North Dakota State Grant

The North Dakota State Grant, formally the Student Financial Assistance Program, is a need-based grant that does not require repayment. The program serves North Dakota residents who are first-time undergraduate students.¹

A recipient must be enrolled at least quarter-time in an eligible program at a qualifying North Dakota institution. Qualifying institutions are state-accredited public, tribal and private institutions that offer programs of study of at least two years.

Who is eligible for the North Dakota State Grant?

A resident applicant must meet one of the following conditions:

1. Graduation from a high school in North Dakota.
2. Graduation from a high school in a bordering state under North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-29, subject to review by the North Dakota University System (NDUS).
3. Completion of a supervised home education program under North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23.
4. Receipt of a general educational development (GED) diploma from the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction.

How much is the North Dakota State Grant?

The North Dakota State Grant awards up to $1,375 per semester or $917 per quarter, prorated based on your specific enrollment status.

Eligibility is limited to eight semesters or twelve quarters of full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment, or the attainment of a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first. Total State Grant and scholarship awards may not exceed the institution’s cost of attendance.

How does an applicant apply for the North Dakota State Grant?

Applicants apply each year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funding is limited, and NDUS recommends filing as soon as possible after the application opens, generally October 1.

North Dakota University System (NDUS)
(701) 328-4156
ndfinaid@ndus.edu

North Dakota Supplemental State Grant

The Supplemental State Grant is an additional award for State Grant recipients, introduced for the 2025-26 academic year.² The award may not exceed regular undergraduate tuition, and the amount takes into account the estimated Pell Grant and State Grant.

A student is considered for the award when all of the following conditions are met:

1. The student has been awarded the North Dakota State Grant.
2. Total family income reported on the FAFSA is $80,000 or less.
3. The student is enrolled in at least 3 credit hours.
4. The student meets Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards and has completed verification, if required.

No separate application applies. The institution places the award on the financial aid package, and disbursement follows the State Grant disbursement each semester.