Maximize scholarship support for North Dakota State University students
NDSU is committed to providing students with a high-quality education at a competitive cost, and scholarships are crucial in making that commitment a reality.
Beginning July 1, we invite you to open doors for NDSU students and maximize your support for scholarships with matching dollars from the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Grant Fund.
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE GRANT
The North Dakota Challenge Grant is a state legislative matching program created to enhance the impact of private donor support. Your gift of $50,000 or greater toward scholarships for NDSU students could unlock an additional 50% in matching funds from the North Dakota State Legislature. These matching dollars are available for eligible gifts until the funds have been exhausted or until December 31, 2026 — whichever occurs first.
NDSU is one of 11 institutions in the North Dakota University System with access to this program’s funds. Since the Challenge Grant began in 2013, more than 625 donors have taken advantage of the state matching funds to support NDSU. This effort has produced $17 million for campus — supporting scholarships, faculty, educational infrastructure, and programs.
YOUR DOLLARS IN ACTION
Gift Amount | Match | Total Impact |
|---|---|---|
$250,000 | $125,000 | $375,000 |
$150,000 | $75,000 | $225,000 |
$100,000 | $50,000 | $150,000 |
To unlock Challenge Grant dollars, benefactors must invest or pledge a minimum of $50,000.
Your gift can have an immediate impact or create a lasting legacy. Giving to an expendable fund provides immediate support, meeting today’s most pressing needs, while giving to an endowed fund provides support in perpetuity through annual distributions. Gifts for both expendable and endowed funds can be made outright or as a pledge fulfilled over a period of up to five years.
You may contribute to an existing fund or explore the opportunity to establish a new one. If you are interested in establishing a new fund, please contact your Director of Development to discuss the criteria.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
In partnership with the Challenge Grant program, Paul ’72, ’74 and Signe Nystuen have established two endowed scholarships. With the added support of matching dollars, the Nystuens enhance their continued investments — further amplifying their impact and providing greater scholarship support to NDSU students.
“We want to thank the North Dakota State Legislature for their foresight in establishing the Challenge Grant. Through this initiative, the Nystuen family established and continue to grow a family scholarship endowment. With that success, we utilized the program to establish our own scholarship for engineering students and have continued to sponsor and expand that endowment.
We can confidently say that one of our greatest pleasures has been engaging with and listening to the testimonials of students who have been so positively impacted by these scholarships. We strongly recommend that North Dakota continue to offer the Challenge Grant and leverage its significant impact.”
– Paul and Signe Nystuen
“We want to thank the North Dakota State Legislature for their foresight in establishing the Challenge Grant. Through this initiative, the Nystuen family established and continue to grow a family scholarship endowment. With that success, we utilized the program to establish our own scholarship for engineering students and have continued to sponsor and expand that endowment.
We can confidently say that one of our greatest pleasures has been engaging with and listening to the testimonials of these students who have been so positively impacted by these scholarships. We strongly recommend that North Dakota continue to offer the Challenge Grant and leverage its significant impact.”
– Paul and Signe Nystuen
Scholarships Transform Lives
Removing financial barriers empowers NDSU students to achieve their fullest potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities after they graduate.
In fall 2024, NDSU’s largest enrollment growth occurred in Pell-eligible first-year students (19% increase) and Pell-eligible transfer students (54% increase). Students are seeking a world-class education at NDSU — let’s ensure they get here, stay here, and thrive here.
With scholarship support, students are better able to:
- Focus on their education, coursework, and studies
- Participate in academic clubs, organizations, and events
- Engage in internship, research, and leadership opportunities
- Reduce the amount of debt they incur
- Pursue their career goals and flourish in their personal lives
STUDENT STORIES
Hannah Lingen ’17 and Wyatt Warkenthien ’24 are NDSU alumni who, as students, received scholarships enhanced by Challenge Grant dollars. You can learn more about their campus experiences and the community impact they have created in the NDSU Foundation Magazine.
HANNAH LINGEN
Received: Gordon Heller Scholarship
Degree: Industrial Engineering and Management
Occupation: Process Project Manager II at Marvin
WYATT WARKENTHIEN
Received: President Jim Ozbun Scholarship
Degree: Biotechnology and Microbiology
Occupation: Co-founder of Frontier Bioforge
WYATT WARKENTHIEN
Received: President Jim Ozbun Scholarship
Degree: Biotechnology and Microbiology
Occupation: Co-founder of Frontier Bioforge
THANK YOU for considering a gift to support NDSU students. An investment in NDSU scholarships is an investment in students who are thriving while earning their degrees and in successful alumni who invest their own time, energy, and resources back into their communities. With your generous gift and matching dollars from the Challenge Grant, we can continue to shape the lives of NDSU students — together.
The NDSU Foundation positions donors to maximize their gifts/pledges by leveraging available North Dakota Challenge Grant (NDCG) funds. The NDSU Foundation prepares NDCG applications for NDSU’s consideration. The applications are then forwarded from NDSU to be evaluated and approved or rejected by the NDCG Committee. As a result, the NDSU Foundation cannot guarantee NDCG funding.
FAQs
What types of gifts qualify for the Challenge Grant?
Donors who provide an outright gift or pledge of $50,000 or more to a new or existing expendable or endowed scholarship will be considered for state matching funds.
- What is an expendable fund? An expendable fund provides funds immediately. Because the gift does not earn interest, the fund is closed when the money is fully dispersed.
- What is an endowment fund? An endowed fund is a permanent investment that creates a lasting source of support. The initial gift is invested, and a percentage of the gift earnings is used to award scholarship recipients.
If I pledge a gift, will the dollars be matched immediately?
Historically, once an application for matching dollars is reviewed and approved by the NDCG Committee, the matching dollars are transferred to the donor’s scholarship fund within a few weeks. This is true even if the donor has made a pledge over a period of years.
Are gifts made during the timeframe guaranteed to be matched?
This gifting opportunity is on a first come, first served basis. The matching dollars will be available until the funds have been exhausted or until Dec. 31, 2026 — whichever occurs first. NDSU prioritizes applications and submits them to the NDCG Committee. As a result, the Foundation cannot guarantee that a donor will receive NDCG dollars.
How do I document a gift?
Work with a Director of Development at the NDSU Foundation to complete a pledge form or make a gift and finalize a memorandum of understanding.
How else can I get involved with the NDSU Foundation and NDSU?
NDSU alumni, friends, and industry partners can engage with the NDSU Foundation and NDSU through upcoming events, the NDSU Foundation Magazine, and more! Ensure your information is up to date to receive the latest news and opportunities!
Are gifts to endowments also eligible for the ND Income Tax Credit?
Yes, and you can find more information here: ND Income Tax Credit
Additional questions? Contact your Director of Development.
The NDSU Foundation, an independent non-profit, is the primary fundraising organization for North Dakota State University. We ensure gifts are used in compliance with donor intent and that funds are managed wisely so future generations will continue to benefit from them. A one-time, 5% gift fee is applied to all incoming gifts to help leverage current and future fundraising efforts for NDSU.