Finding money for college shouldn't feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. If you're a North Dakota student planning for higher education, you're in the right place. I've compiled this comprehensive guide to help your family navigate North Dakota scholarship opportunities with confidence and clarity.
North Dakota offers over 65 scholarship opportunities throughout the year. These range from small $500 awards to full-tuition packages worth tens of thousands of dollars. Whether you're looking for North Dakota scholarships in general or North Dakota State University scholarships specifically, this guide covers opportunities for all North Dakota students.
Quick Answer: North Dakota students have access to 65+ North Dakota scholarships ranging from $500 to full tuition. Many deadlines fall between January and May, with applications requiring essays, transcripts, and GPA minimums typically between 2.5 and 3.5. Use the filters below to find North Dakota scholarships by deadline month and award amount.
How to Use This North Dakota Scholarship Guide
I've organized all North Dakota scholarships below with interactive filters. You can search by deadline month, award amount, or both simultaneously. This helps you find North Dakota scholarship opportunities that match your student's timeline and financial needs.
Click on any "Apply" button to visit the official North Dakota scholarship website. Many deadlines repeat annually. If a deadline has passed, the sponsor will likely update it for the current school year. Always verify details on the official website before applying.
Filter North Dakota Scholarships by Deadline and Amount
| Scholarship Name | Amount | Deadline | Eligibility | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa Scholarship | $1500 | January 9th | Awards twenty scholarships to members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) who are residents of select states. Applicants must plan to major in an eligible agricultural field and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Apply |
| Mensa Education and Research Foundation Scholarship | Varies | January 15th | Awards seniors who intend to enroll in an accredited educational institution. Applicants must write a 550-word essay outlining academic and professional goals and personal experiences. | Apply |
| University of South Florida Green & Gold Awards | $5000 to $11000 per year | January 15th | Merit-based awards for admitted first-year students who are not Florida residents. Out-of-state reduction awards decrease the total cost of attendance but only apply toward out-of-state tuition. | Apply |
| BNSF Railway Foundation Future Farmers of America Scholarships | $5000 (4-year) | January 16th | Awards ten 4-year scholarships to FFA members in select states who are enrolled in agriculture areas including business management, economics, finance, and sales and marketing. | Apply |
| Concordia Community Achievement Scholarship | Tuition room and board | January 19th | For first-generation college students from ethnically and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds. Covers tuition, room, and board, renewable for up to four years. | Apply |
| The Dream US Opportunity Scholarship | Full tuition + mandatory fees | January 31st | Awards undocumented students full tuition coverage and other mandatory fees. Applicants must reside in Idaho, have come to the U.S. before age 16, be graduating seniors, display financial need, and be enrolled full-time in a four-year program at an affiliated college. | Apply |
| University of North Dakota Goldwater Scholarship | $7500 | January 31st | Awards full-time matriculated sophomores or juniors pursuing a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year institution who intend to pursue a research career in natural science, mathematics, or engineering. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and be a U.S. citizen or resident. | Apply |
| North Central Region 9 Scholarship | Varies | February 1st | Offered to graduating high school students, with preference for North Central Region 9 members, their spouses, and/or children or grandchildren. | Apply |
| NATAS Upper Midwest Scholarship | $1500 | February 3rd | Awards students planning to major in journalism, broadcasting, or electronic media at an accredited post-secondary institution. Open to high school seniors, college sophomores & juniors, and graduate students living or attending school in the five-state area served by the Upper Midwest Chapter of NATAS. | Apply |
| Geisinger Scholarship | Varies | February 4th | Available to first-year students entering the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from select states. | Apply |
| AIST Midwest Member Chapter | Varies | February 14th | Awards U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students in Northwestern Indiana, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Applicants must have an AIST Parent Member active in the Midwest Member Chapter, or be an AIST Student Member through the Material Advantage Student Program, attending a university in the Midwest Member Chapter area. | Apply |
| Minot State Cultural Diversity Award | Varies | February 15th | Available for underrepresented students attending Minot State University. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.25 or higher and be a U.S. citizen. | Apply |
| UMSA Foundation Scholarship Program | $3000 / $1000 | February 28th | Offers four $3,000 scholarships and eight $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing business continuity and disaster recovery, cybersecurity, governance, risk and compliance, or physical security. Applicants must reside in or attend school in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. | Apply |
| Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship | $500 | February 28th | Provides $500 for freshman Native American students pursuing studies in agribusiness, agricultural production, agricultural sciences, or natural resources at any postsecondary institution. Applicants must be enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe with a reservation in South Dakota or North Dakota and be residents of those states, demonstrating academic achievement. | Apply |
| Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars Scholarship | $1000 to $6600 | March 1st | Available to female-identifying high school students living in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or South Dakota who attend high school in one of these states. Award amount depends on financial need. | Apply |
| North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation Legacy Scholarship | $500 | March 1st | Available for high school seniors or college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors of any major. Applicants must be a member or child of a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. | Apply |
| North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation Endowment Scholarship | $500 | March 1st | Available for high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors studying a beef-related major at any accredited North Dakota college or university. Applicants must be a member or child of a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. | Apply |
| NFMC Irma Carey-Wilson Music Therapy Scholarship | $1000 | March 1st | Available for college juniors, seniors, graduate students, or graduates in an internship in music therapy at schools offering degrees approved by the American Music Therapy Association. | Apply |
| NFMC Myrtle Mehan/Hazel Morgan Music Education Scholarship | $800 | March 1st | Available for college sophomores majoring in Music Education at a college/university with a Music Education Department offering a degree in the same field. | Apply |
| North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation Tokach Angus Ranch Memorial Scholarship | $1000 | March 1st | Available to students studying an agriculturally related career at any accredited college/university. Preference given to those pursuing graduate or professional education. Applicants must be a member or child of a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. | Apply |
| North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation Myron Wold Memorial Scholarship | $1000 | March 1st | Available to high school seniors planning to major in an agriculturally related discipline at any accredited college/university. Applicants must be a member or child of a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. | Apply |
| NDFB Becki Palmer Scholarship | $1000 | March 1st | Available to high school seniors whose parent is a member of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, planning to attend an accredited college/university in the fall, and who have a GPA of 3.0 or better. | Apply |
| PFund Scholarship | $1000 to $12000 | March 11th | Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students who live or attend school in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. Supports leadership, community building, and education. | Apply |
| North Dakota State Fair Hess Corporation Scholarship | $10000 / $2000 | March 15th | Offers three $10,000 awards and five $2,000 awards to North Dakota high school seniors actively engaged in 4-H or FFA. Supports students pursuing higher education or vocational training. | Apply |
| GRHS Youth Essay Contest | Up to $1000 | March 31st | Open to students attending public, private, parochial, home school, or accredited universities as full-time undergraduates. The essay must relate to German Russian history, heritage, or culture and be the student’s original work. | Apply |
| Victor & Verna Johnson Scholarship | Varies | April 1st | Applicants must be graduates of a Walsh County high school, in the last two years of college (junior or senior), demonstrate financial need, and enroll full-time (12 credit hours/semester). Priority given to students from Park River/Hoople area, but all qualifying Walsh County students may apply. | Apply |
| Northern Seed Trade Association Local Impact Scholarship | $2000 | April 1st | Supports students pursuing careers in the Seed Trade Industry. Priority given to applicants from the geographical area of the sitting President. Applicants must be from or attend a university in select states (WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA) or select areas of Canada (Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan). | Apply |
| Gerald W. & Edith F. Wallace Scholarship Fund | Varies | April 1st | Assists students with a physical disability from North Dakota farm families. Priority given to students from Burke County. Award amount based on student needs and available funds. | Apply |
| Hattie Tedrow Scholarship to High School Seniors | $2000 | April 1st | Available to high school seniors who are residents of North Dakota, direct descendants of veterans with honorable U.S. military service, and plan to attend an accredited institution. Proof of acceptance is required. | Apply |
| Edward Nesheim Memorial Scholarship | $1500 | April 1st | Applicants must be legal residents of North Dakota and direct descendants of U.S. veterans who served honorably. Must have maintained a GPA of 2.75+, be pursuing a degree in Agriculture, Human Nutrition, or Medicine, and be a high school senior or previous scholarship recipient. | Apply |
| ND American Legion Riders Scholarship | $500 | April 1st | Awards one high school senior residing in North Dakota who is a son, daughter, step-child, or grandchild of a veteran or active duty service member. Proof of service or active duty verification is required. | Apply |
| WGA “CELEBRATE THE WEST” Competition | $200 to $600 | Aprill 11th | Regional art competition open to high school or home-schooled students in select states and territories. Students must create original works inspired by their state. AI or plagiarized submissions are disqualified. | Apply |
| TFND Video Essay Scholarship Contest | $1500 | April 18th | Awards $1,500 to North Dakota high school seniors who create a 1–3 minute YouTube video on a Tobacco Free ND topic. | Apply |
| Robert G. Porter Scholars Program | $8000 / $1000 | April 18th | Offers four 4-year, $8,000 scholarships to dependents of AFT members, and ten one-time $1,000 grants to assist with continuing education or projects. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors with at least one parent/legal guardian who is an AFT member in good standing for at least a year. Children of AFT staff are ineligible. | Apply |
| American General Contractors of ND | $750 to $1500 | April 23rd | Multiple awards ranging from $750 to $1,500 for students interested in construction careers attending select North Dakota colleges/universities studying construction-related fields. | Apply |
| The Restoration of Sight & Health Scholarship | $1000 | April 30th | Provides two $1,000 scholarships to students from South Dakota and two $1,000 scholarships to students from North Dakota pursuing education in fields related to Dakota Lions Sight & Health mission. | Apply |
| Tzu Chi USA Scholarship | $1500 | April 30th | Awards $1,500 to U.S. high school graduating seniors who demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and enroll full-time in an accredited U.S. college. | Apply |
| Alice S. Marriott Scholarship | Varies | May 1st | Available to undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are majoring in Hospitality Management or Hotel/Motel Management at a degree-granting institution. | Apply |
| Gabriel A. Hartl Scholarship | $5000 to $15000 | May 1st | Available to students enrolled half- to full-time in a two- to four-year air traffic control program at an institution approved/licensed by the FAA that supports the FAA’s college and training initiative. | Apply |
| Farm and Ranch Depot Scholarship | $1000 | May 1st | Available to high school seniors accepted/enrolled in a two- or four-year college/university, intending to major in agricultural, equine, or livestock studies. Applicants should have community volunteer experience, extracurricular participation, and guidance counselor endorsement. | Apply |
| University of Nebraska George Beadle Scholarship | $15000 per year | May 1st | Provides $15,000 per year toward UNL undergraduate nonresident tuition for up to four consecutive years or until completion of a bachelor’s degree. Recipients must remain nonresidents of Nebraska. | Apply |
| The Treacy Foundation | $3000 per year | May 1st | Awards $3,000 per year, renewable up to three years, to entering freshmen and sophomore college students who are Montana residents attending college in Montana or elsewhere. | Apply |
| Jamie Bax Memorial Scholarship | $5000 / $3000 / $2000 | May 1st | Awards one $5,000, one $3,000, and one $2,000 scholarship to students with a Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis who are U.S. citizens, residents of eligible states, enrolled in college/university, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, and provide photo identification. | Apply |
| Jim Sable Environment & Conservation Education Scholarship | $1000 | May 15th | Awards forty $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors participating in the Clay Target League who plan to pursue an environment, natural resources, or conservation-related career. | Apply |
| Bill Cowden Memorial Aviation Scholarship | Up to $1500 | May 15th | Provides up to $1,500 to private pilots of all ages for advanced aviation training. Applicants must hold a current Private Pilot Certificate, submit a professional resume, one letter of recommendation related to aviation skills, a one-page essay, and reside in select Midwestern states. | Apply |
| North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship Fund | $1200 to $1500 | June 1st | Available to students who graduated from a North Dakota high school or have been North Dakota residents for at least two years. Applicants must be accepted to or actively enrolled in a professional school of any AVMA-accredited College of Veterinary Medicine. | Apply |
| North Dakota Scholarship | $6000 | June 6th | Awards North Dakota high school graduates planning to enroll full-time in an accredited higher education institution in North Dakota. Applicants must meet GPA (3.0) and SAT/ACT (1180/24) requirements, along with other eligibility criteria. | Apply |
| North Dakota State Fair Scholarship Graduating Class Scholarship | $1000 | June 13th | Awards high school seniors who have actively participated in 4-H or FFA at the North Dakota State Fair. The scholarship can be used at any accredited college, university, or trade school. Six $1,000 awards are available. | Apply |
| North Dakota Scholars Program | Varies | July 1st | Available to North Dakota high school students planning to attend a postsecondary institution in North Dakota. Applicants must score in the upper fifth percentile of all North Dakota ACT test takers. | Apply |
| North Dakota Indian Scholarship Program | Varies | July 15th | Available to North Dakota students enrolled in a federally recognized Indian tribe attending a North Dakota institution of higher education for an undergraduate or graduate program. Merit-based applicants must be valedictorians or have a GPA of 3.5+, while need-based applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 2.0+. | Apply |
| AISES Stellantis Scholarship | $20000 | July 30th | Awards students enrolled full-time and accepted into a college with a Mopar CAP or Mopar CAP Local curriculum. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The award includes a $20,000 per student allocation (tool allotment included). | Apply |
| Annual Ayn Rand Essay Contests | Up to $25000 | August 1st | Awards scholarships to students worldwide by writing an essay on one of Ayn Rand's classic novels. No other requirements. | Apply |
| AISES National Conference Travel Scholarship | Varies | August 9th | Covers conference registration fees, economy round-trip airfare, and lodging. Eligible students must be full-time at a two- or four-year college/university, enrolled in a STEM program, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. | Apply |
| QuestBridge - The National College Match Scholarship | $325000 (full four-year scholarship) | September 30th | Awards a full four-year scholarship to high-achieving, low-income students who have displayed resilience, integrity, and motivation to succeed. | Apply |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield ND Caring Foundation | $2500 / $5000 | October 1st | Offers two scholarships for North Dakota residents attending a college/university in North Dakota with a major in health care or a related field. Applicants must show financial need and have a GPA of 3.25 or higher. | Apply |
| BBB Minnesota and North Dakota Students of Integrity Scholarship | $2500 | November 25th | Awards $2,500 to high school seniors in Minnesota or North Dakota who have demonstrated integrity, leadership, and ethical values. BBB employees, interns, Board members, or their families are not eligible. | Apply |
| Hagan Scholarship Foundation | $7500 | December 1st | Awards $7,500 per semester to U.S. high school seniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who enroll in a four-year college/university, meet low-income and English fluency requirements, and satisfy specific work requirements. | Apply |
| North Dakota Association of County Engineers (NDACE) Scholarship | $2500 | December 31st | Awards $2,000 to two students and $2,500 to one student majoring in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Civil Engineering Technology, Survey Technology, or Construction Management Technology at any North Dakota institution. Half-time students are eligible. | Apply |
| NACo/Nationwide Scholarships | $2500 | December 31st | Awards $2,500 to four graduating high school seniors who are U.S. residents, whose parent or grandparent contributes to a NACo 457 Deferred Compensation Program, and who enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college. Applicants must submit a short essay on the importance of early retirement savings. | Apply |
| Dushinske & Jamison Water Resources Scholarship Fund | $1500 | Aprl 15th | Awards four $1,500 scholarships to students attending a North Dakota college/university. Preference given to students studying water-related fields or whose families are active in North Dakota water resource management. Recipients must attend the Annual North Dakota Water Convention Awards Banquet. | Apply |
| North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant Program | Up to $1375 per semester / $917 per quarter | Varies | Provides non-repayable grants to North Dakota residents who are first-time undergraduate students attending qualifying North Dakota public, private, or tribal colleges. Award amount depends on enrollment status. | Apply |
| Clock Tower Scholarship | $1500 | Varies | Awards incoming freshmen $1,500 per year for two years ($3,000 total). Applicants must have a GPA between 3.05–3.64. | Apply |
| Footbridge Scholarship | $750 | Varies | Awards incoming freshmen $750 per year for two years ($1,500 total). Applicants must have a GPA between 2.50–3.04. | Apply |
| NSHSS Scholarships | Varies | Varies | Awards varying amounts to high school and college students across the country. Requirements vary by individual scholarship. | Apply |
| North Dakota Space Grant Consortium Scholarship Program | Up to $2500 | Varies | Provides up to $2,500 for outstanding students at affiliate schools pursuing degrees that build a skilled, diverse workforce to meet NASA, North Dakota, and national needs. | Apply |
| Innovative Award | $1500 | Varies | Transfer scholarship of $1,500 for the recipient’s first year. Applicants must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or higher. | Apply |
| Difference Maker Award | $1000 | Varies | Transfer scholarship of $1,000 for the recipient’s first year. Applicants must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher. | Apply |
Making the Most of North Dakota Scholarships for Students
I've worked with families who applied to 30 North Dakota scholarships and won eight of them. Their secret wasn't luck, it was strategy. They treated North Dakota scholarship applications like a part-time job, dedicating specific hours each week to research, writing, and submitting applications.
Start with North Dakota scholarship opportunities where your student is a perfect fit. If they're a first-generation college student, prioritize those North Dakota scholarships. If they have a specific major in mind, focus on field-specific awards. If they're involved in community service or agriculture, highlight those North Dakota scholarship options.
Keep a spreadsheet with deadline dates, required materials, and essay prompts. Many North Dakota scholarships ask similar questions, so your student can adapt one strong essay for multiple applications rather than starting from scratch each time.
Most importantly, apply even if your student doesn't meet every single requirement. North Dakota scholarship committees are looking for students who stand out in some way, whether that's through leadership, overcoming adversity, academic achievement, or community impact.
North Dakota State University Scholarships and Financial Aid
North Dakota State University offers some of the most competitive North Dakota scholarships available. NDSU students should explore these North Dakota State University scholarship programs as a starting point for their financial aid strategy.
North Dakota State University scholarships include merit-based awards for incoming freshmen with strong academic records. Students with high GPAs and test scores can receive substantial North Dakota State University scholarships that reduce the cost of attendance significantly. These North Dakota State University scholarships are often renewable for four years if students maintain required GPA standards.
Department-specific North Dakota State University scholarships are available for students in engineering, agriculture, business, and other fields. Each college within NDSU administers its own North Dakota State University scholarship programs, so students should contact their specific department to learn about opportunities.
The NDSU Foundation manages many private North Dakota State University scholarships funded by alumni and donors. These North Dakota State University scholarships often have unique eligibility requirements based on hometown, intended major, or career goals. Students can search the NDSU scholarship database to find North Dakota State University scholarships that match their profile.
North Dakota State Financial Aid Programs
Beyond individual North Dakota scholarships and North Dakota State University scholarships, the state offers several major financial aid programs that North Dakota students should explore. These programs make college more affordable for thousands of North Dakota families each year.
The North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant provides need-based assistance to North Dakota residents attending eligible North Dakota colleges. This grant complements other North Dakota scholarships and helps students from low-to-moderate income families afford higher education.
The North Dakota Scholars Program recognizes top academic performers from each North Dakota high school. This prestigious designation can strengthen applications for competitive North Dakota scholarships and opens doors to additional opportunities.
The North Dakota Indian Scholarship Program supports Native American students who are enrolled members of North Dakota tribes. This program provides North Dakota scholarships specifically designed to increase college access for tribal members pursuing degrees at North Dakota institutions.
The North Dakota Academic Scholarship rewards students who complete rigorous high school coursework. Students who earn this North Dakota scholarship receive $750 per semester for up to six semesters at eligible North Dakota colleges and universities.
Agriculture and Rural North Dakota Scholarships
North Dakota's strong agricultural heritage means numerous North Dakota scholarships exist for students pursuing ag-related careers. The North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation offers multiple North Dakota scholarships including the Legacy Scholarship, Endowment Scholarship, and specialized memorial awards for students in beef production and agricultural fields.
The North Dakota Farm Bureau provides the Becki Palmer Scholarship to high school seniors whose parents are Farm Bureau members. This and similar North Dakota scholarships recognize the importance of agriculture to the state's economy and future.
Students interested in FFA or 4-H can access dedicated North Dakota scholarships through the North Dakota State Fair, which awards substantial funding to students actively engaged in these youth agriculture programs.
Regional and County-Specific North Dakota Scholarships
Many North Dakota counties and communities offer local North Dakota scholarships with less competition than statewide programs. The Victor & Verna Johnson Scholarship serves Walsh County students, while the Gerald W. & Edith F. Wallace Scholarship Fund assists students with disabilities from North Dakota farm families, prioritizing Burke County residents.
The Hattie Tedrow Scholarship through the North Dakota American Legion supports high school seniors who are descendants of veterans. Regional organizations like the Minot State Cultural Diversity Award provide North Dakota scholarships for students attending specific North Dakota institutions.
What to Do Next with North Dakota Scholarships
Use the filters above to identify five to ten North Dakota scholarships that match your student's timeline and qualifications. If your student plans to attend NDSU, prioritize North Dakota State University scholarships first, then expand to general North Dakota scholarships and national opportunities.
Set aside time this week to start the first three North Dakota scholarship applications. The sooner you begin, the more North Dakota scholarship opportunities you'll have time to pursue. Many North Dakota scholarships have deadlines between January and April, so early preparation is essential.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the college admissions process and North Dakota scholarship research, we can help. At Stand Out College Prep, we work with North Dakota families to create a comprehensive plan that includes North Dakota scholarship strategy, application support, and financial aid guidance.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can support your family through this process and maximize your North Dakota scholarship success.
