Guaranteed Scholarships

Guaranteed Scholarships are automatically awarded to new first-year and transfer students based on academic criteria and scholarship deadlines.

First-Year students admitted to NDSU who submit a final official high school transcript by July 1 are guaranteed a minimum scholarship amount based on the criteria below.
Academic Requirements Minimum Scholarship Amount
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)
Scholarship Deadline: 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.
Note: If you receive a renewable scholarship exceeding the guaranteed minimum amount, the higher award will replace the lower one (not be added to it).
Transfer students with at least 12 transferable credits completed, who are admitted to NDSU by August 1 (for fall semester) or December 1 (for spring semester), who are working towards their first bachelor's degree, are guaranteed a minimum scholarship based on the criteria below.
Academic Requirements Minimum Scholarship Amount
3.5-4.0 GPA$2,000 (renewable for one additional year)
3.0-3.49 GPA$1,000 (renewable for one additional year)
Note: Students transferring to NDSU after attending another college or university for one semester or less may be considered for First-Year Guaranteed Scholarships.
Note: If you receive a renewable scholarship exceeding the guaranteed minimum amount, the higher award will replace the lower one (not be added to it).

Additional Named Scholarships

In addition to Guaranteed Scholarships, all students are encouraged to apply for Named Scholarships which are awarded based on a variety of criteria such as academic merit or major.

The 2026-27 scholarship application is now open.

Explore Named Scholarships Apply For Scholarships

Named Scholarship Examples

National Merit Finalist

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

Land Grant Access Award

North Dakota State University recognizes the benefits that a diverse student body has on all members of the NDSU community. As one of the land grant institutions in North Dakota, NDSU remains committed to our mission of providing an accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to students.

A photo of Churchill Field on the NDSU campus

NDSU North Dakota Native American Scholarship Match

NDSU students who receive the North Dakota Native American Scholarship may be eligible for a $2,000/year scholarship match.

multicultural students studying together

Admission

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