RAIN Financial Assistance
We recommend that RAIN students apply for financial assistance.
We strongly recommend that you apply for all available financial aid: PELL, BIA, Tribal, scholarships, loans, etc.
Apply
You should begin applying for financial aid in early January of each year if you are planning on attending school in the summer or fall. Most funding sources have application deadlines in March or April. The RAIN survey revealed that lack of adequate finances created the greatest obstacle to remaining in school. In view of this, the RAIN Program provides assistance to students in applying for financial aid.
Because the mission of the RAIN Program is to recruit and facilitate the success of American Indians in nursing, the program support services are currently provided to all American Indian pre-nursing, undergraduate, and graduate students regardless of financial need.
For further information, visit the UND Financial Aid website.
IHS Scholarships
The Indian Health Service (IHS) has scholarships available for American Indian pre-nursing, nursing, or graduate nursing students. This is a very competitive scholarship. If funded, you receive a monthly stipend throughout the academic year, all tuition and fees paid, money for books and supplies and tutorial assistance. All award recipients incur a service obligation to IHS upon completion of the nursing program. The RAIN Program strongly encourages all students to first apply for this scholarship prior to seeking additional assistance from the other scholarships available through the RAIN Program.
UND Eligibility
- American Indian Pre-Nursing
- Nursing, or
- Graduate Nursing Student at UND.
Deadline
Applications must be postmarked no later than February 28 for continuation students, and March 28 for new applicants.
Award Notification
Applicants are usually notified by the end of July if they have been awarded or denied a scholarship.
RAIN Section 112 Scholarships
The RAIN Section 112 scholarship offers a limited number of scholarships for American Indian students with evidence of financial need who are admitted to, or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate nursing program at UND. The RAIN Scholarship is funded through IHS and will pay all tuition and fees for the academic year along with a 12-month stipend. All award recipients incur a service obligation to IHS upon completion of the nursing program.
Eligibility
American Indian students enrolled in a federally recognized tribe and who are admitted to, or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate nursing program at UND. Students are eligible if they have already applied for an IHS Scholarship but were not awarded. Selection is based on financial need and priority is given to those students who are closest to graduation/class seniority. No scholarships are available for pre-nursing students.
Gertrude E. Skelly Foundation Scholarships
The Skelly Scholarship, funded through a private foundation, provides a limited number of ten-month stipends for American Indian nursing students at UND.
Eligibility
American Indian students who are enrolled members or descendants of a federally recognized tribe and who are enrolled full-time in a pre-nursing, nursing, or graduate nursing program at UND. Selection is based upon evidence of an unmet financial need.
Gertrude E. Skelly Foundation Assistance
The Skelly Foundation Assistance, funded through a private foundation, provides a limited amount of financial assistance for American Indian nursing students at UND. Students must provide evidence of an unmet financial need for required tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, and various other miscellaneous required expenses associated with the nursing program. The amount of these awards is variable and is based upon the availability of funds.
Eligibility
American Indian students who are enrolled members or descendants of a federally recognized tribe and enrolled in a pre-nursing, nursing, or graduate nursing program at UND. Selection is based upon evidence of an unmet financial need.
National Society Daughters of the American Colonists RAIN Scholarship
The National Society Daughters of the American Colonists are descendants of a man or woman who rendered patriotic or civil service to the American Colonies prior to 4 July 1776. We are a friendly lineage society with members working to preserve our heritage and record our history for future generations while serving our communities through Patriotic Education, Scholarships for American Indian students, marking historical sites, serving our veterans and more.
This Endowed scholarship provides annual support to students enrolled in the RAIN program.
Max Bartlett Foundation Scholarships
The Max Bartlett Scholarship, funded through a private foundation, provides a very limited amount of financial assistance for American Indian nursing students at UND.
Eligibility
American Indian students enrolled full-time in the undergraduate nursing program at UND. Selection for this scholarship is based on financial need and priority is given to students who are enrolled members or descendants of a federally recognized Sioux tribe.
UND Cultural Diversity Tuition Waiver
Recognizing the educational benefit of a diverse student population, the University of North Dakota has adopted a tuition waiver program. Please note that this has become a very competitive process.
Eligibility
Special emphasis of this policy is to recruit, assist, and retain enrolled members of federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives and Villages, American Indian graduates of tribally-controlled community colleges in North Dakota, all other under-represented groups, and economically disadvantaged students.
Please see the Undergraduate Scholarships and Waivers page for details about the eligibility and documentation requirements.
ND Board of Nursing Education Loan
The Nursing Education Loan Program is available through the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Eligibility
Students in associate, bachelors, and masters degree programs in nursing. It also is available to graduate nursing students pursuing a doctorate and nurses enrolled in a refresher course.
Application Deadline: July 1
UND Department of Nursing Scholarships
The UND Department of Nursing has numerous nursing student scholarships that are awarded annually.
Eligibility
Students must be admitted into the UND College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines to apply for scholarships. See scholarship information in the student handbook for more details regarding eligibility.
- Apply through UND Scholarship Central.
- Application Deadline: March 15
Other Financial Aid Opportunities for American Indians
Please visit the Indigenous Related Programs website for details about other opportunities, including HEROS, NDIEA, and NDIS scholarships.