Scholarships & Waivers

We award more than 2,000 academic scholarships totaling nearly $8.2 million each year.

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.

Current Student Scholarships at UND

The best way to search and apply for undergraduate, graduate and law scholarships is to use Scholarship Central. Medical school students should consult the School of Medicine & Health Sciences for scholarships.

You must be accepted to UND before you can apply for scholarships in Scholarship Central. All scholarships are subject to change. Funding for these awards is limited and not guaranteed.

Automatic Scholarships for New Students

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.

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.

National Merit Scholarships

New Student - National Merit Scholars

If you're a National Merit Scholar Finalist or Semi-Finalist from North Dakota or Minnesota and select UND as your first choice on the National Merit Application, you'll receive a UND scholarship equivalent to full tuition and mandatory student fees (renewable for up to 3 additional years if criteria are met).

This scholarship is in addition to other UND scholarships and waivers you're eligible to receive (up to the full cost of attendance).

Current Student - National Scholarships

National scholarships provide high-performing students exceptional opportunities to experience learning and academic training at the highest levels. Let us help you apply.

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

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 Career & Technical Education Scholarship
• North Dakota Indian Scholarship Program
• North Dakota Board of Nursing - Nursing Ed Loan

Scholarship Databases

There are many resources that offer access to scholarship information. Use the scholarship search engines listed below as an effective way to gain access to many scholarships.

• CollegeBoard
• FastWEB
• College Scholarships
• FedMoney
• Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
• Scholarship Experts

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. Check out Federal Student Aid's information on how to avoid scams.

 

Cultural Diversity Scholarship

Per SBHE policy 820, the Cultural Diversity Scholarship is meant to "promote enrollment of a culturally diverse student body, including members of Indian tribes and economically disadvantaged students, for the benefit of all students and the academic community, to promote the enrollment of graduate students and research, and for other purposes consistent with an institution's mission."  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the Cultural Diversity Scholarship Program?

Recognizing the educational benefit of a diverse student population, the University of North Dakota adopted a Cultural Diversity Scholarship program. Special emphasis of this policy is 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, all other under-represented groups and economically disadvantaged students.

Who is eligible for the Cultural Diversity Scholarship?

You must meet all of the following definitions for eligibility under this program:

1. Individuals historically under-represented (African American/Black, American Indian, Asian American Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American).
2. Incoming first-year students with a minimum high school GPA of 3.00 OR, transfer students, having earned 24 or more credits with a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.00 from a tribal college, are eligible to apply for the Cultural Diversity Scholarship.
3. Funding will be reviewed based on academic eligibility and when the application is received, priority in which it was received.
4. Must be a United States Citizen.
5. Must demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

How do I apply for the Cultural Diversity Scholarship?

1. In order to be eligible for the Cultural Diversity Scholarship, you must be an admitted, degree-seeking undergraduate first-time, full-time student or transfer student (having earned 24 or more credits and minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.00) from a tribal college.  First-year applicants must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.00.
2. The application will open in Scholarship Central on Oct. 1. Priority will be given based on the submitted application date, which includes timestamp, until all scholarships have been given. 

What funding can I receive through the Cultural Diversity Scholarship Program?

1. Scholarships will not exceed the amount of North Dakota in-state tuition. Scholarships do not include flight fees, application fees, books, board, room or other costs of attendance. In addition, partial scholarships may be awarded.
2. Online tuition will not be waived through this program.
3. Undergraduate students are eligible for up to $2750 per semester, not to exceed $5500 per academic year.

Scholarship Renewal Requirements

The duration of the scholarship is up to 120 total credits or eight semesters (fall/spring) as long as renewal criteria has been met. In addition to the criteria below, 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).

Freshman

• 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
• Meet with each Instructor | 1 visit per semester

Sophomore

• 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
• Meet with each Instructor | 1 visit per semester

Junior

• 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

Senior

• 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.

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

Where to Send Scholarship Checks

Scholarship checks should be mailed to:

One-Stop Student Services
2901 University Avenue 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.

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.

Emergency Scholarships

Emergency scholarships exist to assist UND students in resolving barriers to their success for which financial support is needed.

Angel Fund Scholarship

Limited financial support from the Angel Fund is available to students enrolled in the current semester at UND in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs who are making satisfactory progress in their academic program.

In order to be eligible to receive support from the Angel Fund, students must be in Academic Good Standing, as defined by the UND Academic Catalog, and not on Conduct Probation, as defined by the UND Code of Student Life.

For more information, or to apply for the Angel Fund scholarship, visit view the Angel Fund Request Form.

Open Door Scholarship

The UND Open Door Scholarship provides tuition assistance to help students finish their degrees. 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.

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.

Students who are eligible to be considered for the Open Door Scholarship 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 are 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 electronic 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.

Open Door Scholarship Application

Waivers

Employee, Spouse and Dependent Tuition Waiver

UND employees and their family members are eligible for tuition waivers.

UND Human Resources