Scholarships & Waivers
Each year, the University of North Dakota awards more than 3,300 academic scholarships totaling nearly $8.5 million.
All scholarships are subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed.
UND Scholarship Central Database
Apply annually for 1,300+ scholarships with a single application through Scholarship Central.
- Eligibility:
- Must be admitted as an undergraduate, graduate or law student.
- Opens:
- Oct. 1 for the following academic year
- Deadline:
- Feb. 1 (new, incoming students) | March 1 (current, returning students)
- Renewal:
- Varies by scholarship
Medical students: Contact the the School of Medicine & Health Sciences for scholarship opportunities.
Automatic Academic Scholarships for New Students
You must be a full-time student and enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester to qualify.
If you meet the criteria and complete your admissions application to UND by the priority deadline, you'll automatically be awarded a scholarship. If funding is available, scholarships may be awarded after the priority deadline. All scholarships are subject to change.
Receive Up to $14,000 in Freshman Scholarships
If you meet the criteria, submit your completed admissions application and/or official test scores (if applicable) by the Feb. 1 priority deadline for the upcoming fall semester, you'll automatically be awarded one of the following academic scholarships.
| Unweighted High School GPA | Freshman Scholarship Award |
|---|---|
| 3.90+ GPA or 30+ ACT (1370+ SAT) with 3.00+ GPA* |
$14,000 $3,500/yr for a max of 4 years |
| 3.70-3.89 GPA | $11,000 $2,750/yr for a max of 4 years |
| 3.50-3.69 GPA | $1,500 non-renewable |
You're eligible to receive one automatic scholarship award based on your unweighted, cumulative high school GPA. Renewal criteria apply.
*You must submit official test scores to qualify for this scholarship.
Receive Up to $2,000 in Transfer Scholarships
If you meet the criteria and submit your completed admissions application by the Aug. 15 deadline for the upcoming fall semester or the Dec. 15 deadline for the upcoming spring semester, you'll automatically be awarded one of the following academic scholarships.
| Cumulative College GPA |
Transfer Student Scholarship Award |
|---|---|
| 3.90 - 4.00 | $2,000 $1,000/semester |
| 3.50 - 3.89 | $1,000 $500/semester |
Scholarships are based on your cumulative GPA for all credits transferred to UND as calculated by the UND Registrar's Office. Students transferring more than 120 credits to UND will not qualify.
Other UND Scholarships
Scholarship Award
- Eligible students may receive a UND scholarship equivalent to full tuition and mandatory student fees.
- This scholarship is in addition to other UND scholarships and waivers you're eligible to receive (up to the full cost of attendance).
- Renewable for up to 3 additional years if renewal criteria are met.
Eligibility Criteria
- National Merit Scholar Finalist or Semi-Finalist from North Dakota or Minnesota.
- If you're a National Merit Scholar from another state, UND will review your file for scholarship eligibility.
If you plan to compete as a student-athlete on an intercollegiate sports team at UND, any scholarships you are awarded are subject to NCAA rules. You may not be able to accept every scholarship you are offered.
Reporting Requirements
You must immediately report all scholarships to the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance by:
- Aug. 1 for fall semester.
- Jan. 1 for spring semester.
How to Report Your Scholarships
- Request a Student-Athlete Outside Aid Award form from Ashley Steffan at ashley.steffan@UND.edu or 701.777.3169.
- Complete and return the form to Ashley Steffan.
The Open Door Scholarship provides one-time financial assistance to students experiencing a dire, unforeseen circumstance, such as:
- Sudden illness.
- Loss of an immediate family member.
- Unexpected loss of income.
UND Student Finance reviews applications individually and will consider each student's unique financial situation.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, students must:
- Be an admitted undergraduate, graduate or professional student in a degree-seeking program.
- Have completed a FAFSA for the academic year and demonstrate financial need, based on FAFSA information (only if student is U.S. citizen or permanent resident).
- Be enrolled for the current semester.
- Be in good academic standing.
- Have exhausted other options for financial assistance, including Federal loans, PLUS loans and private educational loans. Visit our Loans webpage for additional options.
Application Process
- Submit the Open Door Scholarship Application if you meet all eligibility criteria and have no other available financial assistance as described above.
- Allow 10-15 business days for UND Student Finance to review your submitted application.
- Check your UND email for notification on whether or not you have qualified for the scholarship. Additional information may be requested to evaluate your situation.
If awarded and placed on a student's account, this scholarship could impact other financial aid received.
Limited financial support may be available to help current UND students in need of financial support to succeed.
Visit the Angel Fund website for complete details.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, students must:
- Be enrolled in the current semester in an undergraduate, graduate or professional program at UND.
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress in their respective degree program.
- Be in Academic Good Standing, as defined by the UND Academic Catalog.
- Not be on Conduct Probation, as defined by the UND Code of Student Life.
The TRIO Community Housing Navigation Program’s mission is to ensure eligible participants have a safe, permanent place to lay their heads at night and their basic needs are being met.
The program assists participants experiencing barriers preventing them from obtaining self-sufficiency, such as:
- Financial constraints.
- Justice system involvement.
- Lack of knowledge about available community agencies, services and resources.
Non-UND Scholarships & Aid
Scholarships are available through a variety of sources including the federal government, the state of North Dakota and outside organizations.
- You may accept non-UND scholarships without affecting your UND scholarships.
- External, non-UND scholarships must be accounted for in your financial aid package. If you have questions regarding how your award may impact your other financial aid, please contact One-Stop Student Services.
Where to Send Non-UND Scholarship Checks
Mail scholarship checks to:
UND One-Stop Student Services
2901 University Ave Stop 7155
Grand Forks, ND 58202-7155
Additional options:
- If you need to turn in a scholarship check, a drop box is available at One-Stop Student Services, Memorial Union, Room 302.
- If you do not have a check to mail, please report your scholarship name and amount by emailing onestop@UND.edu.
North Dakota Scholarship and Waiver Programs
For some of the following scholarships and tuition waiver programs, you must be a North Dakota citizen to apply.
UND students in a full degree program may be eligible for this scholarship during the last two years of their program if it leads to a high-need occupation in North Dakota.
- Check the High-Need and Emerging Occupations List on the North Dakota University System website to see if your UND program qualifies.
- UND may provide matching funds for the ND Career Builders Scholarships. See the Donation Form section for additional details.
The state of North Dakota provides financial aid opportunities to high-achieving students, including:
- North Dakota Scholars Program
- North Dakota Academic Scholarship
- North Dakota Dollars for Scholars (New and Returning Students)
- North Dakota Dual-Credit Tuition Scholarship
- North Dakota Career & Technical Education Scholarship
- North Dakota Native American Scholarship Program
- North Dakota Board of Nursing - Nursing Ed Loan
- Tuition assistance is available for students serving in the North Dakota National Guard.
- Submit the State Tuition Assistance Request Form at least 8 business days before classes start.
- If submitting late, contact the State Tuition Manager at 701.333.3008.
Eligibility Criteria
The state of North Dakota provides financial assistance for surviving dependents of a military veteran who:
- Was killed in action,
- Was a Prisoner of War (POW),
- Died of service-related causes,
- Was declared missing in action (MIA) or
- Has a 100% service-connected disability.
The surviving dependent/student must be a resident of North Dakota.
How to Apply
- Complete the ND Resident Tuition Application in UND Campus Connection.
- Select "Dependent of Vet KIA/Disabled" as your residency selection.
- Enter Parent Name.
- Upload Student's Birth Certificate.
- Provide Service Member's DD214 or other documentation.
Eligibility Criteria
The state of North Dakota provides financial assistance for surviving spouses and children of first responders who died as a result of injuries received in the line of duty, including:
- Firefighters.
- Emergency medical service personnel.
- Peace officers.
The surviving dependent/student must be a resident of North Dakota.
How to Apply
- Using Secure File Drop, upload the student's birth certificate or marriage certificate and the death certificate for the family member killed in the line of duty.
- In “Submission Reason Box,” enter ND Front Line Workers Waiver.
Eligibility Criteria
Tuition will be waived at 100% for individuals who meet the following criteria:
- North Dakota resident.
- Aged 65 or older.
- Enrolled in an Audit Class, which means they can attend and participate without taking exams or receiving credit.
How to Apply
- Enroll in classes via Registrar/Campus Connection as Audit Class.
- Email onestop@UND.edu to confirm you are 65 years or older and are registered to audit a course.
UND employees and their family members are eligible for tuition waivers.
National Scholarships
National scholarships offer high-achieving college students exceptional opportunities for academic learning training at the highest levels.
Need help applying? Contact UND's National Scholarship Coordinator for guidance on applying to these nationally competitive programs.
Use these scholarship search engines to explore and apply for a variety of scholarships:
- CollegeBoard
- FastWEB
- College Scholarships
- Global Scholarships
- FedMoney
- Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
- Scholarship Experts
- SoFi Scholarship Search
- Native Forward Scholars Fund
- CollegeWhale
Be cautious of scholarship scams. Legitimate scholarships or other aid programs never require payment to apply or receive aid.
Organizations outside of UND can be a great source of funding for your education.
Find Scholarships
Find scholarships or other forms of financial assistance through:
- Your school counselor about scholarships for graduating seniors.
- Your place of worship or other religious and faith-based communities.
- Local branches of service organizations, such as the Rotary Club or Kiwanis.
- Other organizations, such as ROTC programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs or the North Dakota National Guard.
- Your parents' employers.
- Your employer.
What is the difference between scholarships and waivers?
Scholarships
Monetary gifts that do not require repayment or work. They are part of your financial aid package and may replace some or all of your financial aid eligibility. Scholarships are awarded based on your financial need, academic success and other criteria.
Waivers
Similar to scholarships, waivers reduce college expenses and do not require repayment. They are typically awarded under specific eligibility criteria set by UND or the state of North Dakota.