the North Dakota Academic Scholarship and the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Scholarship. Any resident student who graduates from high school and meets the criteria is eligible to apply for these scholarships. The scholarship amount is $750 per semester, or $500 per quarter, for a total annual payment of $1500.

Eligibility for initial and subsequent disbursements are based on full-time enrollment at an accredited higher education institution in North Dakota (both public and private), maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, and progression toward degree completion. "Full-time" has the same meaning as the term is defined by the institution the student is attending.

To be eligible for these scholarships, students must meet specific academic requirements, including:

Ninety-nine credits after disbursement seven.
1 credit of an AP course and completion of the AP exam in that course, or either 1/2 credit or 1 credit in a dual credit course.
Receive a composite score of at least 24 on an ACT no later than the February ACT test date of your senior year or score at least 5 on each of the three WorkKeys assessments (Workplace Documents, Graphic Literacy & Applied Mathematics).

Students who are eligible for the Career and Technical Education Scholarship due to scores earned on the WorKeys assessments, must also send a copy of their score reports to the ND Department of Public Instruction, 600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 201, Bismarck, ND, 58505-0440 or fax to: ND Academic or CTE Scholarship Program (701)328-0201.

Additional Scholarship and Grant Programs

Residents of North Dakota who have graduated from a North Dakota high school may be eligible for a variety of scholarships or grants made available through the North Dakota University System. These include:

The North Dakota Scholars program: A merit-based scholarship that provides scholarships to freshmen based on ACT scores. The scholarship at private institutions equals the average tuition at a North Dakota University System research university.
The North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant Program: Provides grants to North Dakota residents pursuing their undergraduate degree and who are attending a postsecondary institution in North Dakota.
The North Dakota Native American Scholarship program: Assists Native American students in obtaining a college education by providing scholarships.

Dollars for Scholars Program

North Dakota Dollars for Scholars also offers various scholarships. Scholarship awards range from $600 to $2,500. Applicants must be a graduate of a North Dakota high school. Students are invited to apply for scholarships between January 1 and April 1 each year.

Some specific scholarships offered through Dollars for Scholars include:

Brad Burgum Scholarship: $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors or returning college students in honor of Brad Burgum's years of service he gave to Central Cass Dollars for Scholars. Preference is given to students attending North Dakota State University.
Dr. Edward G. Scholarship: $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who excel in community service.
Vocational or Technical/Trade School Scholarship: $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student attending a vocational or technical/trade school. Applicant must have a 2.0 GPA or higher. Students pursuing mechanics, electrical, welding, and surveying will receive preference for scholarship. Preference will be given to students graduating from Central Cass High School.
Wahpeton High School Nursing Scholarship: $1,000 scholarship available to high school seniors with preference given to students graduating from Wahpeton High School. Applicants must be enrolling in a nursing program.
North Dakota Military Dependents Scholarship: $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to dependents of members of a North Dakota military unit/installation.
Renewable North Dakota Scholarship: $1,000 renewable scholarship is available to North Dakota students who are seniors in high school with a GPA of 2.5 - 3.25. Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education in North Dakota, including but not limited to trade and vocational programs.
Maddock and Leeds Area Scholarship: $600 scholarship available to high school seniors with preference given to students from the Maddock and Leeds area.
Education Degree Scholarship: $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing an education degree. Applicants must be majoring in a preK-12 education related field.

North Dakota Dollars for Scholars scholarships open January 1 and the application deadline is April 1. However, your local chapter may have a different deadline. By editing your profile, you will be matched to scholarships to which you meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Visit the My Scholarships section of your profile to view and apply for scholarships to which you have been matched. Click each scholarship to answer additional questions and to submit an online application.

NDSCS Admission Application

To apply for scholarships at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), students must complete the NDSCS Admission Application and be admitted. This requires submitting an in-progress transcript from your current high school and college transcripts, if applicable. Students must also activate their New Student Technology online accounts.

ND Career Builders Program

Through the ND Career Builders program, students can receive a scholarship on the front end, loan repayment on the back end, or both, for their commitment to fill a high-demand occupation. This innovative partnership provides $1 of state funds for each $1 of private-sector matching funds, up to a total of $17,000 per recipient! The program is a tool to keep talent in North Dakota and help businesses recruit employees in high-demand occupations.

The ND Career Builders program may provide matching funds for the ND Career Builders Scholarships. The program targets students in the last two years of their program if it leads to a high-need occupation in North Dakota.

Additional Financial Aid Opportunities

Beyond scholarships, students can explore other financial aid options to help fund their education. These include:

Federal Student Aid
Graduate Plus Loans
Private Educational Loans

Students facing unexpected financial hardships may also be eligible for emergency assistance. However, they must not have received other emergency assistance or funding within the current academic year.

Additional Scholarship Information

All scholarships are subject to change. It is important to check the specific requirements and deadlines for each scholarship program. Unless otherwise noted, scholarship applications typically require submission of official transcripts and, if required, official test scores by the specified deadlines (typically in October, January, or February).

Other Considerations

Any scholarships awarded are subject to NCAA rules for student-athletes.
Monetary gifts that do not require repayment or work may affect a student's financial aid package and may replace some or all of their financial aid eligibility.
There are specific scholarships available for family members killed in the line of duty.
Scholarships may be available for students pursuing a course of study in dentistry, optometry, or veterinary medicine.

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