The State of South Dakota offers various financial aid opportunities for college students. The scholarships and grants are administered by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Below, we offer a list of these awards along with relevant links.
Prior to submitting a scholarship application, it is important to read all eligibility requirements. In addition to being a South Dakota resident, most state-funded financial aid requires the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. However, it’s also used by states to determine your eligibility for prizes based on financial need.
Whether you’re currently a high school senior or an undergraduate student, it’s a good move to apply for scholarships. The cost of college education can be significant, but scholarships can help you avoid student loans. Winning scholarships can also help grow your career opportunities. So, let’s not wait any longer. Here is a list of college scholarship opportunities for South Dakota students.
South Dakota Scholarship Programs
Dakota Corps Scholarship Program
The Dakota Corps Scholarship Program was created to encourage South Dakota’s high school graduates to attend higher education and remain in the state following the earning of a degree. The intent of the program is that the recipients do not pay anything towards tuition and generally applicable fees.
Each recipient promises, in writing, to enter a critical need occupation in South Dakota following completion of the program of study. The number of years a recipient must work in a critical need occupation to fulfill the entire obligation is equal to the sum of the number of years of scholarship received, plus one year.
Current critical need occupations are teaching, accounting/auditing, engineering, IT, and Nursing.
Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship
The South Dakota Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship Program is to encourage South Dakota’s high school graduates to obtain their postsecondary education in South Dakota. Also, the program is designed to encourage college graduates to remain in the state upon completion of their education.
To be eligible, applicants must agree in writing to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical teaching need occupation for five years after graduating. Students must also have a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA on 4.0 scale, and an average of 2.8 GPA for all major coursework.
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship is designed to allow South Dakota’s most academically accomplished high school graduates to receive an affordable education at any university, college, or technical school in South Dakota
Starting in Fall 2015, the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship provides up to $6,500 over four years to a qualifying student who attends an eligible higher education institution in South Dakota.
Participating institutions include: Augustana University, Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan University, Lake Area Technical College, Mitchell Technical College, Mount Marty University, National American University, Northern State University, Presentation College, Sinte Gleska University, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, South Dakota State University, Southeast Technical College, University of Sioux Falls, University of South Dakota, and Western Dakota Technical College.
Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship Program for Native American Students
The Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship Program for Native American Students provides support for freshman Native American Students who are pursuing studies in agribusiness, agricultural production, agricultural sciences, or a natural resources degree at any postsecondary institution.
To be eligible, students must be enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe whose reservation is located in South Dakota or North Dakota. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and be a high school student planning to earn a degree in agriculture or natural resources or a related field.
This prize is valued at $500.
Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship
The Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship is awarded to first-time entering freshman at BHSU, DSU, NSU or USD and who will select elementary education as their major field. Special consideration is given to students with demonstrated motivational ability, a disability, or who are self-supporting.
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, students must also have a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA.
This prize is valued at $1,000.
Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship
The Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student who is classified as a junior at a public university at the time funding is received. Each South Dakota public university nominates one student for the scholarship. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA.
This prize is valued at $1,500.
South Dakota Grant Programs
Need Based Scholarship Program (SD Need Based Grant)
The South Dakota Needs Based Grant Program (SDNBGP) allows campus administrators to make awards of $500 to $2,000 to help lower the educational costs for students. Dollars will be allocated to each institution based on the percentage of Pell eligible students enrolled at that institution.
No specific application form will be required to receive funds; however to be eligible students will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), and then work with Financial Aid Directors at the participating institutions.
Participating institutions include: Augustana University, Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan University, Lake Area Technical College, Mitchell Technical College, Mount Marty University, National American University, Northern State University, Presentation College, Sinte Gleska University, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, South Dakota State University, Southeast Technical College, University of Sioux Falls, University of South Dakota, and Western Dakota Technical College.
Find More Scholarships and Grants for College
The above list is just a small fraction of scholarships and grants available for college students in South Dakota. In addition to these state-funded opportunities, there are many private scholarships that you may qualify for. To help connect you with these opportunities, you can use our free scholarship finder.
It’s also a good idea to connect with your school’s guidance counselor or financial aid office. Both of these resources can connect you with school-specific or local scholarships that often have less competition.
Ultimately, finding and winning scholarships helps position you for long-term success. Scholarship awards can help you graduate debt-free, but they also help differentiate your record from other students. This is an asset for future career opportunities. So, don’t wait. Get started on applying for scholarships today!
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