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Home ― Admissions ― Champion Scholarships

Champion Scholarships

Students who demonstrate academic excellence should be recognized for their hard work. Scholarships help acknowledge the academic excellence of our students, particularly our champion scholarship program.

Our Champion Scholarships are awarded at four levels to traditional, incoming freshmen who are less than four years out of high school. These scholarship levels depend on an individual’s high school GPA and standardized test scores. If the student continues to meet this high academic standard these awards can be renewed annually for up to four years.

Scholarship money for champion scholarships ranges from $750 to $5,000 annually. The champion scholarships are funded through annual and endowed funds.

If chosen as a Champion Scholar, your photo will be taken for marketing purposes and included in a news release.

Hometown News Release Form

DSU Champion Annual Scholarship

The DSU Champion Annual Scholarships were established in 2003 as a four-year guarantee of $4,000 ($1,000 per year). You don’t need to apply for Champion Scholarships—we award them automatically based on certain academic criteria upon admission.

DSU Presidential Champion at $20,000 ($5,000 per year)

  • ACT score of 32-36, or an SAT score of 1420 or higher.
  • Minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

DSU Elite Champion at $14,000 ($3,500 per year)

  • ACT score of 28-31, or an SAT score of 1300-1410.
  • Minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

DSU Merit Champion at $10,000 ($2,500 per year)

  • ACT score of 24-27 or an SAT score of 1160-1290.
  • Minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

DSU Achievement Champion at $6000 ($1500 per year)

  • ACT score of 21-23 or an SAT score of 1060-1150.
  • 0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

 DSU Achievement Champion at $6000 ($1500 per year)

  • No ACT or SAT score is required.
  • 0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

DSU Achievement Champion at $4000 ($1000 per year)

  • ACT score of 21-23 or an SAT score of 1060-1150.
  • Minimum 3.5-3.99 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

DSU Achievement Champion at $4000 ($1000 per year)

  • No ACT or SAT score is required.
  • Minimum 3.5-3.99 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

DSU Achievement Champion at $3,000 ($750 per year)

  • ACT score of 21-23 or an SAT score of 1060-1150.
  • Minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA evaluated each semester and complete 30 DSU Credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

Each level is dependent on a specific ACT score. The scholarships are renewable with full-time continuous enrollment, completing 30 DSU taught credits per academic year, and maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA, The GPA is evaluated after each semester.

DSU Champion Transfer Scholarship

New Transfers - $1,500 Per Year Complete the Transfer Champion Scholarship application before the semester you plan to enroll at dsu.edu/scholarships.

  • 24-36 ACT and a 3.0 cumulative college GPA
  • Enroll and Complete 12 credit hours per semester since enrollment into post-secondary education.
  • Have completed less than 4 years of post-secondary education.
  • Less than 4 years out of high school.

OR

  • 5 cumulative college GPA
  • Enroll and complete 12 credit hours per semester since enrollment into post-secondary education, with a minimum of 24 earned credits.
  • Have completed less than 4 years of post-secondary education.
  • Less than 4 years out of high school.

Apply for the Champion Transfer Scholarship

Note: once you’ve started classes at DSU, you will no longer be eligible for this scholarship. After the scholarship is awarded, it is renewable if you complete 30 DSU credits per academic year, maintain continuous full-time enrollment, and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, with the GPA evaluated after each semester. This scholarship is only available for eight semesters of enrollment, which includes the semesters completed at your other post-secondary institution(s) or college(s).

Undergraduate Scholarships

DSU Rising Annual Scholarship

The DSU Rising Annual Scholarships were established as a four-year guarantee of up to $20,000 ($5,000 per year). You don’t need to apply for DSU Rising Scholarships—we award them automatically based on certain academic criteria upon admission. 

$20,000 ($5,000 per year)

Qualifications:

  • ACT score of 30-36, or an SAT score of 1360 or higher.
  • Minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA.
  • Enrollment requires an undergraduate degree program within The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences.
  • Maintain a 3.25 Cumulative GPA, GPA is evaluated after each semester.
  • Complete 30 DSU credits per academic year.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Incoming freshman.

DSU Transfer Rising Scholarship

$5,000 per year, up to 8 semesters of enrollment including prior colleges and universities.

Qualifications:

  • Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program within the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences
  • 25 cumulative college GPA
  • ACT of 30 or higher or comparable SAT score.
  • Have completed less than 4 years of post-secondary education.

Once you’ve started classes at DSU, you will no longer be eligible to apply for this scholarship. Once the scholarship is awarded to you, however, it is renewable if you attempt and complete 30 DSU credits per academic year and maintain a 3.25 GPA evaluated on a semester basis. This scholarship is only available for eight semesters of enrollment, which includes the semesters completed at your other post-secondary institution(s) or college(s). 

Apply to the Transfer Rising Scholarship

Free money

There, now we have your attention.

As an incoming undergrad, you can apply for multiple scholarships to offset - or even completely fund - your education.

There are opportunities for every kind of student. You can find scholarships based on grades, athletic achievement, community service, cultural background, and much more. The Dakota State University Foundation and other South Dakota-centric organizations sponsor the awards below.

DSU General Scholarships

The scholarship application opens on September 1, priority date to submit your application is March 1.

Apply for a General Scholarship

*Please note, that this application is for consideration of ALL General Academic Scholarships.

Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship

If “persistence” is your middle name, here’s the opportunity for you. Established in 2018, the Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship helps high school seniors who have persevered despite great obstacles. We’re looking for applicants who have critical financial needs and demonstrate determination and integrity while overcoming adversity.

The scholarship is awarded $10,000, dispersed throughout your college experience.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be committed to completing a bachelor's degree at Dakota State University.
  • Be a current high school senior with plans to enroll at DSU.
  • Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or less family income required).
  • Complete the FAFSA.
  • Be involved in community service activities.
  • Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
  • Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
  • Be a United States citizen.

Horatio Alger Scholarship

Especially for South Dakota grads

If you are graduating from a South Dakota high school, you can apply for the following scholarships:

Outside Scholarships and Resources

We've compiled a short list of scholarships offered by organizations that aren't associated with the Dakota State University Foundation.

  • AIGC Scholarship & fellowship opportunities
  • Campus Explorer exclusive scholarships
  • Classic Corner tuition assistance program
  • Mary Chilton Chapter: National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
  • PEO Chapter CP scholarship
  • Scholarship America
  • Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation

Other scholarship resources