Did you know North Dakota is the top producer of honey in the United States? No wonder these scholarships are so sweet! Students in North Dakota have access to scholarships for a variety of interests and fields of study, including water resources and construction. Continue reading to learn all about the top North Dakota scholarships!
How to win North Dakota scholarships
In order to win North Dakota scholarships, you should showcase your genuine interest and enthusiasm for Nevada as a state. Stand out from the competition and demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional growth in North Dakota.
Perhaps you grew up in North Dakota surrounded by farmland. Therefore, it may not be surprising that you want to pursue a career in agriculture. So make it known that your environment of North Dakota inspired your future career and passion! Doing so will allow you to be a well-rounded candidate for North Dakota scholarships. North Dakota scholarship grantors are looking for students who will help better their state by receiving an education in North Dakota! So, be sure to detail how much North Dakota means to you!
Writing resources for acing North Dakota scholarship essays
North Dakota scholarships may require you to write a scholarship essay which could be anywhere from 250 words to 500 words. So, you should familiarize yourself with some common scholarship essay prompts and with our Scholarships360 guides on how to start and end a scholarship essay. Additionally, be sure to review how to write an essay about yourself and the ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships to ensure you are well prepared to win North Dakota scholarships!
North Dakota student debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, in total, North Dakota residents owe $2.5 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $28,604 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 61.9% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!
Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships from colleges in North Dakota as well as top scholarships in North Dakota!
Merit scholarships at North Dakota colleges and universities
North Dakota State University
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who have a 3.65+ GPA and a 25+ ACT or 1200+ SAT
- Amount: $6,000 up to $12,000
- Deadline: Admission to North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
- Eligibility: First year students with a strong unweighted cumulative high school GPA
- Amount: $1,500 up to $14,000
- Deadline: February 1
Minot State University
- Eligibility: Incoming freshman based on academic achievements, financial need, and other criteria
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: February 15
Bismarck State College
- Eligibility: First year students who demonstrate high academic achievement and financial need
- Amount: $250 up to $6,000
- Deadline: January 1
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here are a few well-known North Dakota universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
- In-state tuition: $9,309
- Out-of-state tuition: $13,963
- In-state tuition: $10,951
- Out-of-state tuition: $15,570
How do you get in-state tuition?
In order to qualify for these great in-state tuition rates for North Dakota institutions, you will need to become a North Dakota resident! Becoming a North Dakota resident requires you to physically reside in North Dakota for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the application date. You will need to provide proof of this such as a home mortgage or lease agreement in your name. Additionally, you will need to submit a valid North Dakota identification card, permit or driver’s license issued 10 months or more prior to your application date.
Does North Dakota offer tuition reciprocity?
Yes, North Dakota participates in a few tuition reciprocity and exchange programs to help lower the amount of tuition that non-residents have to pay.
One of these programs is the Minnesota-North Dakota Tuition Reciprocity Program which means that under certain circumstances, a Minnesota resident may attend a North Dakota public university and pay the established reciprocity fee. The same can apply to North Dakota residents attending Minnesota public institutions.
Another program that North Dakota participates in is the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). In this program, students from participating MSEP states will pay no more than 150 percent of in-state resident tuition to attend participating institutions in select Midwestern states.
North Dakota scholarship spotlight
Dushinske & Jamison Water Resources Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must attend a North Dakota college or university. Preference will be given to, but is not limited to, students studying water-related fields and students whose families have taken an active role in North Dakota’s water resource management
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: April 1
JoAnn Link Hetzel Vocational/Technical/Trade School Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students with at least a 2.5 GPA who are attending a vocational or technical/trade school full-time. Students pursuing mechanics, electrical, welding, or surveying will receive preference
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 1
North Dakota Dollars for Scholars Opportunity Scholarship
- Eligibility: North Dakota high school seniors with a GPA of 2.5 to 3.25 pursuing post-secondary education in North Dakota, including trade school
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 1
Robert and Doris Alin Legacy Scholarships
- Eligibility: North Dakota full-time college juniors pursuing an education degree with a 2.5 GPA or higher and employed at least 10 hours per week
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: April 1
North Dakota United (NDU) Member/Dependent Scholarship
- Eligibility: Active members or dependents of an NDU active member. Must be pursuing post-secondary education in any field of study including vocational, associate, or bachelor degree programs
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 31
The Associated General Contractors of North Dakota High School Senior Scholarship
- Eligibility: North Dakota high school seniors pursuing careers in construction
- Amount: $750 up to $1,500
- Deadline: End of April
The North Dakota Association of Counties/IGL Scholarship
- Eligibility: Children and grandchildren of county officials and employees, including step-children, who are undergraduate students at a North Dakota college or tech school
- Amount: $500 up to $2,000
- Deadline: End of May
North Dakota Scholarship
- Eligibility: North Dakota residents with high school diplomas. Must complete essential skills requirements and must complete one of three pathways listed on the application. For the post-secondary pathway, students must have an 24+ ACT or 1180+ SAT and at least a 3.0 GPA
- Amount: Up to $6,000
- Deadline: Early June
North Dakota Native American Scholarship
- Eligibility: North Dakota residents who are enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe planning to attend a North Dakota institution of higher learning or state vocational education program full time with a minimum 2.0 GPA
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: July 15
North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association General Scholarship
- Eligibility: North Dakota residents with a cumulative graduate program GPA of 3.0+ in a nurse practitioner program of study and applicants must plan to practice in North Dakota as nurse practitioners
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: August 1
North Dakota Health Policy Scholarship
- Eligibility: North Dakota residents with a cumulative graduate program GPA of 3.0+ in a nurse practitioner program of study and applicants must plan to practice in North Dakota as nurse practitioners
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: August 1
North Dakota State Grant
- Eligibility: North Dakota high school graduates/GED recipients pursuing eligible programs at accredited North Dakota institutions which last at least 2 years and are enrolled at least quarter-time
- Amount: Up to $1,100 per semester
- Deadline: Completion of the FAFSA which opens October 1
Additional North Dakota resources
North Dakota Farmers Union Scholarships
A variety of scholarships for members or children of members of the North Dakota Farmers Union.
North Dakota Community Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships specific to certain North Dakota counties, towns, colleges, and areas of study are offered in this searchable database.
Bank of North Dakota College Handbook
A list of North Dakota scholarships, grants, and financial resources from various organizations.
North Dakota Dollars for Scholars Scholarships
A variety of scholarships offered to North Dakota high school graduates from January 1 and April 1 each year.
North Dakota Council of Education Leaders Scholarships
An array of scholarships and awards are offered to North Dakota students and adults affiliated with NDCEL. All applications are due by June 1 of each year.
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. North Dakota students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions about North Dakota scholarships
Are there North Dakota scholarships for certain fields of study?
Does North Dakota offer tuition-free college?
Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
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