The Bison Bridge program is an exciting opportunity designed to assist local first-year multicultural students, who are first-generation* or Pell-eligible, attending NDSU beginning fall 2025, transition from high school to college. During the program, students will be introduced to the NDSU experience and will start developing important connections to get a jump start on their college career. Essentially, the Bison Bridge program builds resilient, independent, determined graduates with excellence.This program is fully funded and there is no cost to participants. Other benefits include:

• A $1,000 stipend disbursed in two installments
• Get introduced to academic resources
• Develop important connections with professors, staff and academic advisors
• Gain leadership and self-advocacy skills
• Engage with a diverse population of new NDSU students and build friendships before classes begin
• Get paired with a peer mentor in the Rising Scholars Program
• Learn about NDSU services
  • ACE Tutoring
  • Center for Accessibility
  • Career and Advising Center
  • Center for Writers
  • Counseling Center
  • Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • Information Technology
  • NDSU Libraries
  • TRIO Student Support Services
  • Wellness Center

If you are a first-generation* or Pell-eligible, multicultural, first-year student to be enrolled at NDSU for the upcoming fall 2025 semester, this program is for you. Take advantage of connecting and networking with resources that will start your college career positively!

*NDSU defines a first-generation college student as a student whose parent/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree.

Bison Bridge 2024 Program Impacts:

Bison Bridge helps students create connections and community, develop a sense of belonging, build confidence in their transition to college, and connect to campus with an increase knowledge of resources to maximize their college experience until degree completion. 96% of participants made connections with other students they plan to stay in contact with; feel a sense of belonging in the program; feel more confident about their transition to NDSU; and learned about at least one resource thay plan to visit during their first semester.

Bison Bridge Particpant Testimonials:

“I gained friends and a much better understanding on where to go for classes and what college life will be like in general.” -TyMarie

“I genuinely did not know that NDSU had so much opportunities to succeed. Thank you guys!!” -Elijah

"I really loved this experience. There was never a day where I didn't feel good about coming to this event. I loved everything about it, from all the opportunites I had to speak to advisors, to all the friends I made, and especially the information I learned about NDSU." -Georgina

Please contact Kaelen Napoleon in the Office of Multicultural Programs atkaelen.napoleon@ndsu.edu | 701-231-1868, if you have any questions about the Bison Bridge program or the application process.