North Dakota Resident Scholarships

The North Dakota Legislative Assembly created this scholarship to encourage and reward high school students for taking challenging coursework in preparation for attending an accredited North Dakota public, private or tribal college or university.

• Amount: Total possible value is $6,000; disbursed $750 per semester or $500 per quarter. Recipients have up to six years following high school graduation to use the scholarship. To qualify for a disbursement, recipients must be enrolled full-time, as defined by the institution, maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average requirement of 2.75, and maintain progress toward degree completion requirements of the scholarship. For the purposes of the North Dakota scholarship, "progress toward degree completion" means earning the following minimum number of credits after each semester or quarter term disbursement to qualify for the subsequent disbursement. Please note that if you do not qualify in a term, you can still be considered in a future term if you meet the guidelines at that time. Students in their final term to graduate may still qualify for payment even if they are part time enrolled. Students must notify the NDUS to request an override. This exception to full time enrollment may only apply to a student once.
  • Twenty-four (24) credits after disbursement two;
  • Thirty-nine (39) credits after disbursement three;
  • Fifty-four (54) credits after disbursement four;
  • Sixty-nine (69) credits after disbursement five;
  • Eighty-four (84) credits after disbursement six; and
  • Ninety-nine (99) credits after disbursement seven.

• Who is eligible: Scholarship candidates must be North Dakota resident high school seniors, have GPAs of 3.0 or higher with no grade lower than a "C" on any class required for the diploma, complete the required program of study (see high school counselor for details), and earn composite scores of 24 or higher on the ACT. For more information about scholarship eligibility, go to the Department of Public Instruction website.

• How to apply: In addition to taking the required coursework and meeting the required grade point average and testing requirements, an application is required. Please complete the application form with the ND Department of Public Instruction.

More information regarding this scholarship found here North Dakota Academic Scholarship

The North Dakota Legislature created these scholarships to encourage and reward high school students for taking challenging coursework in preparation for attending an accredited North Dakota public, private or tribal college or university. 

• Amount: Total possible value is $6,000; disbursed $750 per semester or $500 per quarter. Recipients have up to six years following high school graduation to use the scholarship. To qualify for a disbursement, recipients must be enrolled fulltime, as defined by the institution, maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average requirement of 2.75, and maintain progress toward degree completion requirements of the scholarship. For the purposes of the North Dakota scholarship, "progress toward degree completion" means earning the following minimum number of credits after each semester or quarter term disbursement to qualify for the subsequent disbursement. Please note that if you do not qualify in a term, you can still be considered in a future term if you meet the guidelines at that time. Students in their final term to graduate may still qualify for payment even if they are part time enrolled. Student must notify the NDUS to request an override. This exception to full time enrollment may only apply to a student once. 
  • Twenty-four (24) credits after disbursement two;
  • Thirty-nine (39) credits after disbursement three; 
  • Fifty-four (54) credits after disbursement four; 
  • Sixty-nine (69) credits after disbursement five;
  • Eighty-four (84) credits after disbursement six; and
  • Ninety-nine (99) credits after disbursement seven.

• Who is eligible: Scholarship candidates must be North Dakota resident high school seniors, have GPAs of 3.0 or higher with no grade lower than a "C" on any class required for the diploma, complete the required program of study (see high school counselor for details), and earn composite scores of 24 or higher on the ACT or three 5s on the WorkKeys assessments. For more information about scholarships eligibility go to the Department of Public Instruction website. 

• How to apply:  In addition to taking the required coursework and meeting the required grade point average and testing requirements, an application is required. Please complete the application form with the ND Department of Public Instruction.

More information regarding this scholarship found here North Dakota Career and Technical Education Scholarship

This program provides merit-based, full-tuition scholarships to North Dakota high school graduates who choose to earn undergraduate degrees in North Dakota.

• Amount: This full-tuition scholarship is renewable for up to three years to any tribal or private college or University System college or university. Scholarships for students who attend private institutions equal the average tuition at a University System research university. Recipients must maintain cumulative GPAs of 3.5.

• Who is eligible: High school students who score at or above the ninety-fifth percentile among those who took the ACT test prior to July 1st in the calendar year preceding the individual's enrollment in college will be considered for the award. Students will be awarded in descending rank order until available funds are expended or until the pool of applicants has been exhausted.

• How to apply: Take the ACT Assessment prior to July 1 in the calendar year preceding the students full time enrollment in college. No separate application is required.

More information on the North Dakota Scholars Program

Based on scholastic ability and financial need, between 150 and 175 scholarships are available to enrolled members of North Dakota Indian tribes.

• Amount: Scholarships range from $800 to $2,000 per academic year. Recipients must maintain GPAs of 2.0 or higher.

• Who is eligible: Applicants must be North Dakota residents and enrolled members of federally recognized Indian tribe. They must be accepted for admission by a North Dakota institution of higher learning or state vocational education program and be enrolled as full-time students. Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 - 3.499 must show unmet need to qualify. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher can qualify based on merit. Students may not receive more than the equivalent of full funding fro six academic years.

• How to apply: Download the application form or request an application from North Dakota University System, 701-224-2541.

More information about the Native American Scholarship.

This program is for current students at a North Dakota Higher Education institution who have completed at least one dual credit course provided by a North Dakota University System (NDUS) institution while enrolled in high school.

More information regarding this scholarship can be found at North Dakota Dual Credit Tuition Scholarship.

Students who “age out” of foster care (graduate from a ND high school while in foster care), enter kinship guardianship or are adopted at age 16+ may apply for Education and Training Voucher dollars. This is similar to a college scholarship and they may apply/receive up to $2,500 per semester, $5,000 per year with lifetime max of $25,000 for college tuition. Students can apply for these dollars up to their 26th birthday.

Most students that graduate from High School will be informed of this option by their independent living coordinator, but may forget if they are not applying during high school. Students should contact their independent living coordinator to see if they qualify for Education and Training Voucher funds. If students don’t know how to contact their regional independent living coordinator, please feel free to reach out to the contact listed below for assistance finding that person.

ANGIE REINKE, NDSU Student Case Manager

Dean of Students Office
Dept 2840, P.O. Box 6050
Fargo ND 58108-6050

Phone: 701.231.1809
Email: angela.reinke@ndsu.edu

More information regarding the Education and Training Voucher dollars can be found here: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/chafee-foster-care-transition-program-and-education-and-training-voucher