North Dakota State Grant and Scholarships

The Student Financial Assistance Program, also known as the State Grant, provides a non-repayable need-based grants to North Dakota residents who are first-time undergraduate students.  Students must be pursuing an eligible program at a qualifying North Dakota institution, and must be enrolled at least quarter-time.  Qualifying institutions include the state accredited public, tribal, and private institutions, provided the institutions have programs of study of at least two years in length.

State Grant Amount

• The North Dakota State Grant awards up to $1,375 per semester or $917 per quarter, based on enrollment status.
• Students reapply each year by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Complete the FAFSA annually as soon as possible after Federal Student Aid opens the application (generally October 1st).  Funding under the state grant is limited, so early application is recommended.
• Eligibility is limited to eight semesters or twelve quarters of full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment, or the attainment of a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first.

Eligibility Criteria

North Dakota resident applicants must have:

• Graduated from a high school in this state (ensure your high school name, city and state is listed on your FAFSA);
• Graduated from a high school in a bordering state pursuant to N.D.C.C. ch. 15.1-29; (contact the NDUS at ndfinaid@ndus.edu to inquire on eligibility);
• Graduated from a nonpublic high school in a bordering state while residing with a custodial parent in this state (contact the NDUS at ndfinaid@ndus.edu to inquire on eligibility);
• Completed a program of home education supervised in accordance with N.D.C.C. ch. 15.1-23;
  • Send your final high school transcript showing your high school courses taken to NDUS
  • Send your Statement of Intent to Homeschool as required by N.D.C.C ch. 15.1-23 to NDUS
• Received a general educational development high school diploma (GED) from the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction (send your final earned GED certificate to NDUS).
• Applicants who, because of a medically certifiable disability, may enroll at an accredited institution of higher education outside of North Dakota which offers the individual special services or facilities not available in this state, provided the institution offers a program of instruction equal to at least two academic years.  Contact the NDUS to inquire.

Supplemental State Grant

A new program in 2025-26 is the Supplemental State Grant.  This award further assists State Grant recipients by providing them an additional award.

Eligibility Criteria

• Students must first have been awarded the ND State Grant.
• Total family income (based on the FAFSA), must be $80,000 or less.
• Students must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours for consideration.
• Students must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and have completed verification, if required.
• The amount may not exceed regular undergraduate tuition and takes into consideration your estimate Pell Grant and State Grant amounts.

If you are eligible for consideration, your institution will place the award on your financial aid package. Disbursements will occur after the ND State Grant has been disbursed each semester.

IMPORTANT:  Awards under the state grant and scholarship programs may not exceed cost of attendance (COA) at your institution.  Institutions will determine if COA is exceeded when other scholarships and grants are taken into consideration. This includes other federal, institutional, tribal or outside scholarships or grants.  If total COA is exceeded, state aid must be reduced or cancelled for that term of enrollment.

If you have questions regarding the ND State Grant, please contact the NDUS at ndfinaid@ndus.edu.