AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 6 of section 15.1-21-02.10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to requirements to qualify for the North Dakota scholarship.
HB 1404 revises the eligibility requirements for the North Dakota scholarship by updating the pathways a student may use to qualify. The bill keeps the scholarship’s existing structure of multiple qualification tracks, but modifies and expands the academic, career and technical education, and military-service-related options that students can combine while enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Under the bill, students must still complete requirements in two of the listed subdivisions, but the bill adjusts the specific test scores, course requirements, and alternative credentials that can satisfy those subdivisions.
The bill’s academic track continues to allow qualification through standardized test scores, advanced coursework, dual-credit classes, fine arts, algebra II, AP/IB exams, GPA, and other equivalent proficiency measures. The career and technical education track continues to recognize CTE coursework, world language study, WorkKeys scores, career-ready practices, dual-credit courses, industry credentials, and work-based learning experiences. The military-oriented track allows qualification through ASVAB scores, basic training completion, physical education, JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, or military-focused coursework. Overall, the bill updates the statute governing the North Dakota scholarship while preserving multiple routes to eligibility for students with different academic and career goals.
HB 1404 amends North Dakota Century Code section 15.1-21-02.10, which governs who qualifies for the North Dakota scholarship. Its effect is to revise the statutory eligibility criteria and the acceptable combinations of academic, CTE, and military-related achievements that students may use to earn the scholarship. The bill affects high school students, school districts, the Department of Public Instruction, and institutions involved in administering or verifying scholarship eligibility, but it does not create a new program; it changes the standards for access to an existing state scholarship.
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the House 87-1 and the Senate 45-1, indicating strong bipartisan approval and little opposition. No committee transcripts were provided, but the voting margins suggest the legislation was viewed favorably as a technical or policy update to scholarship eligibility rules rather than a major disputed change.
The main potential points of contention are the specific eligibility pathways and how much weight should be given to standardized testing, GPA, career and technical education, and military-related alternatives. Some stakeholders may prefer broader academic access, while others may focus on maintaining rigor or ensuring that CTE and military tracks are equivalent to traditional college-prep measures. The near-unanimous votes suggest that any disagreements were limited and did not prevent consensus on updating the scholarship criteria.