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ND Career Builders

How Can the ND Scholarship & Loan Repayment Program Work for You?

The ND Career Builders program provides matching funds to help North Dakota businesses recruit employees and keep talent in North Dakota. We are seeking businesses to participate and invest in this unique partnership!

This is a tool for businesses to recruit and retain talent in high-need occupations in ND.  This innovative partnership provides $1 of state funds for each $1 of matching funds, up to a total of $17,000 per recipient! Recipients can receive a scholarship while enrolled in college, or student loan repayment once they have finished their program of study and are seeking employment in an in-demand occupation within ND.  It is a win for businesses, students, employees, and the state!

Be part of the solution to keep talent in ND.

Donate, participate or learn more about the ND Career Builders Scholarship & Loan Repayment program at NDUS.edu/career-builders or contact NDUS directly by phone at 701-328-2906 or email at ndfinaid@ndus.edu.

Questions? Get in Touch!

    High-Need and Emerging Occupations List

    The High-Need and Emerging Occupations List is what drives the program.  The Workforce Development Council and ND Job Service review and establish the qualifying high-need and emerging occupations annually.

     

     

    SCHOLARSHIP LIST

    • Qualifying programs for the scholarship may be certificate programs, associate’s programs, or bachelor’s programs in the final two years of the bachelor student’s degree.
    • Qualifying programs must directly relate to one of the high-need occupations.
    • Students must be enrolled in a qualifying certificate or degree program at a ND institution.
    • Recipients must live in ND and work within ND for 3 years following completion of their program.
      • Failing to complete the program of study, or failing to live within ND and work in an in-demand occupation within ND after completing the programs of study, will result in the scholarship recipient repaying the scholarship to the state.
    • You can view the scholarship list, the high-need occupations, and qualifying programs here:  SCHOLARSHIP High Need and Emerging Occupations List

       

     

    LOAN REPAYMENT LIST

    • Employees must be newly hired to work in ND in one of the high-need occupations on the list.
    • Qualifying applicants must have completed a program of study and hold a student loan balance.  Programs from either within or outside of ND qualify.
    • Applicants must live within ND and work within ND in a high-need occupation to qualify.
    • You can view the high-need occupations for loan repayment here: LOAN REPAYMENT High-Need and Emerging Occupations List

     

    Scholarship Details

    • Students must be admitted into a qualifying certificate or degree program in the state.
      • Qualifying programs may be certificate, associate’s level, or bachelor’s level in the final 2 years of the bachelor student’s degree.
      • Eligibility is limited to 4 semesters or 6 quarters.
      • Qualifying programs must relate to a high-need occupation.

     

    • The institution will initiate the scholarship application process with the student and then, the NDUS will confirm final eligibility based on program guidelines.
      • A 2.50 minimum GPA is required for payment.
      • Full-time enrollment, according to the degree plan, is required for payment.
      • The scholarship is contingent upon matching funds being available for the student.
      • Matching funds from a private-sector donor, or other qualifying public funds, must be received by the NDUS prior to payment being issued.  The NDUS will match the donors funds $1 for $1, up to $17,000.
      • Payments may not exceed the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies up to a lifetime maximum of $17,000.

     

    • Scholarship recipients have the obligation to reside in ND, and to work in a high-need occupation in ND for at least 3 years following program completion.  There is a 6-month window to meet the requirements following program completion.
      • Students accepted into the program will be required to sign a Scholarship Award Agreement, which will be legally binding.  Failure to meet the terms of the Scholarship Award Agreement will result in scholarship funds being repaid by the student.
      • Repayment of the funds received could be triggered by:
        • Withdrawing from the program prior to completion, either voluntarily or involuntarily;
        • Failing to live in ND following program completion (3 years minimum);
        • Failing to work in a high-need occupation within ND (3 years minimum) following program completion.
      • Students who must repay scholarship dollars will repay BOTH the state funds and the private-sector funds.
      • Students should keep in mind that if signing other 3rd party agreements with employers, there may be additional obligations to meet with that organization.  No repaid scholarship dollars are returned to the private-sector matching funds donor.

    Loan Repayment Details

    • Graduates of any program of study may apply for the ND Career Builders Loan Repayment by completing the application with their employer.
      • The program of study does not have to be completed from a ND college.
    • Applicants newly hired into their high-need occupation within ND will be considered.  “Newly hired” means an employee who was hired within 24 months of the application being received by the NDUS.
    • Upon application and prior to each payment, applicants will be required to provide documentation to the NDUS.
    • Matching funds from a private-sector donor, or other qualifying public funds, must be received by the NDUS prior to payment being issued.  The NDUS will match the donors funds $1 for $1, up to $17,000.
    • Payments may not exceed $5,667 per year, or one-third of the applicant’s outstanding student loan principal balance at the time of application, whichever is less.  Payments are made over 3 years.
    • Eligible loans include federal student loans or private alternative student loans.  Other private loan/debt that is not a “student loan”, such as  home equity, credit card debt, or other consolidated debt that is no longer a “student loan”, will not be considered.

    Apply Here

     

    SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION:

    Students should first review the High-Need and Emerging Occupations List to determine if the program and institution are listed  and then, PRIOR to starting the application, visit with the college financial aid office.  The college will direct students regarding eligibility for the program as well as the application process.  Contact the NDUS at ndfinaid@ndus.edu or at 701-328-2906 if you have any questions on the application or how to proceed.

     

    • STEP 1:    Visit with your NDCB CAMPUS CONTACT, who is usually in financial aid, to determine if your program qualifies, and if private sector dollars are available for the required match.

     

    • STEP 2:    STOP!!  Do not start the application without first confirming your eligibility with your campus contact.   Once you have confirmed that you are eligible to apply, CLICK HERE-SCHOLARSHIP to apply for the ND Career Builders Scholarship program.

     

    • STEP 3:    Watch for subsequent emails to complete the entire application process, including the legally-binding Scholarship Award Agreement.

     

     

    LOAN REPAYMENT APPLICATION:

    Employees interested in loan repayment can complete the application with their employer and send it to the NDUS.  All three sections of the application should be sent to the NDUS together.  Read the application carefully and submit all required documentation.  Contact the NDUS at ndfinaid@ndus.edu or at 701-328-2906 if you have any questions on the application or how to proceed.

     

     

    • STEP 2:   Complete the application with your employer.

     

    • STEP 3:   Either mail the completed application to NDUS, or use our secure drop box to upload your application and supporting documents.  Emailed applications will not be accepted.

     

    Program Testimonials

    This program changes lives, builds communities, and makes a significant impact in ND!

    Businesses and students across the state share their experiences with the program.

    View their full Q&A

    Donation Form

    WHY ARE MATCHING DONOR DOLLARS NEEDED?  The ND Career Builders Program is a partnership between business and the state.  The ND University System (NDUS) cannot issue payment without private-sector or other qualifying public funds being received by the NDUS.  The impact of this program is great as scholarship or loan repayment dollars issued by businesses are doubled using the ND Career Builder program.  It is a win for business, students and employees!

     

    WHAT IS MEANT BY PRIVATE-SECTOR FUNDS, OR OTHER PUBLIC FUNDS,  FOR PURPOSES OF THE ND CAREER BUILDERS PROGRAM?  Private sector funds may be any source of funding from a business, an association, a local entity, such as a city or a job development authority, or even qualifying funds from institutions.  Essentially, any funds identified to assist in recruiting and retaining talent in ND can make up the match, except for other federal or state financial aid programs, or Challenge Grant funding.

     

    Thank you for your interest in the ND Career Builders Scholarship & Loan Repayment Program. Your donation will help grow business across ND by filling positions that are highly needed in the state, possibly even for your own business! 

    Students and employees will also benefit through access and affordability, and reduced loan indebtedness. 

     

    • Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the state up to $8,500 total per recipient.
    • Donated dollars become part of the ND Career Builders Program and a donor cannot request funds to be returned once receipted by the NDUS.
    • Donors can direct funds to:
      • Specific colleges.
      • Specific programs.
      • Specific students (only if the donor is not an individual).
      • The scholarship program, loan repayment program, or both!
      • The general good of ND Career Builders.
    • YOU decide where you want to send your donation.
      • Payments will be accepted directly by the NDUS on behalf of the program, or
      • Donors may also contact a participating college in ND to inquire on how to contribute toward this program through the college or foundation.

     

    Download the donation form here →  ND Career Builders Donation Form

     

    If you have additional questions, please contact the NDUS at ndfinaid@ndus.edu or at 701-328-2906.

    Toolkit for Marketing ND Career Builders

    The following resources were developed for businesses and institutions to use in the promotion of the ND Career Builders scholarship and loan repayment.  Please feel free to download and share the documents and information provided.  If you are interested in promoting ND Career Builders directly, NDUS Procedure 508.3 requires inclusion of the program name, logo, tag line and website.  Additionally, the full unedited high-need and emerging occupations list must be included in its full form, or as a link.  If you have more questions please contact the NDUS at 701-328-2906 or at ndfinaid@ndus.edu.

     

    Marketing Requirements – NDUS Procedure 508.3

    1. In all promotions of the ND Career Builders Scholarship & Loan Repayment, the official logo must be used (see toolkit below).
    2. Include the website:  https://ndus.edu/career-builders/
    3. In all promotions of the ND Career Builders Scholarship & Loan Repayment the full and unedited high-need and emerging occupations list must be included, or at a minimum, the URL link to the full list located on the website must be included.  High-Need and Emerging Occupations List

     

    Resources for use in marketing ND Career Builders

    ND Career Builders In The News

    For more information on ND Career Builders, contact the NDUS at 701-328-2906 or at ndfinaid@ndus.edu