First-Year Scholarships

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.
   

• By July 1:

  • 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.

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.

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.

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

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 from historically underrepresented populations. Through our land grant mission, we will continue to support students from historically underrepresented populations 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 
• Be a United States citizen or Permanent Resident
• Demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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.

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

Eligibility

• Current undergraduate or graduate recipient of NDUS North Dakota Native American Scholarship
• Students receiving the Cultural Diversity Tuition Waiver or Land Grant Access Award may be eligible to receive both the NDSU Native American Scholarship Match and Land Grant Access Award, not to exceed the total annual maximum amount of up to $8,000 (up to $4,000 per fall and spring semester)

Application Process

1. Admitted for the upcoming fall semester by July 15.
2. Submit FAFSA free of errors by July 15.