# Title 15 — Education

## Chapter 15-62.5 — Scholars Program

### § 15-62.5-01. Scholars program.

The state board of higher education shall administer the scholars program for the purpose
of providing a merit-based scholarship to an individual who:
1. a. Graduated from a high school in this state;
b. Graduated from a high school in a bordering state, pursuant to chapter 15.1-29;
c. Graduated from a nonpublic high school in a bordering state while residing with a
custodial parent in this state; or
d. Completed a program of home education supervised in accordance with chapter
15.1-23;
2. On the ACT achieved a composite score of 30 or higher, or an equivalent score on an
equivalent nationally recognized standardized test approved by the state board of
higher education prior to July first in the calendar year preceding the individual's post-
secondary enrollment;
3. a. Is enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education with a physical
presence in this state that offers a program of instruction equal to at least two
academic years;
b. Because of a medically certifiable disability is enrolled at an accredited institution
of higher education outside of this state that offers the individual special services
or facilities not available in this state, provided the institution offers a program of
instruction equal to at least two academic years; and
4. Is pursuing a course of study determined by the board to be full-time.
### § 15-62.5-02. Scholars program - Criteria and procedures.

The state board of higher education shall adopt:
1. Criteria governing the application process;
2. Criteria governing the selection process, within the requirements of section
15-62.5-03; and
3. Procedures for providing fiscal control, fund accounting, and reports.
### § 15-62.5-03. Scholars program - Ranking and selection of recipients.

1. The state board of higher education shall rank scholars program applicants by their
ACT composite scores or equivalent scores on a nationally recognized standardized
test approved by the state board of higher education.
2. If two or more applicants have the same scores as determined in subsection 1, they
must be ranked by the numeric sum of their scale scores on the ACT or equivalent
scores. If a nationally recognized standardized test approved by the state board of
higher education does not calculate scale scores, the equivalent will be zero.
3. If two or more applicants have the same scores as determined in subsections 1 and 2,
they must be ranked by the numeric sum of their English and mathematics scores. If a
nationally recognized standardized test approved by the state board of higher
education does not calculate equivalent English and mathematics scores, the
equivalent will be zero.
4. The state board of higher education may establish additional criteria to rank applicants
who have the same scores as determined in subsections 1 through 3.
5. Scholarships must be offered to applicants in descending order according to this
ranking until available funds have been expended or until the pool of applicants has
been exhausted.
### § 15-62.5-04. Scholars program - Scholarship amounts - Stipends.

1. a. Each semester, the state board of higher education shall provide to an eligible
student a scholarship in an amount not exceeding the tuition charged at the
institution in which the student is enrolled, provided the amount does not exceed

the highest undergraduate semester tuition charged at an institution of higher
education under the control of the state board of higher education.
b. Each quarter the state board of higher education shall provide to an eligible
student a scholarship in an amount not exceeding the tuition charged per quarter
at the institution in which the student is enrolled, provided the amount may not
exceed two-thirds of the highest undergraduate semester tuition charged at an
institution of higher education under the control of the state board of higher
education.
c. For purposes of this subsection, the rates are calculated using a traditional fall
and spring academic year.
2. The scholarships provided for under this section are conditioned on the student
maintaining a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, based on a 4.0 grading system.
3. Any student eligible for a scholarship under this section is also eligible for a stipend in
an amount not exceeding two thousand dollars annually. The state board of higher
education may distribute the stipend on a semester or a quarter basis.
4. a. A student is not entitled to receive scholarships under this chapter for more than
the equivalent of:
(1) Eight semesters of full-time enrollment; or
(2) Twelve quarters of full-time enrollment.
b. Notwithstanding subdivision a, a student is not entitled to receive a scholarship
under this chapter after the student obtains a baccalaureate degree.
5. The state board of higher education shall forward scholarships and stipends payable
under this chapter directly to the institution in which the student is enrolled.
6. The board may not issue a scholarship under this chapter which is in excess of the
total cost of attendance, as determined by the institution of higher education, when
considering all financial aid sources.
### § 15-62.5-05. Use of scholarships and stipends - Refund policy.

Scholarships and stipends awarded under this chapter may be applied to defray tuition
charges, fees, room and board charges, and the cost of books and supplies, and for any other
expenses incidental to attending an institution of higher education. If an individual discontinues
attendance before the completion of any semester or quarter for which a scholarship or stipend
has been received, the individual is subject to the refund or repayment policy of the institution at
which the individual was enrolled.
