First-Year Scholarships

For the 2024-25 academic year, eligible North Dakota and Minnesota students with family income levels of $80,000 or less and are Pell-eligible will have base tuition and student fees fully covered through the NDSU Tuition Award Program if they are in their first or second year at NDSU. Learn more by visiting www.ndsu.edu/tuition-award-program.

The final day for Guaranteed Scholarship Consideration is February 1. By this deadline:

• Students must be admitted with an official high school transcript and test score (if applicable) received by NDSU
  • Official scholarship offers are based on the GPA and test score on file by this deadline
  • Failure to submit an official high school transcript and test score by this deadline will result in loss of any Guaranteed Scholarship Offer.
• NDSU does not upgrade scholarships for GPA changes occurring after this deadline.
• Students admitted after this deadline with an official high school transcript and test score on file will be considered for Guaranteed Scholarships on a funds-available basis.

Criteria: In addition to Guaranteed Scholarships, students may also apply for Named Scholarships which are awarded based on variable criteria such as academic merit or major.

Step 1: Claim your N.D. University System (NDUS) Account

In order to apply for additional Named Scholarships, you must use your N.D. University system account. Not sure if you've claimed your NDUS account? Click here to verify.

*Apple devices must have Content & Privacy Restrictions disabled when activating accounts. Click Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 2: Apply for Additional NDSU Scholarships

After claiming your N.D. University System Account, use it to log into the NDSU Scholarship Portal. Then, complete the General and First-Year scholarship application and click submit.

• Most of NDSU’s additional Named Scholarships are “Auto-Match.” This means you only need to submit the General scholarship application to be considered. For maximum consideration, applicants should also complete the First-Year scholarship application.
• A few of NDSU’s additional Named Scholarships are “Apply-To.” You may see these listed as “Recommended Opportunities” after you submit your General and First-Year scholarship application. Review your recommended opportunities and apply.
• NDSU scholarships recipients will be notified after the February 1 scholarship deadline.

Step 1: Claim your N.D. University System (NDUS) Account

In order to accept NDSU Guaranteed and/or Named scholarships, you must use your N.D. University system account. Not sure if you've claimed your NDUS account? Click here to verify.

*Apple devices must have Content & Privacy Restrictions disabled when activating accounts. Click Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 2: Accept NDSU Scholarships

After claiming your N.D. University System Account, use it to log into the NDSU Scholarship Portal. Then, review your scholarship offer/s and accept them.

Highlighted below are just a few of our Named Scholarships – click here for full listing. 
Deadline: Must be admitted and submit the online scholarship application by February 1

National Merit Finalist Award
Amount: $20,000 over four years ($5,000/year for maximum of 4 years)
Criteria: Awarded to National Merit Semi-Finalists who reach Finalist status and notify National Merit Scholarship Corporation of NDSU as their final choice
Deadline: Must be admitted to NDSU by February 1

Harry D. McGovern Scholarship
Amount: Up to full-time undergraduate base tuition
Criteria: Awarded to high achieving students with declared STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) – related field
Deadline: Must be admitted and submit online scholarship application by February 1

Mildred Larson Business Presidential Scholarship
Amount: $6,000 ($1,500/year for maximum of 4 years)
Criteria: Awarded to high academic achieving entering freshmen with a declared major in the College of Business
Deadline: Must be admitted and submit online scholarship application by February 1

NDSU Academic Award
Amount: Up to half of in-state tuition awarded in first year
Criteria: Awarded to high academic achieving students who are North Dakota residents with a declared major in the colleges of: College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources; Business; Engineering; Health Professions; or Science and Mathematics
Deadline: Must be admitted and submit online scholarship application by February 1

Doosan/Bobcat Award
Amount: $8,000 ($2,000/year for maximum of 4 years)
Criteria: Awarded to high academic achieving students entering freshman year with a declared major in specific engineering, math and science majors
Deadline: Must be admitted and submit online scholarship application by February 1

NDSU Opportunity Award
Amount: Half of North Dakota tuition rate for first year of full-time enrollment
Criteria: Awarded to eligible North Dakota residents who complete the General and First-Year scholarship application. Consideration may be given to a student who has an interest in entrepreneurial pursuits and/or new technology.
Deadline: Must be admitted and submit online scholarship application by February 1

Amount: Up to $8,000 for 4 years
Criteria: Students from historically underrepresented populations are eligible to apply for these competitive awards. Priority awarding to: students with high financial need, enrolled members or direct descendants of federally recognized tribes and first-generation students. Click here for complete details
Deadline: Must be admitted to NDSU and submit Cultural Diversity Tuition Waiver application by March 15. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted by March 15.