All Roll Calls
Yes: 200 • No: 66
North DakotaSB 21472025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 15-10-38.4, a new subsection to section 15-62.4-03, a new section to chapter 15-62.4, and a new subsection to section 15-62.5-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to student financial assistance grants, dual-credit tuition scholarships, and the scholars program; to amend and reenact sections 15-10-38.1, 15-10-38.2, 15-63-05, and 15.1-21-02.6 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the skilled workforce student loan repayment and scholarship programs, Native American scholarships, and the North Dakota scholarship; and to provide an appropriation.
Sponsored By: Jonathan Sickler (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Loan help for in-demand ND workers
If you finished a qualifying program and live and work in North Dakota (or live within 50 miles and work in North Dakota) in a listed in‑demand job, you can get help on your student loans. The state pays your lender up to $5,667 a year, limited to one‑third of your loan balance, and up to $17,000 total. Your loan must be with the Bank of North Dakota or another participating lender. The law creates a dedicated fund and adds $1 of state money for every $1 raised from private or other public sources. You cannot get this in a year you receive other state loan forgiveness, and you are ineligible if you or a close relative provided the matching funds.
Extra state grant to cover tuition
If you qualify for the state grant and your FAFSA family income is $80,000 or less, you can get an extra grant. It helps cover tuition only; the supplement plus your state grant and Pell cannot be more than your tuition, and it cannot be bigger than the highest undergraduate semester tuition at state schools. No summer awards. If funds run short, the board may prorate awards and set deadlines. The state provides $2 million for this program for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
Native American scholarship amounts and rules
Eligible Native American students can receive up to $667 per quarter or clock‑hour term, $1,000 per semester, and $2,000 per academic year. The scholarship can pay tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other school costs, but not above the school’s cost of attendance. The university system verifies enrollment and other criteria. After the school takes amounts due, any leftover money goes to the student. The board may set priority dates and reduce amounts based on need and available funds.
Scholarships for ND in-demand programs
The state offers scholarships for full‑time students in qualifying in‑demand programs. Awards can cover tuition, fees, books, and required supplies, for up to four semesters (or six quarters). You must keep at least a 2.5 GPA (or meet your school’s progress rules). After you finish, you must live and work in North Dakota in an eligible job for three years, or repay the scholarship (the match portion is not repaid). If you transfer to another eligible program and finish it within two years, or face hardship like financial difficulty, military service, death, or total disability, the board can waive or delay repayment. A $1‑for‑$1 state match with private or other public money grows the fund, and your total from this scholarship plus the loan‑repayment program cannot exceed $17,000.
State updates list of in-demand jobs
Each year, the workforce council, with Job Service North Dakota, sets the list of high‑demand skills and new jobs. The list uses labor market data and guides who can qualify for training and scholarship programs.
Aid cannot exceed school cost
State scholarships and grants may not pay more than your school’s total cost of attendance after other aid is counted. This rule applies to the skilled workforce scholarship, the state grant, the scholars program, and the North Dakota scholarship.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jonathan Sickler
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
David Richter
Republican • House
Mark Sanford
Republican • House
Donald Schaible
Republican • Senate
Ronald Sorvaag
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/28/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 63 nays 26
Yes: 63 • No: 26
Senate vote • 4/25/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 41 nays 4
Yes: 41 • No: 4
House vote • 4/1/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 55 nays 33
Yes: 55 • No: 33
Senate vote • 2/14/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 41 nays 3
Yes: 41 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 05/02
6/11/2025HouseSigned by Governor 05/02
5/2/2025SenateSent to Governor
5/1/2025SenateSigned by President
5/1/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/1/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 63 nays 26
4/28/2025HouseConference committee report adopted
4/28/2025HouseReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
4/25/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 41 nays 4
4/25/2025SenateConference committee report adopted
4/25/2025SenateReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
4/24/2025SenateConference committee appointed Richter Nathe Hanson
4/16/2025HouseConference committee appointed Axtman Sorvaag Gerhardt
4/9/2025SenateRefused to concur
4/9/2025SenateReturned to Senate (12)
4/2/2025SenateSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 55 nays 33
4/1/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
3/31/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 15 8 0
3/28/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 03:30
3/13/2025HouseRereferred to Appropriations
3/12/2025HouseAmendment adopted
3/12/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 14 0 0
3/11/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 10:00
3/10/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Education Committee
2/18/2025HouseReceived from Senate
2/17/2025House
Bill Text
Adopted by the Conference Committee
Adopted by the House Education Committee
Enrollment
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Magrum
SENATE BILL NO. 2147 with Conference Committee Amendments
SENATE BILL NO. 2147 with House Amendments
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