The starting point
NDSU guarantees an automatic GPA-based first-year scholarship grid ($1,000-$3,000/year, no application) with a transcript-by-July-1 trigger, then layers on competitive named awards including a $20,000 National Merit Finalist scholarship and up-to-full-base-tuition STEM award. DRAFT.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 5 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
First-Year Guaranteed Scholarship (automatic GPA/test grid)
$1,000-$3,000/year (maximum of four years) · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.98-4.00 → $3,000/yr; 3.80-3.97 → $2,000/yr; 3.65-3.79 → $1,500/yr; 3.0-3.64 → $1,000/yr · SAT: Alternative top tier: 3.0+ GPA & 1370+ SAT → $3,000/yr · ACT: Alternative top tier: 3.0+ GPA & 30+ ACT → $3,000/yr
Eligibility: First-Year students admitted to NDSU who submit a final official high school transcript by July 1 are guaranteed the minimum scholarship amount.
Renewal: Guaranteed minimum amount for a maximum of four years. If a student receives a renewable scholarship exceeding the guaranteed minimum, the higher award replaces (does not add to) the guaranteed minimum.
Other terms: Automatic, no separate application required for the guaranteed minimum (transcript by July 1 triggers it). Submitting the scholarship application by February 1 may qualify a student for additional one-time awards and higher-value renewable scholarships.
https://www.ndsu.edu/admission/cost-aid/scholarships
Transfer Guaranteed Scholarship (automatic GPA grid)
$1,000-$2,000 (renewable for one additional year) · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.5-4.0 → $2,000; 3.0-3.49 → $1,000
Eligibility: Transfer students with at least 12 transferable credits completed, admitted to NDSU by August 1 (fall) or December 1 (spring), working toward their first bachelor's degree. Students transferring after one semester or less may instead be considered for First-Year Guaranteed Scholarships.
Renewal: Renewable for one additional year (two years total). If a student receives a renewable scholarship exceeding the guaranteed minimum, the higher award replaces (does not add to) the guaranteed minimum.
Other terms: Automatic for qualifying transfers; renewable for only one additional year (unlike the four-year first-year guarantee).
https://www.ndsu.edu/admission/cost-aid/scholarships
National Merit Finalist Scholarship
$20,000 over four years ($5,000/year for a maximum of 4 years) · Published award terms
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Awarded to National Merit Semi-Finalists who reach Finalist status and notify the National Merit Scholarship Corporation of NDSU as their final choice. Must be admitted to NDSU by February 1.
Renewal: $5,000/year for a maximum of 4 years.
Other terms: Requires designating NDSU as your National Merit final-choice school; not automatic from stats.
https://www.ndsu.edu/admission/cost-aid/scholarships
