North Dakota Scholarships

Incoming first-year and transfer students from WUE-eligible Western states who are admitted to the University of New Mexico are automatically considered for the Western Undergraduate Exchange Plus program. Eligible students need a 3.0 GPA or 20 ACT (1030 SAT). WUE Plus reduces non-resident tuition to the New Mexico resident rate, with a value of up to $23,149 per year. The award is renewable for up to four years with 15 credits and a 2.5 GPA each fall and spring semester. No separate scholarship application is required, but applying by your admission deadline improves consideration.

Automatic WUE nursing award for incoming nonresident first-year students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents from a participating WUE state or territory, hold an unweighted GPA of 3.90 to 4.00, and are Pre-Nursing or Nursing majors. The scholarship covers 150% of resident tuition, saving about $16,339 per year for up to four years with full-time enrollment and a 3.00 renewal GPA. Construction Management, Radiological Science, alternative fee, and fully online majors are ineligible. Admission files must be complete by December 15 for fall.

LGBTQ+ students at least 17 years old who are from or attending school in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Native Nations within those states may apply for PFund Foundation scholarships. Awards range from $1,000 to $12,000 for students pursuing a GED, community college, four-year college, graduate school, trade school, certificate program, or apprenticeship. Funds are distributed directly to recipients. Apply online during the annual application window, typically mid-January through early March. Submit proof of enrollment or admission for the coming academic year. Recipients must provide an IRS Form W9. A community review panel selects awardees notified in June.

The Gero-STARR program at the University of North Dakota provides undergraduate nursing students enhanced training in age-friendly acute and long-term care along with financial support funded by HRSA. Eligible first-semester on-campus BSN students who graduated from a North Dakota high school, hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and meet educationally disadvantaged criteria may apply. Benefits include an eight thousand dollar annual scholarship plus mentorship and tutoring. Recipients complete a two-week summer training course and sign an agreement to work in North Dakota acute or long-term care for at least one year after graduation.

Students in grades 6 through 12 who reside in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin may enter ADL Midwest's annual First Amendment Freedoms Art and Essay Contest. Submit a two-page essay or artwork on a First Amendment theme. Up to eight prizes are awarded, with first-place winners receiving up to $5,000 and second-place winners $1,000 by grade category. Judges score creativity, originality, and understanding of the First Amendment.

Practicing individual or collaborating artists residing in North Dakota may apply for two annual $5,000 creation grants. Disciplines rotate each fiscal year; FY28 will cover Visual and Media Arts. Grants fund a year-long project or series to create new artwork and expand artistic skills. A public community component is required. No matching funds are required. Applications are due April 30 through NDCA GrantInterface. FY27 cycle (Dance and Theater) closed; FY28 opens February 2027. The North Dakota Council on the Arts renamed this program from Individual Artist Fellowship to Artist Growth and Development.

High school seniors or undergraduate or graduate students in business continuity, cybersecurity, governance risk and compliance, or physical security programs who reside in or attend school in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin may apply. Twelve awards are granted: four at $3,000 and eight at $1,000. UMSA board members, foundation staff, committee members, and their immediate family are not eligible. Submit the online application and essay by February 28. Finalists may be phone-interviewed in March.

North Dakota residents enrolled full time at a North Dakota college, university, or technical college who have completed freshman year and are pursuing nursing or healthcare-related degrees with at least a 3.25 GPA and demonstrated financial need may apply. Thirty $2,500 Health Profession Scholarships are awarded annually through the BCBSND Caring Foundation. Priority goes to applicants willing to work in underserved North Dakota communities and those pursuing shortage health professions such as RN, LPN, PA, NP, and behavioral health degrees.

The State of North Dakota awards Native American Scholarships of up to $2,000 per academic year to enrolled members of federally recognized Indian tribes who are North Dakota residents attending an accredited college, university, or career and technical education program with a physical presence in North Dakota. Awards are made under a combined merit and need-based program, and recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better. Students apply directly to the North Dakota University System with an annual application, FAFSA, transcripts, and proof of tribal enrollment. All application materials must be completed each year by the July 15 priority deadline; applications received later are considered only if funding remains after all on-time eligible applicants are awarded.

North Dakota State University provides a two thousand dollar per year scholarship match to undergraduates who receive the state of North Dakota Native American Scholarship. Students must be admitted NDSU degree seekers, receive the state award, and complete the annual NDSU scholarship application so the match can be applied to their financial aid package. The match supports Native American students attending NDSU alongside the state scholarship program. Maintain full-time enrollment and meet NDSU scholarship disbursement guidelines for renewal each fall and spring semester.