North Dakota Academic Scholarship
Offered by North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · Free to apply
High-achieving North Dakota graduates receive $750 per semester, $1,500 a year and up to $6,000 in total, toward any approved North Dakota college, professional school, or registered apprenticeship. Qualifying takes a 3.0 overall GPA with no grade below a C in the required courses, an ACT composite of 24 or higher, the state civics test, a career education course, a four-year rolling plan, and two of three readiness components; a parallel CTE version accepts WorkKeys scores of 5 or better in place of the ACT. Students file a short application with the Department of Public Instruction during senior year, typically from early January until June 1, and it has to be submitted before graduation. Full-time enrollment with a 2.75 college GPA renews it automatically, and the money can be used any time within six years of finishing high school.
How hard is the North Dakota Academic Scholarship to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~2 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to North Dakota residents
- Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
- Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only
- Fewer rivalsRequires at least a 3 GPA
- Fewer rivalsRequires a minimum test score
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the North Dakota Academic Scholarship?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of North Dakota
- Open to high school seniors
- GPA of 3 or higher (unweighted)
- ACT score of 24 or higher
- Must complete the ND Scholarship 'essential skills' component plus 2 of 3 readiness components (Post-Secondary Ready, Workforce Ready, Military Ready)
- Essential skills include a career education course, a 4-year rolling plan, passing the ND civics test, a 3.0+ overall GPA, and additional readiness indicators
- Required coursework aligns to (and is more rigorous than) ND Choice Ready; exact courses are listed in the DPI framework document
- Application must be submitted before high school graduation; the window closes in early June of senior year
- A parallel CTE pathway accepts WorkKeys scores of 5 or higher in all three areas in place of the ACT
- Usable only at approved North Dakota colleges, universities, professional schools, and registered apprenticeship programs
- Renewal requires full-time enrollment, a 2.75 cumulative college GPA reviewed each term, and adequate degree progress
What the application takes
- Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is June 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 1 each year. Applications open early January. The application must be in before you graduate, so file in the winter of senior year once your ACT score and required courses are on the transcript.
- Application opens on the DPI portal
- Early January of senior year 2027
- Final ACT or WorkKeys scores and coursework on the transcript
- Spring of senior year
- Application closes
- June 1, 2027
- Funds released to your college
- Each semester
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the North Dakota Academic Scholarship
How much is the North Dakota Academic Scholarship worth?
The North Dakota Academic Scholarship awards $1,500/yr (up to $6,000 total) and is renewable in later years.
When is the North Dakota Academic Scholarship deadline?
The current deadline is June 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 1 each year. Applications open early January. The application must be in before you graduate, so file in the winter of senior year once your ACT score and required courses are on the transcript.
When do North Dakota Academic Scholarship applications open?
Applications open early January, and close June 1, 2027. The application must be in before you graduate, so file in the winter of senior year once your ACT score and required courses are on the transcript.
Who is eligible for the North Dakota Academic Scholarship?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of North Dakota; Open to high school seniors; GPA of 3 or higher (unweighted); ACT score of 24 or higher.
Does the North Dakota Academic Scholarship require an essay?
No essay is required. The application does ask for a transcript. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the North Dakota Academic Scholarship?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.
Is the North Dakota Academic Scholarship free to apply?
Yes. The North Dakota Academic Scholarship is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.