STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

North Dakota University System
10th Floor, State Capitol
600 East Boulevard Ave, Dept. 215
Bismarck, ND 58505-0230
Telephone: 701-328-2960

www.ndus.edu

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of North Dakota.

Tuition Waivers Available at NDUS Institutions

Senior citizens, peace officers, and fire fighters are just some of the groups of students who are eligible for tuition or other fees to be waived for some programs if certain conditions are met.

The North Dakota Legislative Assembly and the State Board of Higher Education have recognized that in certain limited situations it is desirable to promote an educational or statutory goal by waiving tuition charges for select students.

Persons interested in these waivers should contact the North Dakota University System institution where they applied for admission to receive more detailed information about the waiver application and eligibility.

ND State Student Incentive Grant Program

August 13, 2007

The North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant Program provides approximately 3500-4000 non-repayable grants to North Dakota residents pursuing their undergraduate degree and who attend North Dakota's public, private (not-for-profit), and tribal colleges. The purpose of this need-based grant is to assist students with their cost of attending a North Dakota post-secondary institution. A State Grant also reduces the amount of money a student needs to borrow for his or her education.

To be eligible for State Grant consideration, a student must meet all of the following requirements:

be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and a North Dakota resident;
be a high school graduate, or hold a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), and be able to meet all admission requirements as a full-time student of an eligible institution;
use the Grant at an eligible college in North Dakota;
enroll as a full-time student as defined by the college you attend;
enroll in a program of at lease one academic year as defined by your college;
be a first-time undergraduate student during the period of award;
not be in default on any federal financial aid loans; and
not owe a refund on any Title IV grants or loans.

The application for this Grant is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the deadline date for top consideration of this Grant is the receipt date of March 15.

The amount of a North Dakota State Grant ranges from $600-$1,000 for an academic year. A student may apply for this Grant each year by completing the FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA application.

Persons interested in applying for the State Grant Program or who may have any questions about the program are invited to contact the Director of Financial Aid via e-mail or by telephone (701) 328-4114.

Technology Occupations Student Loan Forgiveness Program

January 11, 2007

The intent of the Technology Occupation Student Loan Program is to reduce student loan indebtedness for individuals who have graduated in a technology related field and been employed in a technology occupation in North Dakota for one year.

The number of funded applicants is limited and contingent upon legislative appropriations; therefore, not all qualified applicants are assured funding. All qualified applicants for this Program will be considered in chronological order by the date the application is received in the North Dakota University System office. Please note that applications for this program will not be accepted prior to May 1.

The Bank of North Dakota will be responsible for applying loan forgiveness payments for funded recipients by July 30th of each year. The North Dakota University System Office will notify all funded recipients of their award by July 30th of each year; no notice will be sent to applicants not funded.

Funding recipients are eligible to receive up to $1,000 per year in continued loan forgiveness for each year they are employed in an approved technology occupation in North Dakota, subject to a maximum of $3,000. Individuals must apply or re-apply annually for new or continued funding.

For a copy of the applicable procedure and application materials please contact the North Dakota University System office.

Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness Program

January 11, 2007

The intent of the Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness Program is to reduce a student's loan indebtedness for individuals teaching in North Dakota at grade levels and/or in content areas identified by the Department of Public Instruction as having a teacher shortage.

The number of annual loan reductions is limited and contingent upon legislative appropriations. Therefore, not all qualified applicants are assured funding. All qualified applicants for this Program will be considered in chronological order by date application is received in the North Dakota University System Office and as further defined in Section 3 of NDUS procedures 508.1.2 which is included in the application materials. Please note that applications and letters of employment certification will not be accepted prior to April 1.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction will identify teacher shortage areas annually. The Bank of North Dakota will be responsible for processing the loan forgiveness payment to financial institutions holding student loans for funded recipients by July 30th of each year. The North Dakota University System Office will notify all funded recipients by July 30th; no notice will be sent to applicants not funded.

Funding recipients are eligible to receive up to $1000 per year in continued loan forgiveness for each consecutive year they teach in a teacher shortage area, subject to a maximum of $3,000.

For a copy of the application materials please contact the North Dakota University System office.

North Dakota Indian Scholarship Program

February 27, 2006

The North Dakota Indian Scholarship assists American Indian students in obtaining a college education by providing scholarships ranging in amount from $500 to $2000 per year to approximately 150 to 175 eligible applicants each year. This Scholarship is based upon scholastic ability and financial unmet need.

To be eligible for consideration of a North Dakota Indian Scholarship, an applicant:

must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and a resident of North Dakota,
must have been accepted for admission at an institution of higher learning or state vocational education program within North Dakota,
must be enrolled full-time, and
may not have a grade point average below 2.00.

Persons interested in applying for the North Dakota Indian Scholarship may print out the application form (Adobe Acrobat file) shown below or contact the North Dakota University System office to obtain an application. You may also email the Coordinator of Multicultural Education to assist with any questions or contact her by telephone at (701) 328-9661. Mailing address: 919 S 7th St, Suite 300, Bismarck ND 58504-5881

State Financial Aid Information

Find state financial aid information for the specific state that you live in. Find contact information for your local federal aid office, and get details about specific federal aid programs in your area.