North Dakota Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by North Dakota University System

Overview
The North Dakota Scholarship, valued at $6,000, is intended to support eligible graduates attending approved colleges, universities, professional schools, and registered apprenticeship programs within North Dakota. The scholarship’s requirements follow the state’s Choice Ready framework, but note that the scholarship criteria are stricter than the baseline Choice Ready expectations. The framework and statutory requirements are set out in North Dakota Century Code 15.1-21-02.10.

Basic eligibility rule
To qualify, a student must meet the Essential Skills requirements and must also satisfy at least two of three Choice Ready component areas: Post-Secondary Ready, Workforce Ready, and Military Ready. Meeting Essential Skills plus two of the three components qualifies a student for the scholarship. See the North Dakota Scholarship Framework for full, detailed requirement descriptions.

Essential Skills (required)
All applicants must complete the Essential Skills elements listed below:
- Graduate with a North Dakota high school diploma.
- Complete a 9-week Career Education / Individual Counseling sequence, maintain a 4-year rolling plan, pass the North Dakota Civics Test, and earn an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- In addition to the items above, students must achieve four or more of the following indicators:
- 25 hours of community service
- 95% attendance (excluding school-related absences)
- Career exploration experience
- Two or more years participating in organized co-curricular activities
- Two or more years participating in organized extra-curricular activities
- Successful completion of a capstone project
- Successful completion of an online learning course
- Demonstrated competency in 21st Century Skills

Choice Ready components (need two of three)

Post-Secondary Ready
Students must complete both of the following sets:
1) A college entrance test score:
- ACT composite of 24 (or equivalent NDA+ score), or
- SAT composite of 1180.
2) Two or more additional indicators from this list:
- Advanced Placement (AP) course with a grade of A, B, or C (scored as 4, 3, or 2)
- Dual credit course in English or Math with grade A, B, or C (4, 3, or 2)
- Algebra II course with grade A, B, or C (4, 3, or 2)
- AP exam score of 3 or higher
- International Baccalaureate (IB) exam score of 4 or higher
- 3.0 GPA in the core courses required for North Dakota University System admission
- Completion of three fine arts courses with grades A, B, or C (4, 3, or 2)

Workforce Ready
Students must complete both of the following:
1) One of these course/credit options as defined in NDCC 15.1-21-02.10:
- Four credits of Career and Technical Education (CTE) including at least two credits in the same plan of study, OR
- Three credits in the same world, indigenous, or sign language, OR
- Two credits of teaching-related coursework plus two credits of CTE.
2) A qualifying assessment score:
- ACT composite of 24 (or equivalent NDA+), OR
- WorkKeys: a score of 5 or higher on each of the three WorkKeys assessments, OR
- SAT composite of 1180.
Plus, students must have two or more of the following additional indicators:
- Completion of a Career Ready Practices course
- Dual credit course with grade A, B, or C (4, 3, or 2)
- Technical assessment or industry-recognized credential
- Workplace learning experience (minimum 40 hours)
- Work-based learning experience under Perkins V (minimum 40 hours)
- NDSA or NDA+ (Reading/Math) level 3 or greater

Military Ready
Students must complete both of the following:
1) One of these ASVAB options:
- ASVAB score of 50 or greater, OR
- ASVAB score of 31 or greater AND completion of Basic Training.
2) Demonstrate physical fitness by successfully completing required physical education courses with a grade of A, B, or C (4, 3, or 2).

Plus one of the options below:
- Complete two or more additional indicators taken from the Post-Secondary or Workforce lists, OR
- Two credits of military coursework as defined in NDCC 15.1-21-02.10, OR
- Two credits of JROTC, OR
- Completion of Phase 1 of the Cadet Civil Air Patrol program

Verification of indicators
- Public schools: indicate the correct student indicators in the Choice Ready report. The report must be completed by June 30. Any indicator not checked on that report cannot be used to establish scholarship eligibility.
- Nonpublic schools: submit the Nonpublic School Verification Form.
- Home-educated students: parents must complete, sign, have notarized, and submit the Home Education Verification Form.

Application timing and contact information
- The online application for the scholarship will open on January 05, 2026.
- The online application is intended for students who graduate as members of the Class of 2026. Graduates from earlier years should contact Jim Upgren at 701-328-2244.
- Applications received after June 05, 2026 are not guaranteed to be processed in time for award disbursement for the fall 2026 semester.

Additional notes
- The North Dakota Scholarship framework is a practical tool to help educators and students understand the scholarship’s requirements and how they align with the Choice Ready framework while reflecting the higher standards required for this award.