First-Year Scholarships

80 percent of NDSU students receive more than $105 million in federal, state, private and institutional financial aid. All students are encouraged to apply for scholarships by stated deadlines.

To be considered for Guaranteed Scholarships, students must be admitted by the following deadlines:
Spring: December 1, 2021
Fall: February 1, 2022

For the 2025-26 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. Learn more by visiting www.ndsu.edu/tuition-award-program.

Students must complete the following for Guaranteed Scholarship consideration:

• By February 1:
  • Be admitted to NDSU.

  Students admitted after this deadline will be considered for Guaranteed Scholarships on a funds-available basis.
  

  • Have official final high school transcript submitted to NDSU to confirm graduation and cumulative GPA.
  • Have official test scores (ACT/SAT) submitted to NDSU (if applicable).
    Additional eligibility details can be found here: Undergraduate Scholarship Eligibility and Disbursement Guidelines

  Failure to submit official final documents by this deadline will result in the loss of any scholarship offer.

  Apply for additional Named Scholarships by Feb. 1

  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.
  Accept NDSU Scholarships

  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.

  Named Scholarships Examples

  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

  Land Grant Access Award

  Overview

  North Dakota State University prioritizes and values diversity and inclusion, and 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 of diverse backgrounds. Through our land grant mission, we will continue to support students with diverse backgrounds by offering the Land Grant Access Award.

  Eligibility

  For consideration, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

  • Be admitted to NDSU for the fall semester by March 15 and meet one of the following:
    • New undergraduate first-year student with a 2.75 or higher cumulative high school GPA
    • New undergraduate transfer student with a 2.0 or higher cumulative college GPA

    Funding

    • Undergraduate students may be eligible for up to $4,000 per semester, or $8,000 per academic year (fall and spring semesters).
    • The waiver covers a portion of tuition and does not cover transportation, fees, books, room, board or other costs of attendance. Students may use other forms of financial aid to cover these costs.
    • Due to the limited number of awards available, not all applicants are guaranteed the Land Grant Access Award.

    How to Apply

    To be considered for the Land Grant Access Award, you must:

    • Submit the Land Grant Access Award application with required documentation in the Scholarship Portal by March 15. No late applications will be accepted.
    • Submit the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), indicating NDSU's school code of 002997. To be considered, you must submit your FAFSA free of errors by March 15.

    NDSU scholarship opportunities have varying deadlines and may also rely on FAFSA information for need-based awards. Be sure to submit all applications early to allow for optimal consideration. You may receive email notifications if you are selected for a scholarship or need to provide additional information for a scholarship opportunity.