Scholarships & Waivers
We award more than 3,300 academic scholarships totaling nearly $8.1 million each year.
All scholarships are subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed. Medical School students should consult the School of Medicine & Health Sciences for scholarships.
Scholarship Central
Apply for 975+ scholarships with one application. The 2023-24 application has now closed. The 2024-25 application will open Oct. 1, 2023.
- 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
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, submit your admissions application and send your official transcript to UND by the priority deadline, you'll automatically be awarded a scholarship. As 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 and submit your completed admissions application 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 | $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.
Receive Up to $2,000 in Transfer Scholarships
If you meet the criteria and submit your completed admissions application by the April 15 priority deadline for the upcoming fall semester or the Nov. 15 priority 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 awarded 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.
National Merit Scholars
You 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).
- National Merit Scholar Finalist or Semi-Finalist from North Dakota or Minnesota who selects UND as their first choice on the National Merit Application.
- May be renewable for up to 3 additional years if criteria are met.
Cultural Diversity Scholarship
The University of North Dakota recognizes the educational benefit of a diverse student population and has developed a policy to recruit, assist and retain enrolled members of federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives and Villages, American Indian graduates of tribally-controlled community colleges in North Dakota, and other under-represented groups and economically disadvantaged students.
In order to be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Member of a historically underrepresented population (African American/Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Latino/a/x, Hispanic American or Multiracial).
- Incoming freshman with a high school GPA of 3.00 or higher, OR transfer student from a tribal college with 24 or more college credits, AND a cumulative GPA or 3.00 or higher.
- Enrolled as an on-campus student at UND.
- Be a United States citizen.
- Demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Effective Fall 2022, undergraduate students are eligible for up to $2,750 per semester, or $5,500 per academic year. In some cases, partial scholarships may be awarded.
- Scholarships will be awarded up to but not exceeding the cost of UND in-state tuition.
- Scholarships do not include flight fees, application fees, books, room, board, or other costs of attendance.
- Please note that online tuition cannot be waived through this program.
Visit Scholarship Central to apply. Applications are considered on a chronological basis, using a timestamp, until award funds are depleted.
The duration of the Cultural Diversity Scholarship is up to 120 total credits, first bachelors' degree or eight semesters (fall/spring) as long as the following renewal criteria have been met:
- Campus Connection must list the individual's ethnicity as being an approved under-represented population (African American/Black, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American).
- Earn 12 credit hours per semester.
- Maintain a 2.75 Institutional Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Meet with CDS Advisor | 2 visits per semester.
- Meet with Academic Advisor | 1 visit per semester.
Student-Athlete Scholarships
If you plan to be a student-athlete on an intercollegiate sports team at UND, any scholarships you're awarded are subject to NCAA rules. You may not be able to accept every scholarship you are offered.
You must immediately report all scholarships to the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance by August 1.
Open Door Scholarship
Provides tuition assistance to help current UND students finish their degrees. This scholarship is intended to help students facing financial hardship due to an unforeseen dire circumstance. Examples may include sudden illness, loss of an immediate family member, and unexpected loss of income.
UND Student Finance will take into account the unique financial situation of students who apply and award a one-time scholarship to those who qualify.
Students who are eligible to be considered must:
- Be an admitted undergraduate, graduate or professional student in a degree-seeking program.
- Have completed a FAFSA for the academic year and have 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 and PLUS
loans, and private educational loans.
- For more information on additional loan options, visit our loans page.
If you're a student who meets all of the above criteria, has no other option for financial assistance as described above, and would like to be considered for this award, please complete the application linked below.
Open Door Scholarship Application
Once submitted, please allow 10-15 business days for Student Finance to review your request. You will be notified through your UND email account whether or not you have qualified for the scholarship. Student Finance may also request additional information in order to evaluate your situation.
Please note that this scholarship, if placed on a student's account, could impact other financial aid received.
Angel Fund Scholarship
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.
Students who are eligible to be considered must:
- Must be enrolled in the current semester at UND in undergraduate, graduate or professional programs, who are making satisfactory progress in their respective academic programs.
- Must be be in Academic Good Standing, as defined by the UND Academic Catalog.
- Must not be on Conduct Probation, as defined by the UND Code of Student Life.
Community Housing Navigation Program
TRIO’s 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. Participants may be experiencing barriers preventing participants from obtaining self-sufficiency such as financial constraints, justice involvement and/or knowing what services community agencies/resources are available.
Community Housing Navigation Program
Non-UND Scholarships
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 UND scholarships.
External scholarships must be accounted for in your financial aid package. If you have questions regarding how your award may impact other financial aid you have received, please contact One-Stop.
Where to Send Non-UND Scholarship Checks
Scholarship checks should be mailed to:
One-Stop Student Services
2901 University Ave Stop 7155
Grand Forks, ND 58202-7155
One-Stop Student Services offers a drop box if you need to turn in a scholarship check. If you do not have a check to mail, please let us know about your scholarship early by completing the Outside Aid Reporting Form.
National Scholarships and Fellowships
National scholarships provide high-performing college students exceptional opportunities to experience learning and academic training at the highest levels. Reach out to UND's coordinator for assistance in applying to these nationally competitive programs.
North Dakota Career Builders Scholarship
Students attending UND who are in a full degree program are eligible the last two years of their program as long as it leads to a High-Need Occupation. See High-Need and Emerging Occupations List for qualified programs at the University of North Dakota listed on the North Dakota University System website. The University of North Dakota does not current match dollars for the ND Career Builders Scholarships. See the Private-Sector Donation Form section for additional details.
ND Career Builders Scholarship
Aid for North Dakota Students
The state of North Dakota provides aid 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
North Dakota Tuition Waivers and Tuition Assistance
- Law Enforcement Officers
- National Guard Members
- Surviving dependents of POW/MIA veterans who were killed in action, died of service-related causes, were prisoners of war, have 100% service-connected disability, or who were declared missing in action
- Surviving spouse and children of firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, and peace officers who died as a result of injuries received in the line of duty
- Senior citizens
- North Dakota University System employees and spouses/dependents of system employees
Scholarship Databases
Use the scholarship search engines listed below to research and apply for many scholarships.
- CollegeBoard
- FastWEB
- College Scholarships
- FedMoney
- Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
- Scholarship Experts
- SoFi Scholarship Search
- Native Forward Scholars Fund
Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate, and remember that you don't have to pay to get scholarships or other financial aid.
Other Outside Organizations
Organizations that aren't affiliated with UND can be a great source of funding for your education. Ask your school counselor about awards for graduating seniors.
You may also find scholarships or other forms of financial assistance through:
- Your place of worship or other religious communities
- Local branches of organizations such as the Rotary Club or Kiwanis
- Other organizations, such as Army ROTC, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and North Dakota National Guard
- Your parents' employers
- Your employer
Employee, Spouse and Dependent Tuition Waiver
UND employees and their family members are eligible for tuition waivers.
What is the difference between scholarships and waivers?
Scholarships are monetary gifts, which means you don't need to repay them or earn the funds by working. Scholarships are considered part of your financial aid package, and they may replace some or all of your financial aid eligibility. You may qualify for different scholarships based on your financial need, academic success and other factors.
Waivers are similar to scholarships in that they're used to offset college expenses and don't need to be paid back.