View our NDSCS Scholarship Book
Download the 2024-2025 Scholarship Book
Your Gifts in Action
The NDSCS Foundation Scholarship Program was created for the purpose of attracting and retaining students. The different types of scholarships available to students include academic, athletic, performing arts, technology and service, science and business and general. We are proud to say that our scholarship process allows for over half of all students that apply to obtain some sort of scholarship annually.
NDSCS Student Scholarship Application
Scholarship Luncheons
We currently hold two NDSCS Alumni Foundation Scholarship Luncheons a year. Many of the local scholarship donors or family or business representatives are invited to meet the student recipient of their scholarships. Rich relationships are formed and the student is given the opportunity to thank the scholarship donor in person. View some of our scholarship luncheon photos.
Start an Annual or Endowment Scholarship
As a 501c3 organization, the Foundation offers a tax deduction benefit to those who qualify. For more information on how to start and Annual Scholarship or Endowment, contact the Alumni Foundation Office at (701) 671-2247 or email – ndscs.alumni@ndscs.edu.
Sample Annual Scholarship Form
Sample Endowment Form
The NDSCS Alumni Foundation is committed to the encouragement and support of academic excellence at NDSCS. Thanks to the generous support of alumni, faculty, staff, community and business friends, we are able to award over $1.4 million in student scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Other Student Scholarships
The NDSCS Wildcat Dependent Scholarship is set up for any student that is an employee's direct dependent, non-NDSCS employed spouse, or grandchild of a NDSCS Faculty or Staff member to apply.
One recipient from Staff dependents and one from Faculty dependents will be chosen and announced at the August Faculty and Staff Convocation. Deadline to apply is August 15, 2025. This year's award will be two scholarships averaging $800 each.
All correspondence relative to the scholarship should be sent to: NDSCS Alumni Foundation Director, 800 6th St N, Wahpeton, ND 58076, or by email, ndscs.alumni@ndscs.edu. The scholarship will be awarded at the start of the second semester if the scholarship criteria is met.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any student that is an employee's direct dependent, non NDSCS employed spouse, or grandchild of an employee qualifies
- One recipient from both the Staff and Faculty dependents will be chosen. In the event there is only one applicant, the scholarship will not be combined. The un-award scholarship will be deposited back into the endowment.
- Student must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits) to apply
- Applications due no later than August 15th of each year. Awards will be announced at the August Faculty and Staff Opening Convocation.
- Dual Credit students are excluded.
- After completion of the 1st semester, submit a transcript showing proof of completion of 12 credits and GPA requirement of 2.0 to be awarded second semester.
- Applicants must show proof of registration for upcoming year.
NDSCS Wildcat Dependent Scholarship Application Form
The M. Vertin Scholarship is helping to address workforce needs in North Dakota and the region by supporting students pursuing education in select high-demand programs with low enrollment. Eligible students may be awarded up to $2,000 for the academic year.
Eligibility Criteria
- Students must be in their first year of the academic program.
- Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits.
- Students must have a 2.0 minimum GPA.
- Students must be entering one of the following programs:
- Emergency Medical Services certificate options
- Pharmacy Technician
- Registered Nursing (Associate in Science in Nursing)
- Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Technology
- Powersports Technology
- Building Construction Technology
- Land Surveying and Civil Engineering Technology
- Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology
- Plumbing
- Health Information Technology
- Precision Machining Technology
- Culinary
- Architectural Drafting
Application Process
Students interested in the M. Vertin Scholarship should complete their scholarship application when they submit their application to admission to NDSCS.
Questions
Contact the NDSCS Financial Aid office at (701) 671-2207.
This scholarship program was established by the 2019 Legislative Assembly under the Skilled Workforce Student Scholarship Program (N.D.C.C. 15-10-38.2). The intent of the program is to encourage students to seek educational opportunities in high-need and emerging occupations within the state.
Eligibility
- Admitted to a qualifying program
- Total eligibility not to exceed $17,000 for tuition, fees, books and supplies only
- Institution must have “matching” private sector dollars
- Payment by NDUS made to institution on a semester, quarter or term basis
- Must maintain 2.5 cumulative college GPA or other academic progress
- Students who withdraw (voluntarily or involuntarily) from a program prior to completion will have to repay funds
Scholarship Award Agreement
Student has legal obligation to live and work (in a high need or emerging occupation) in ND for at least 3 years following degree completion or will be required to repay funds received.
Application Process
- Student must apply for the scholarship with their institution.
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Institutions must have private sector matching dollars for the student.
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Institution provides verification of program acceptance, cost analysis and verification of matching funds to NDUS, along with the application.
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Final eligibility determined by NDUS based on completed application and availability of funds.
Questions
Contact the North Dakota University System at (701) 328-2906 or email ndfinaid@ndus.edu.
What is SkillsUSA?
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students. They empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. The organization has 850 national partners and is integral to the training in nearly 20,000 career and technical education classrooms. They represent nearly 380,000 career and technical education students and teachers from middle schools to high schools and college/postsecondary institutions throughout the nation. Students enrolled at NDSCS have the option to become a member of SkillsUSA organization. Members gain access to advanced skills training and leadership development and more.
SkillsUSA changes classrooms. SkillsUSA changes workplaces. SkillsUSA changes lives.
NDSCS SkillsUSA Endowment
The NDSCS Alumni Foundation is proud to announce the new SkillsUSA Partnership Pipeline Leading the Way Endowment. The need for this endowment became apparent with understanding that NDSCS students had a desire to participate in the State SkillsUSA competition but were hesitant to do so because of the anticipated costs of attending the National SkillsUSA competition, which would be the responsibility of each student.
Each year, the endowment will distribute a percentage of the funds to be awarded to students who have earned a trip to the National SkillsUSA competition to help offset expenses. This fund will be held in perpetuity.
The SkillsUSA endowment is possible with the support of donors, businesses, and the North Dakota Challenge Grant, which was established in the 2013-2015 Legislative Session with the purpose to match private donations made to state college foundations by 50%. The goal is to raise $200,000 and the ND Challenge Grant will provide a $100,000 match.
We welcome you to be a part of the Partnership Pipeline and lead the way to close the skills gap while creating a strong future for industry.
Benefits of the Partnership Pipeline:
- Join NDSCS Alumni Foundation in support of offering students the opportunity to showcase their talent at a national level
- Increase the number of students who are interested in participating in SkillsUSA
- Access career ready student leaders who are ready for employment
- Partnership Pipeline Participants will be identified with a framed display in each of the NDSCS Academic Department Buildings
NDSCS SkillsUSA Facts:
- Two NDSCS students will be represented in the WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, France.
- 80+ students participated in the ND State competition in 2024
- 15 students will participate at Nationals in June 2024
- 107 NDSCS are members of SkillsUSA 2024
To learn more about becoming involved - contact: NDSCS Alumni Foundation
Kim Nelson, Executive Director, 701-671-2187, kim.j.nelson@ndscs.edu
Denise Laymon, Senior Development Officer, 701-671-2131, denise.laymon@ndscs.edu
Yoney Fobb, Director of Gift Planning, 701-671-2486, yoney.fobb@ndscs.edu