First-Year Scholarships

For the 2025-26 academic year, eligible North Dakota and Minnesota students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 7000 or less and are Pell-eligible will qualify for the NDSU Tuition Award Program. This program guarantees that base tuition and mandatory student fees are completely covered.

Step 1: Get admitted to NDSU
Step 2: Submit your FAFSA

For full details, visit ndsu.edu/tuition-award-program.

To qualify, students must be admitted and complete the following by July 1:

Step 1: Submit an official final high school transcript to confirm graduation and cumulative GPA
Step 2: Submit official ACT or SAT test scores (if applicable)

For full eligibility requirements and disbursement details, visit the guidelines.

To secure your NDSU scholarships, you must officially accept your scholarship offer. This process also allows you to review the terms and conditions of your award.

Step 1: Claim your N.D. University System (NDUS) Account

If you haven’t already, claim your NDUS account or verify that it has already been claimed.

Step 2: Accept Your NDSU Scholarships

Log in to the NDSU Scholarship Portal using your NDUS account. Review your scholarship offer(s), carefully read the terms and conditions, and officially 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: $12,000 ($3,000/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 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. 

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.