Scholarships
Free money
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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, your cultural background, and much more. The Dakota State University Foundation and other South Dakota-centric organizations sponsor the awards below.
But this list is just the beginning. Our financial aid experts can help you find many more.
Let’s make this happen.
DSU general scholarships can include but are not limited to: academic, athletic, music, and special scholarships for students who meet criteria established by our network of donors. The scholarship application opens September 1, the deadline to submit your application is March 1.
Apply for a General Scholarship
*Please note, this application is for consideration of ALL General Academic Scholarships.
The DSU Champion Annual Scholarships were established in 2003 as a four-year guarantee scholarship. You don’t need to apply for Champion Scholarships—we award them automatically based on certain academic criteria upon admission.
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.
The CyberCorps and Cybersecurity Scholarship Programs award high-achieving, driven students in security degree programs following their sophomore year at DSU. These programs are funded by a grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense.
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 need, and demonstrate determination and integrity while overcoming adversity.
The scholarship awards $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 in Fall 2022
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or less family income required)
- Complete the 2022-2023 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
Received annually from the Hatterscheidt Foundation, these scholarships are awarded to residents of South Dakota who are in the upper 30% of their current year's high school graduating class and in need of financial assistance. DSU will provide application material to qualified candidates.
The South Dakota Freedom Scholarship is available to a limited number of South Dakota resident students with unmet financial need. Recipients of the scholarship must commit in writing to live and work in South Dakota for three years after graduation. Visit the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship website for a full listing of eligibility requirements.
If you are graduating from a South Dakota high school, you can apply for the following scholarships:
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
Dakota Corps Scholarship
Annis I. Fowler/Kaden Scholarship
But wait – there's more!
We've compiled a short list of scholarships offered by organizations that aren't associated with the Dakota State University Foundation.
Amount: up to $30,000
Deadline: July 15 each year
Criteria:
- Be a full-time degree seeking student
- Applicant must be able to demonstrate tribal affiliation through the submission of a Tribal Eligibility Certificate
- Applicant must be able to demonstrate financial need through the submission of a Financial Needs form and FAFSA
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Monthly rolling deadline
Criteria:
- Be legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia who are are least 16 years old at the time of entry
- Monthly $1,000 giveaway, designed to help students pay for their higher-education expenses
- Every month a new scholarship will be announced with a winner selected randomly from the entrants
Requirements :
- Must be a full time college student
- Must work at Classic Corner minimum of 20hrs/ wk during school year and minimum of 30hrs /wk during the summer
- Must score average or above on yearly merit reviews and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
Benefits :
After completion of full year the following amounts will be paid out to help w/ tuition. The amounts will be paid directly to the financial aid office and applied to your account.
- Year One : $500
- Year Two : $500
- Year Three : $500
- Year Four : $1000
Note: When applying please reference the tuition assistance program.
For More information contact:
Shannon Kauffman
Owner/ Partner
Classic Corner
(605) 256-0338
Email
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Open
Criteria:
- Descendant of a Vietnam Veteran
- Must be attending a college, university, or technical school in South Dakota
- student needs to provide proof of their relationship to the South Dakota Vietnam Veteran
- A copy of the Veterans military record
- Letters from two references outside of the family
- Submit a transcript for Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years plus a list of Senior subjects and a summary of community service activities in your school, church, community, and family
- An essay of 200 words or less on “What impact the Vietnam War has had on American History”
Application: To Apply Contact:
Mary Chilton
Chapter NSDAR
520 S First Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Telephone: 605-271-2595
Email
Amount: $500
Deadline:
Criteria:
- Must be a resident of Lake County
- Must have completed at least 1 semester of college
- Must be currently enrolled as a full time student in at least 12 credit hours
Application: Send a resume including name, age, and name and residence of parents, extracurricular activities, goals, and work experience, names and addresses of 2 references, and a college transcript to:
Connie Daniel
23853 461st Ave.
Wentworth, S.D., 57075
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1st each year.
Criteria:
- High School Senior who lives on the Standing Rock Reservation
- Graduating high school in either South Dakota or North Dakota
- Applicants will reflect the values of personal integrity, individual character, and demonstrated interest in humanitarian issues.