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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 our talent in North Dakota. We are seeking businesses to participate and invest in this unique partnership!

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 private-sector matching funds, up to a total of $17,000 per recipient! Individuals can receive a scholarship on the front end, loan repayment on the back-end, or both, for their commitment to the state to fill one of the high-demand occupations. It is a win-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 as it establishes the occupations in ND that are in high demand.  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 are those at the associate’s level and below or other programs, up to and including bachelor programs, that are 4 semesters or 6 quarters in length.
    • Qualifying programs must directly relate to 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 program completion to retain the scholarship.
    • You can view the scholarship list, the high-need occupations, and qualifying programs here:  SCHOLARSHIP High Need and Emerging Occupations List

       

     

    LOAN REPAYMENT LIST

    • Individuals 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.
    • Recipients 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 are those at the associate’s level and below, or other programs up to a bachelors level that are not longer than 4 semesters or 6 quarters in length.
      • Qualifying programs must relate to an high-need occupation.
    • The institution will initiate the scholarship application process with the student and then, NDUS will confirm final eligibility based on program guidelines.
      • Qualifying ND institutions include public, private, tribal and proprietary colleges.
      • A 2.50 minimum GPA is required for application approval.
    • Payments may not exceed the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies up to a lifetime maximum of $17,000.
    • Payments will be made on a semester, quarter or term basis.
      • Since this is a public-private program, payments will only be made if the private-sector match is received.
      • Students must maintain at least a 2.50 minimum GPA to qualify for payment.
    • Recipients have the obligation to reside in ND, and work in a high-need occupation in ND for at least 3 years 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:
        • Failure to enroll full time according to program requirements;
        • Failure to maintain academic progress;
        • 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 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.
    • Applicants newly hired into their high-need occupation within ND will be considered.
    • Upon application and prior to each payment, applicants will be required to provide:
      • Proof of residing in ND.
      • Verification of employment within ND in a high-need occupation.
      • Proof of degree completion.
      • A current student loan billing statement from their lender.
      • Commitment from a private-sector donor to match state dollars.
    • Since this is a public-private program, payments will only be made if the private-sector match is received.
    • 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.
    • Maximum eligibility is $17,000.
    • Eligible loans include:
      • FEDERAL Subsidized Student Loans
      • Federal Unsubsidized Student Loans
      • Federal Consolidated Student Loans
      • Perkins Loans
      • Bank of ND DEAL loan or CEAL education loan
      • Other 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:  Interested individuals 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:  Individuals interested in loan repayment can simply complete the application with their employer and send it to the NDUS.  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.

     

    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

    Private-Sector Donation Form

    WHY ARE PRIVATE-SECTOR 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 dollars being received.  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-win for business, students and employees!

     

    WHAT IS MEANT BY PRIVATE-SECTOR 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 an individual.  However, the private sector match may not be ND State dollars or federal dollars.

     

    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. 

    This is a win-win!

    • 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