The North Dakota Board of Nursing administers the Nursing Education Scholarship (NES) Program, established by NDCC 43-12.1-08. (2)(g), regulated under NDAC 54-04.2-01 and supported by nurse licensure renewal fees. The goal of the NES Program is to promote interest in nursing and provide scholarships to North Dakota residents attending an approved prelicensure or accredited graduate nursing program, or nurse refresher course that meets board requirements. The NES Program was created to provide assistance to North Dakota residents, including licensed nurses pursuing further nursing education, and prelicensure nursing students who have already completed part of a nursing program.

• Be a permanent resident of the state of North Dakota.
• If licensed as a nurse, hold an unencumbered North Dakota license to practice nursing.
• The scholarship is awarded on a one-time basis to each student per degree type.
• Be enrolled in an NDBON-approved undergraduate nursing program, an accredited graduate nursing program, or a nurse refresher course that meets Board requirements.
• Students must graduate after July 1^st of the following year to be eligible to apply.
• Pre-nursing students are not eligible to apply.

• Application – Nursing Education Scholarship Program form (SFN 11692). Attestation Statement must be marked complete, acknowledging intent to work as a nurse in North Dakota following graduation.
• Submit the non-refundable $30 application fee online or a check mailed to the NDBON
• Provide proof of North Dakota Residency (PSOR).
  • Primary State of Residence (PSOR), also known as the “home state”, is the state in which a nurse declares primary residence for legal purposes.  It does not pertain to home or property ownership, or where you are working. The following can be used to document residency pursuant to the Compact laws and rules:
    • Military Form No. 2058 – state of legal residence certificate may be accepted to document the declared stated residence.
    • Current driver’s license or state issued I.D. card listing your home address within your primary state.
    • Federal or State income tax return listing your home address within your primary state.
    • A W-2 from an employer listing your home address within your primary state.
• Unofficial transcript reflecting current nursing program enrollment.
• Student Status Memorandum form (SFN 14690) completed by your nursing program faculty or representative dated after July 1st, verifying your acceptance and current enrollment into a board-approved and/or accredited nursing education program.
• Essay: In 300-350 words, respond to the question “How will you use your nursing education to serve the citizens of North Dakota?” The essay should be typed in APA style, with one-inch margins, double spacing, and an easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana, in a font size of 10-12 points.
• Required documents are to be emailed to: education@ndbon.org or mailed to the NDBON at:North Dakota Board of Nursing
  919 South 7th Street
  Suite 504
  Bismarck, ND 58504

Scholarship Application Process:

Applications are only accepted between July 1 and October 31 by mail or email.

The NDBON does not accept separate documents after the application has been submitted.

All education scholarship applications will be considered annually at the April board meeting.

An application will be reviewed by the board only if it is received by the deadline and submitted with all required documents.

All applicants for an education scholarship are considered under a blind review process. A board member, staff employee, or family member of either of the foregoing, who applies for an education scholarship, will be excluded from all application processing, review, and board action related to the NES Program.

A scholarship application may be submitted for each of the different degree levels of nursing education an applicant enrolls in, as detailed under disbursements. Only one scholarship will be awarded per degree level per individual.

A past Nursing Education Loan (NEL) or NES award recipient may not submit a scholarship application for the same degree level for which they have received a previous award. They may submit an application for each of the other degree levels of nursing education in which they enroll.

Disbursements:

The NES Program funds will be disbursed directly to the educational institution or as otherwise approved by the Board.

An education scholarship award is transferable from one board-approved nursing education program to another upon receipt of proof of enrollment in the nursing program.

A request for variance from these guidelines must be submitted to the board for consideration.