Bismarck, N.D. - Applications are now open for more than $20,000 in scholarships that have been announced under the North Dakota University System's Bakken U initiative.

The initiative was created during the last academic year to help encourage oil workers, recently displaced oil workers and their spouses to go back to school at one of the state's public colleges and universities. Numerous awards were made for the 2015-16 academic year, including the inaugural $5,000 Bakken U scholarship that was awarded to former oil worker currently attending Dickinson State University.

Chancellor Mark Hagerott said the initiative was one way to help those directly affected by a decrease in oil activity learn new skills by going back to school.

"We were pleased at the number of applicants this past year who showed their own initiative in adding to their respective educations," Hagerott said. "We're happy to be able to bolster their skillsets through the many programs available at the western institutions in our state. These oil field veterans have proven they can work hard, so these scholarships will help jumpstart them to work on expanding their knowledge and job marketability."

For Fall 2016 semester, the North Dakota Petroleum Council will again partner with the NDUS to offer one $5,000 scholarship. Additionally, DSU will offer one 4-year scholarship with a total value of more than $9,000. Minot State University will offer two $1,000 scholarships and Williston State College will offer five $1,000 scholarships.

For more information, go to BakkenU.NDUS.edu. Applications are due by June 15, 2016.