The North Dakota Scholarship is a merit award that can total up to $6,000 for students continuing their education in the state. Rather than relying only on GPA, it follows the Choice Ready framework: every applicant completes essential skills and documents two of three areas—postsecondary, workforce or military readiness. The school must record the evidence, so begin with your counselor instead of waiting for the state form to open.
For the Class of 2027, the public process begins January 4, 2027. Before then, ask for a transcript review and check the indicators supporting each pathway. Public districts must mark the correct indicators in Choice Ready by June 30; the state says an unmarked item cannot later be used to prove eligibility. Nonpublic schools submit a verification form. Home-educated students need forms, a transcript and evidence of the applicable tests or criteria.
The online application for 2027 graduates closes June 4, 2027. You need a North Dakota Login account, an email address you can access after graduation and documents ready to upload. Do not submit the Class of 2026 application by mistake; its window has closed. The official page warns that applications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be processed for fall. Save a printable copy or PDF of what you submit, confirm receipt and contact the state promptly if the portal does not recognize your class year.
Disbursements may be $750 per semester or $500 per quarter up to $6,000, with six years to use the total. Renewal is reviewed each term if you are full time, maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA and complete sufficient progress toward a credential; later payments carry earned-credit thresholds. Ask your institution how it defines full time, how credits transfer and whether a reduced load changes payment. Before withdrawing from a class, compare academic consequences, tuition refunds and scholarship rules: the progress schedule makes timing important.
Public instructions emphasize that a missing school indicator can close an eligibility pathway, a concrete warning for families and counselors. We did not find current, verifiable personal testimonials from recipients of the new program, so this guide does not attribute experiences to students. Keep evidence of courses, attendance, assessments and service where applicable; check the Choice Ready record before the school deadline and submit before June 4. For program assistance, call the Department of Public Instruction at 701-328-2244. If you graduated in a different class year, confirm the correct process before uploading records.
Compare the options and confirm eligibility and deadlines directly with the program before applying.
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North Dakota Scholarship — Department of Public Instruction
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505
The North Dakota Scholarship offers up to $6,000 to students graduating from high school who meet a combination of academic skills and preparation for college, work or military service. Graduation alone is not enough: applicants need the essential-skills component plus at least two of three pathways
State scholarship of up to $6,000 for graduates who meet essential skills plus two of three pathways: Postsecondary Ready, Workforce Ready or Military Ready. Renewal is automatic each term with full-time enrollment, a 2.75 cumulative GPA and satisfactory
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of North Dakota Scholarship — Department of Public Instruction ↗
Primary source
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of North Dakota Scholarship — Department of Public Instruction ↗
Primary source
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of North Dakota Scholarship — Department of Public Instruction ↗
Primary source
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of North Dakota Scholarship — Department of Public Instruction ↗
Primary source
North Dakota University System · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.