Scholarship Opportunities

Application Deadline: 03/01/2025

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business has scholarship opportunities for incoming freshman and undergraduate students interested in studying entrepreneurship. Named after former NDSU President Jim Ozbun, awards range from $1,000 up to $2,500 per year. Students from any College, Department, or discipline are welcome to apply.

Preference will be given to students enrolled or planning to enroll in the Entrepreneurship Minor or Certificate programs. Students must submit a short essay (500 word maximum) describing any experience, or future interests they have in entrepreneurship. Incoming freshman – if you took NDSU’s Intro to Entrepreneurship course as an early entry course, be sure to mention that in your essay!

President Jim Ozbun Scholarship – Freshman | $1,000

President Jim Ozbun Scholarship – Current Students | $1,000 – $2,500

Look for this opportunity when you fill out the NDSU General Scholarship Application through OneStop. Scholarship deadlines may differ for incoming freshmen, currently enrolled students, and transfer students. Consult with OneStop services or your academic advisor if you have any questions about deadlines or the application process.

Jim and Cheri Buus Venture Capitalist Fellowship

Application Deadline: 03/01/2025

Applicants must be enrolled full-time in the College of Business, who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and who are involved in an entrepreneurial organization with preference to Pathway Ventures. Preference to students pursuing a minor or certificate in Entrepreneurship.

Kevin and Kalli Black Scholarship

Application Deadline: 03/01/2025

The Kevin and Kalli Black Scholarship is available to currently enrolled juniors who are pursuing a certificate or minor in Entrepreneurship. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher and preference will be given to students who demonstrate leadership skills.

Steve and Kay Halverson Legacy Scholarship

Application Deadline: 03/01/2025

The Steve and Kay Halverson Legacy Scholarship is available to juniors or seniors who are pursuing a major in Finance with a preference to a student pursuing a certificate or minor in Entrepreneurship. Students must have earned a GPA between 2.50 and 3.25 with a preference to a student in a leadership position.

Olson/Challey First Generation Business Scholarship

Application Deadline: 02/01/2025

The Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth provides an avenue for students to learn about the global environment where business and innovation occur, and about the things that influence global prosperity. The Challey Institute’s Undergraduate Fellows Scholarship supports students’ study of the Institute’s core areas of (1) international trade, investment, and immigration (2) innovation and entrepreneurship, and (3) institutions and policy. Scholarship recipients will be notified and are expected to attend Menard speaker events sponsored by the Challey Institute throughout the academic year.

Students must be enrolled at NDSU as first-generation, incoming freshmen and be majoring in a program within the College of Business.

NDSU Opportunity Scholarship – Freshman

Application Deadline: 03/01/2025

Students must be properly admitted and/or enrolled as an incoming freshman in any academic degree field at the time of application and disbursement and be a student who normally would not be academically and/or financially able to attend NDSU. Students are not eligible to be selected for any NDSU Guaranteed Scholarships or any other scholarships that NDSU awards. Student must have graduated from and North Dakota High School or have a documented minimum of five years’ residency in North Dakota prior to moving away and graduating from high school out of state. Consideration may be given to a student who has an interest in entrepreneurial pursuits and/or new technology.

You will be automatically considered based on your completed General Application. To complete the General Application, please sign into NDSU One Stop.

Problems to Possibilities 

Problems to Possibilities (P2P) is a program that challenges students to think differently about entrepreneurship and change-making. Hosted by North Dakota State University Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business, P2P leverages systems-thinking and local networks to drive social, environmental, and economic progress.

Applications for this program are available in the fall. Once selected, students have the opportunity to earn scholarships of $2,500 or $1,000. View the Info Sheet or click the “Learn More” button to explore this opportunity.

POSSIBILITY Fellowship 

The Possibility Fellowship is a one-year premier entrepreneurial program that includes individual mentoring, hands-on learning, and unique opportunities for networking and internships. Students were selected to join the Fellowship based on several eligibility requirements, including academic excellence, leadership abilities, and a knack for entrepreneurial creativity. Each Fellow will receive a $5,000 scholarship and travel stipend for conference attendance and professional development.