North Dakota Student Loans And Financial Aid Programs
North Dakota has several private student loan and financial aid programs that can help you pay for college. If you're going to be attending college in North Dakota, you need to be looking to take advantage of these programs.
These programs are designed to help make college more affordable - so that you can get the education you need. These programs can include scholarships, grants, and student loans.
Don't forget that there are Federal student loan programs available as well. You can find out more on how to get a Federal student loan here.
There is also a specific order of operations to pay for college that we recommend students follow. These programs specific to the State of North Dakota can help you to avoid borrowing more money than you need to.
North Dakota Student Loan Programs
North Dakota has a special DEAL Student Loan Program offered through the Bank of North Dakota to help residents pay for college. This loan has zero fees if you're attending college in the state.
There interest rates are on par with the best student loan rates, but the borrowing limit is lower than many other loan programs. Learn about the DEAL Student Loan here.
If you're just looking for private student loan options, we recommend:
- Credible - Like the Kayak of student loans, they help you shop around and compare options. Try Credible here.
- Commonbond - One of the best private student loan lenders. Try Commonbond here.
North Dakota Scholarship Programs
North Dakota has several scholarships available to students who want to attend school in the state.
North Dakota Academic Scholarship
The North Dakota Legislature created this scholarship to encourage and reward high school students for taking challenging coursework in preparation for attending a college or university in North Dakota.
Total possible value is $6,000; disbursed $750 per semester or $500 per quarter. Recipients have up to six years following high school graduation to use the scholarship. To qualify for a disbursement, recipients must be enrolled full time, as defined by the financial aid office at the institution, maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average requirement of 2.75, and maintain progress toward degree completion requirements of the scholarship. For the purposes of the North Dakota scholarship, "progress toward degree completion" means earning the following minimum number of credits after each semester or quarter term disbursement to qualify for the subsequent disbursement.
North Dakota Career & Technical Education Scholarship
The North Dakota Legislature created this scholarship to encourage and reward high school students for taking challenging coursework in preparation for attending a college or university in North Dakota.
Total possible value is $6,000; disbursed $750 per semester or $500 per quarter. Recipients have up to six years following high school graduation to use the scholarship. To qualify for a disbursement, recipients must be enrolled full time, as defined by the financial aid office at the institution, maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average requirement of 2.75, and maintain progress toward degree completion requirements of the scholarship.
North Dakota Indian Scholarship
Students can earn up to $2,000 in scholarship funding per year. Recipients must maintain GPAs of 2.0 or higher.
Learn more about the Indian Scholarship.
North Dakota Scholars Program
This program provides merit-based, full-tuition scholarships to qualifying North Dakota high school graduates who choose to earn undergraduate degrees in North Dakota.
The amount of the scholarship is equal to the tuition rate charged at the scholar's institution, not to exceed the highest regular resident undergraduate tuition rate in the North Dakota University System. Scholars may receive the award for nor more than eight semesters or twelve quarters of full-time enrollment, or until the attainment of a baccalaureate degree, whichever occurs first. Scholarships will be sent directly to the institution the student is attending.
Learn more about the Scholars Program.
North Dakota Grant Programs
North Dakota also has a grant program to provide need based financial aid to North Dakota residents.
Grants are one of the best forms of financial aid because, in most circumstances, you don't have to pay the money back.
State Grant Program
The North Dakota Student Incentive State Grant program provides non-repayable grants to North Dakota residents who are first-time undergraduate students and who attend qualifying North Dakota public, private or tribal colleges.
North Dakota State Grants award up to $1,100 per semester or $733 per quarter, based on enrollment status. Students may reapply each year by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 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.
You can learn more about the State Grant Program.
Other Options
If you already have student loans and are looking for options as a North Dakota resident, check out our North Dakota Student Loan Forgiveness Program page. That page has all the different options available to North Dakota residents to potentially get some of your student loan debt forgiven.
You might also look at refinancing your student loans and saving money in interest while also potentially lowering your payment. Check out our guide on the Best Places To Refinance Your Student Loans.
If you're looking for ways to save for college in North Dakota, check out the North Dakota 529 Plan and College Savings Guide.
Finally, check out the other student loan and financial aid programs by state.
