Advice for new students

If you haven’t already done so, set up your ND University System (Campus Connection) account and your Bison Login. To set up these accounts, you’ll need your student ID number, which was included in your admission letter. 

80 percent of NDSU students receive more than $120 million in federal, state, private and institutional financial aid. All students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and scholarships.

Financial Aid
To apply for federal student aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form at studentaid.gov/fafsa. While NDSU's FAFSA priority deadline is February 1 to ensure you receive your award offer early, it can be submitted at any time. Once the FAFSA form has been submitted, your financial aid award offer will be mailed and emailed to you beginning in early March. Award offers will continue to be sent on an ongoing basis to those who submit the FAFSA after February 1.

First-Year Student scholarships
The deadline to apply for scholarships is February 1, 2024. Scholarship offers are sent in mid-February. More information on scholarships and scholarship availability can be found online here. 

All scholarship recipients must officially accept or decline awards by logging into the NDSU Scholarship Portal.

Transfer Student scholarships
The deadline to apply for scholarships is April 1, 2024, for fall transfer students. Scholarship offers are sent in mid-April.

Cultural Diversity Tuition Waiver
The deadline to apply for the Cultural Diversity Tuition Waiver is March 15, 2024. For consideration, applicants must also submit their FAFSA free of errors by March 15, 2024.

All first-year students and transfer students starting within one year of high school graduation, are guaranteed housing through our On-Campus Living Requirement. Other transfer students may elect to live on campus, and have several housing options from which to choose. You must apply for housing to receive an assigned hall and room. Visit Residence Life’s website to apply and check out the latest information on roommate selection, room assignments and the move-in process. 

Watch your email and mail for additional information on how to officially let us know if you plan to attend NDSU. Excited to share your plans now? Download the latest social media graphics below and share with your friends and family.

Once you make it official (step 4), you will be eligible to register for Summer New Student Orientation. Orientation consists of both online and in-person sessions. 

Online Orientation
Online orientation is required for all incoming first-year and transfer students. An online orientation module called ‘You Belong Here’ is designed to help new students prepare for their first semester at NDSU and is required prior to class registration.

First-Year Student Orientation
On-campus and online orientation is required for all first-year students. Several sessions are offered throughout the summer and reservations will be available after you commit to attending NDSU. Additional information about orientation can be found here.

Transfer Student Orientation
In addition to online orientation, on-campus orientation sessions are offered and highly encouraged for transfer students. Additional details are sent in February or available online here. 

Your admission counselor is here to assist you through every step. Connect with your counselor to ask questions or review your next steps to becoming a Bison. 

Final Transcripts

First-Year Students
All first-year students must have their high school send an official high school transcript including all final grades and graduation date to NDSU no later than July 1. Official college transcripts must also be sent directly from the college or university by July 1, showing all final grades. This includes any PSEO, Dual Credit, or College in the Schools (CIS) coursework attempted during high school. Failure to provide all final transcripts will negatively impact class registration and financial aid disbursement. 

Transfer Students
All transfer students must have their college(s) send official transcripts showing all final grades or in-progress coursework no later than August 1. Transcripts must be official and sent directly from each issuing institution. Failure to provide all final transcripts will negatively impact class registration and financial aid disbursement. 

ACT/SAT Test Scores
While ACT/SAT scores are not required for admission, NDSU will still consider test scores for placement into math and English courses. Additionally, students who are awarded a scholarship based on a self-reported test score are required to submit official ACT/SAT scores to NDSU no later than February 1. 

Advanced Placement (AP) Scores
To receive college credit or placement for AP exams, AP Score Reports should be sent directly from College Board to NDSU. To order AP score reports, visit collegeboard.org. The code for NDSU is 6474. 

NDSU requires all enrolled students to submit immunization documentation for MMR and Meningitis ACWY to Student Health Service. Please see the Student Health Service website for more information on these requirements, how to submit your records and resources for finding your records. Deadlines to submit your immunization records are as follows depending on the semester you start at NDSU:

• Fall Semester: August 1
• Spring Semester: January 1
• Summer Semester: May 1

Minnesota residents may qualify for a reduced tuition rate. Students are eligible for tuition comparable to resident tuition. Students who graduate from a Minnesota high school and enroll at NDSU within 12 months automatically qualify for reciprocity. No paperwork is necessary. If you plan to attend NDSU more than 12 months following high school graduation, through the MN Office of Higher Education. You should also apply if you were homeschooled or if you are a transfer student.