NDSU’s Bison Win Program is comprised of multiple scholarships funded by generous donors who care deeply about your success at NDSU and after you graduate. Their goal is to provide you with a program so you can graduate with little to no debt upon graduation. The NDSU Green and Gold Scholarship, NDSU Academic Scholarship, NDSU Game Changer Scholarship, and B A Bison Scholarship make up the Bison Win scholarships.

Requirements and Important Details

All scholarships in this program are available to incoming students who meet the eligibility criteria determined by the donors. Students must:

  • Be from North Dakota.
  • Enroll full time as an incoming, degree-seeking undergraduate student.

Scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years if students maintain a 2.0 GPA and work expectations, outlined below. Students must work part-time during each fall and spring semester, and full-time during summer semesters.

More details on the eligibility criteria specific to each scholarship can be found in the NDSU Scholarship Portal by searching for the name of the scholarship. Because each scholarship in this program has varying eligibility criteria, students can only receive one.

This scholarship is guaranteed in the first year and will be renewed for up to three additional years if renewal requirements are met. This scholarship is available for fall and spring semesters, but excludes summer semesters.

The following requirements must be met each year to continue receiving this scholarship:

  1. Maintain a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA each semester.
  2. Maintain full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student (12 or more credits each spring and fall semester).
  3. Pursue part-time employment in fall and spring and full-time employment over summer break while receiving this scholarship.
  4. Submit the NDSU scholarship application by stated deadlines each year to indicate work experience and maximize scholarship options.

The donors of this scholarship program believe working while in school helps students build financial independence, improve time management and gain valuable experience. Qualifying work experience includes any of the following and must be indicated on the NDSU scholarship application each year:

  • On-campus employment through regular part-time employment
  • On-campus Federal Work-Study part-time employment (only an option if listed on financial aid award offer)
  • Off-campus part-time employment
  • Internship or co-operative experience
  • Entrepreneurial activities
  • Leadership positions in student organizations
  • Other unique ways revenue has been generated to pay for college

If students are unable to work due to financial or personal hardship, they may still qualify. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, using the information provided in the scholarship application each year.

Employment opportunities are available each year on Handshake at career-advising.ndsu.edu/handshake.

Students must report their work experience on NDSU’s scholarship application each year. NDSU recognizes that some students may be unable to meet the work requirements and will review each NDSU scholarship application on an individual and case by case basis.

March 1 is the deadline to submit the NDSU scholarship application. Missing the deadline will result in the loss of the scholarship for future semesters. Late applications will not be accepted. Students may be prompted to answer additional questions on the scholarship application to determine renewal eligibility.

If students are unable to fulfill the work requirements after the first year, NDSU will honor the minimum first-year or transfer guaranteed renewable scholarship amount through the Bison Merit Scholarship Program, if applicable. Additional scholarship opportunities may also be available. It’s important to submit the NDSU scholarship application each year to maximize scholarship options.

NDSU will first review the information provided on the scholarship application to determine if an exemption can be granted. If renewal isn’t granted based on this information, students who are unable to meet the renewal requirements may request an exemption by submitting the NDSU Scholarship Appeal/Exception Request Form by stated deadlines each year, which can be found at ndsu.edu/onestop/forms. Submitting an exemption request does not guarantee approval, but each request will be carefully considered. The deadline to submit an exemption is March 1.

Contact Doug Zeltinger, new student scholarship manager, at douglas.zeltinger@ndsu.edu.