North Dakota College Grants

Students in North Dakota attending college have access to millions of dollars in free money for college in from state, federal, and private organizations.

In addition to traditional federal grants, such as the Pell Grant, there is money to help North Dakota students for many purposes including money for Native Americans, for technology students, to students with the best academic records, to Korean Americans, for future health care leaders, to those who have demonstrated a commitment to peace and justice, to future teachers, and many others.

When one applies for multiple grants, he will stand a better chance of getting the money to ease his financial burden when attending college. Students can apply for scholarships, which are based on academic need, and grants, which are not.

Federal Pell Grants

North Dakota undergraduate students which have a financial need are eligible to receive this grant. In addition, some post-baccalaureate students can receive the grants, which can be up to $5,500 for a school year. How much money can be awarded is based on the expected family contribution and the cost of attending a particular school.

Even though the grant is renewable, students must apply annually before the deadline by submitting a FAFSA application. This is the largest source of grant money for students, and many state grants are given only to Pell Grant recipients. More information and an online application are available at the federal government website.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

A grant that is based on financial need and is often given together with Pell Grants is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Students who seek a Pell Grant often are first considered for this grant, with award amounts ranging from $100 to $4,000. Any money received does not have to be repaid, and grants are renewable.

The actual award determination will be made by the financial aid counselor at each college, and students applying must submit a FAFSA application before the stated deadline. The money is used for books, tuition, fees, and housing. More information and an online application are available at the federal government website.

The North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant Program

The North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant Program provides 2,500 grants, which do not have to be repaid, to students in the state who attend tribal, private and public colleges. The grants are given based on need to students in the state and help reduce the amount a student must borrow to finance his education.

To be eligible, a student must be:

• An American citizen and North Dakota resident
• A high school graduate or have a GED and be able to meet any admission requirements of the college he or she wants to attend
• Use the grant at a school in North Dakota
• Be a full-time student
• Attend the college the grant is for at least one year
• Not be in default on any federal loans
• Not owe a refund on a Title IV loan or grant
• Be a first-time undergraduate student when the money is given.

The money awarded is from $800 to $1,500 per year. It is possible to reapply each year. Students may apply with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students may accept the state grant online at www.ndus.edu.

The North Dakota Space Grant Consortium Scholarships

The annual scholarships provide money to students attending two-year tribal and public colleges, as well as four year schools, in North Dakota. Those who receive help must be United States citizens and studying in the field of engineering, science, or mathematics.

The amount awarded varies from college to college. Applicants must also have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. The financial aid office at each school will determine how many scholarships are awarded. Students at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University are ineligible for the scholarships.

To be considered for assistance, students must apply to the financial aid office in their school and provide at least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

The University of North Dakota

This school has many grant programs available. Students need to complete a FAFSA form to apply for most of them. Interested students can apply to the financial aid office by visiting www.und.edu or calling 701-777-3121. The mailing address is: Twamley Hall, Room 216, 264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8371, Grand Forks, ND 58202.

North Dakota Scholars Program

As many as 60 freshmen students may receive this award annually in North Dakota. This is a full scholarship program and is merit-based. To be eligible, a student must take an ACT assessment when he is a junior. He or she must take the assessment between October and June and must score in the upper five percent of test takers. The program is renewable for up to three years, if the student keeps a GPA of 3.5.

Information may be obtained by sending an e-mail to peggy.wipf@ndus.nodak.edu or contacting Peggy Wipf, the Director of Financial Aid, North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, 10th Floor, State Capitol, 600 East Boulevard Ave, Dept. 215, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0230.

The North Dakota Indian Scholarship Program

This program is designed to assist students in the state who are of Native American/Eskimo descent obtain a college education. Priority is given to those with a grade point average of 3.5 or above.

The money given may only be used at an institution in the state. Up to 150 awards are given annually. The minimum award amount is $600, and the maximum amount is $900. Those who want to apply must send an application form, proof of tribal enrollment, a financial need analysis, and transcript to Peggy Wipf, Director of Financial Aid, 701-328-4114. The deadline is July 15.

North Dakota Student Financial Assistance Grants

The grants assist state students attending an approved school in the state. Any program a student receiving aid for must last at least nine months. Those who apply must be full-time students and must be United States citizens.

Between 2,500 and 2,600 awards are given annually. Those applying must submit a FAFSA and financial needs analysis to Peggy Wipf, Director of Financial Aid, 701-328-4114. The annual deadline is March 15.

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Essay Contest Scholarship

Those in North Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, Idaho, South Dakota, Montana, Washington and Wyoming must currently be a senior or a senior in the fall to apply for this and have a grade point average of 2.5 or better. They must plan to attend college after graduation.

To apply, students must write an essay of 600 to 1,000 words on a personal encounter they, or someone they know had with alcohol abuse, how it was dealt with, and whether it was dealt with correctly. The criteria for judging the essay are the same as used in a high school essay.

Students must submit the essay, typed and double-spaced, with transcripts, a photo, address and school name, and phone number to Alert Magazine, P.O. Box 4833, Boise, Idaho 83711. More information is available at www.scholarships.com.

North Dakota Academic and Career and Technical Education and Career and Technical Education Scholarships

Students must be high school seniors and must demonstrate academic excellence. Each award is from $750 per semester to $1,500 for a school year. Recipients must be full-time students at a private or public state institution.

Awards are renewed if the student maintains an average of 2.75 or better. Students may be eligible for either the North Dakota Academic Scholarship or the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Scholarship. Students can receive as much as $6,000 for six school years, and the years do not have to be consecutive.

Recipients must be graduates of North Dakota high schools, or schools in a bordering state, must have certification they received at least a 24 on their ACT for the North Dakota Academic Scholarship. For the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Scholarship, they must have graduated from a high school in North Dakota or from a high school in a bordering state according to provisions set, and have certification that the student received a composite score of 24 on the ACT or a score of 5 on each of three.

Please visit the official website for more information or to apply.

Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation Scholarship

These scholarships are given every year to graduate or undergraduate students who live or are attending school in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, or Wisconsin. Friends and members of the foundation provide the funding for the awards, and money also comes from endowment earnings. Past scholarship recipients were members of many faiths, including Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

Applicants must show a commitment to justice and peace by one of the following:

• Completing a justice and peace project
• Demonstrating courage in pursuing peace and justice
• Displaying a continued commitment to, and leadership in, a peace organization
• Serving for a role model in motivating society or church into new realms of practice and thought about peace and justice.

Applicants must also show how the use of the award money for an internship, study, or special project will deepen their personal commitment to justice and peace and justice and promote the same for others. In addition, a personal interview is necessary.

For full details, visit the foundation’s website at www.hawkinsonfoundation.org.

MGMA Midwest Section Scholarships

This is for residents of North Dakota, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program which pertains to medical practice management.

The ACMPE Scholarship Fund Incorporated supports and promotes health care leaders’ professional and personal growth which advances the profession. Recipients are those who demonstrate potential for contributing to the medical practice management profession.

Eligible students are those who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program including public health, business administration and health care administration, which is relevant to medical practice management.

Information about applying is available at www.mgma.com.

Korean American Scholarship Foundation, Midwestern Regional Chapter

College students of Korean heritage are eligible. Students must be enrolled in a full-time graduate or undergraduate program to apply. Those who receive the awards are chosen based on academic achievement, financial need, community service, and school activities.

Everyone who applies must submit an application to the respective Korean American Scholarship Foundation region, which is designated by the state where the school is located. Those who want to apply can go to www.kasf.org and click “North Dakota” on the map.

Minnesota Territorial Pioneers

The Minnesota Territorial Pioneers annually gives a scholarship for use at an accredited college which must be within the boundaries of the original Minnesota Territory.

All applicants must be at least in the 12th grade. They must provide proof of acceptance from an accredited academic college or university or junior college which is within the original boundaries of the Minnesota Territory.

Those who apply do not need to join the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers. Once the student who has received the award has proven he or she has completed the first term, a $500 scholarship will be given to the school to pay for expenses during the second term. Family members of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers may not receive an award.

Those who apply must write an essay of from 750-1,000 words, not counting the bibliography. The topic this year is, “What person played a significant role in the Minnesota Territory and influenced the region to this day?” Information about how to format the essay is available on the website of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers.

There is a link to apply at www.mnterritorialpioneers.org. The link is not active yet; however, there is a message that it will be active in the fall of 2011.

Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute Scholarships

This scholarship gives money to full-time students in their junior and senior year who pursue a career in mining. A resident from each state in the Institute is selected from among the appropriate schools. A tuition credit is given for a recipient’s senior year. In addition, an award may be given to a post-graduate if a school recommends it.

All applicants must be full-time college sophomores or junior in good standing, U.S. citizens and legal residents of states represented by the Institute (North Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Texas, Wyoming, and Utah).

They must also be seeking a degree in a mining-related field or in engineering disciplines including geology, mining, metallurgy, mineral processing, mechanical, environmental, and electrical. They must be interested in Western coal as a career path.

Those with questions may call 303-948-3300. Visit www.rmcmi.org to apply. The deadline each year is February 1.

Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange Program

Full scholarships are given to high school students between 15-18 who have a GPA of 3.0 or above, to live and study the next year in Germany. High School graduates must meet the age requirements.

The United States Department of State provides funding for the program. It is administered by four separate exchange organizations in America, along with partner organizations in Germany.

The goal of the program is to provide international and multicultural understanding, leadership development, and global awareness among American high school students. The program also seeks to strengthen ties between young people in the USA and Germany.

Applicants do not need to have prior knowledge of the German language. All scholarship recipients spend three weeks learning the language and culture while in Germany.

Scholarships cover airfare, a three-week language and culture program in Germany, a four day pre-departure orientation in Washington, DC, trips to Weimar and Berlin, an opportunity to meet both United States and German legislators, basic health insurance, support services while overseas, placement with a German host family and attendance at a German high school.

Students must pay for the cost of travel to a regional interview, pay for a flight to Washington D.C., pay for their passports, and provide spending money.

Fifty scholarships are given for the areas of North Dakota, Oregon, Northern California, Washington, Hawaii, Montana, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The current application deadline has passed. For an application to the next event, the website is www.usagermanyscholarship.org/app.

Dacotah Bank Scholarship

This bank in Valley City provides two $500 scholarships for students attending Valley City State University. While other awards may be given, preference will be for students from Barnes County who are seeking a degree in the field of business. Scholarships are given to one female and one male. Preference is given to one upperclassman and one new student.

Information about applying is at www.dacotahbank.com.

College Grant Information By State