Scholarships
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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 on September 1, and 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 grant 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 2023
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or less family income required)
- Complete the 2023-2024 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.
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Amount: $500
Eligibility:
- HS Senior who identifies as female
- Attends a public or private high school in Rapid City or is a home-schooled Rapid City resident
- Accepted to a South Dakota institution of higher education or professional program for Fall 2023
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Currently enrolled at an institution of higher education or professional program in South Dakota.
- Identifies as female
- Hometown must be West River, South Dakota county
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: $1000
Deadline: April 7, 2023 by 5pm
About the scholarship: The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize the student's academic excellence, as well as the Black Hills Home Builders Association's member affiliated with the student who is applying, and their active participation in the association. The student's area of interest may be in any field. However, preference will be given to applicants with goals of employment related to the Home Building Industry. All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements as listed below.
Criteria: The recipient must be enrolling to attend college in the Fall of 2023. The eligible individuals will be judged on the basis of scholastic achievement, community service, school and non-school activities and their answers to the essay questions on the application form.
Amount:
- 5 $20,000 scholarships distributed over 4 years ($5000 per year, renewable)
- 45 $2500 on-time only scholarships
Requirements: The BAM Scholarship was created to enable Black and African American students to attend college and pursue a career in technology. The goal is to empower future generations to do and be more.
To be considered for a BAM Scholarship, you must:
- Be a US-based high school senior of African descent (for example, African American, African, Ethiopian, etc.).
- Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the US in the fall immediately following your high school graduation.
- Plan to pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing).
- Demonstrate a passion for technology.
- Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Require financial assistance to attend college.
Deadline: April 15th, 2023
Amount:
(1) $2000, (1) $1000 and (1) $500 post-secondary scholarship. (1) $2000, (1) $1000, and (1) $500 scholarship for High School seniors planning a career in an agriculture-related field.
Requirements:
- Current high school or college student
- From Brookings trade area as determined by the Brookings Area Chamber Ag Relations Committee
- Agriculture related major or area of study
- Prior Brookings Area Chamber Ag Relations scholarship are NOT eligible
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
Deadline: May 1
Criteria:
Financial need and/or high academic achievement shall not be mandatory criteria for a recipient to be granted a scholarship.
Scholarships are limited only to graduates who attended Aberdeen Central High School for at least two years.
Scholarships are also limited to sophomore, junior, or senior year expenses of students attending a four-year accredited university or college who have demonstrated leadership skills, civic or community involvement, and a sincere concern for others.
Although preference is to be given to applicants majoring in Business, other major courses of study may also be considered.
Deadline: March 17, 2023
Amount: 6 - $1,000
Qualifications:
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Scholarships are open to high school seniors who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to an accredited college, university, or vocational school, or currently enrolled full-time college, university, or vocational students.
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Applicant must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 or above.
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Scholarship applicant must be a member (not applicant’s parents) in good standing for at least one (1) year.
Amount: $1000
Deadline: March 28, 2023
To be eligible for a First Bank & Trust scholarship, the applicant/student must meet all the following criteria:
Be a First Bank & Trust Checking and/or Savings account holder (account must be opened before the application deadline).
• Be a high school senior or full-time undergraduate student attending an accredited post-high school educational institution.
• Have not previously received a First Bank & Trust scholarship.
• Employees and members of the Board of Directors or Advisory Board of Directors of First Bank & Trust, its affiliates, and the
immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings, and children, and each of their respective spouses regardless of where they live)
and persons living in the households of each of these individuals, whether related or not, are not eligible.
Amounts:
- 1 x $10,000 Scholarship
- 4 x $2,500 Scholarships
Deadline: April 15th, 2023
Criteria: Must be a South Dakota resident attending a South Dakota institution of higher learning in the fall of 2023.
The student will pick someone in their community who makes a difference by giving back or volunteering and write a short essay about them. This can be any entity such as a business, individual, public servant, non-profit, etc.
These must dropped off in-person to a local IIASD member by April 15th, 2023. To find an Independent Agent near you go online to https://members.iiasd.org/page/scholarship-2023
Amount: 10 Scholarships of $1000 Awarded through ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship
Deadline: April 28
Criteria: Scholarships are available to high school seniors in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota or Wisconsin who will attend college in fall 2023. No minimum GPA or class rank. No financial need requirement.
Amount: Three Scholarships of $1,000 each are funded annually by the Johnsen-Herschleb Endowment.
Deadline: April 1
Criteria:
1. Scholarships are limited to Aberdeen Central high school seniors and alumni in their freshman, sophomore or junior year of college.
2. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
3. Applicants must major in the field of business or fine arts.
4. Applicants must demonstrate academic success and leadership.
Application:
To Apply applications may be picked up at the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation Office or in the Student Services area at Aberdeen Central High School or online at https://www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us/o/chs/page/scholarships. If you would like an application emailed to you, please contact gretchen.sharp@k12.sd.us
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: $1000
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Requirements: Students enrolled at any four-year college or university in South Dakota who will be academic juniors or seniors during the 2022 fall semester. The recipient need not be a South Dakota Resident.
Amount: $500, $1000, $2500
Deadline: April 1, 2023
Eligibility: This scholarship is available to either: a female high school senior of color interested in pursuing a STEM degree in college, OR a female undergraduate college sophomore or junior of color currently pursuing a STEM degree.
Requirements:
For high school seniors:
Full-time current students enrolled in a STEM class
GPA of at least 3.0
Must provide a transcript
Interest in pursuing a STEM degree in college
For undergraduate college students:
Full-time enrolled college student
Declared major or degree program in STEM
GPA of at least 3.0
Must provide a transcript
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
Deadline: March 17th, 2023 at 11:59PM
Criteria:
Be 17 years of age or older by June 1, 2023.
Be a United States citizen either from or currently attending school in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Native Nations therein.
Identify as LGBTQ+.
Be currently enrolled in or admitted to a GED program, community college, four-year college, university, graduate school, trade school, professional certificate program, study abroad program, or apprenticeship program for the 2023 - 2024 academic year.
Deadline: April 14, 2023
Amount: Annual scholarship award amounts include a minimum of $1,000 for each of the first two years of attendance, a minimum of $1,500 for the third year of attendance, and a minimum of $2,500 for the fourth year of attendance.
Eligibility:
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Graduation from an accredited South Dakota high school
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Apply within 5 years after high school graduation or within 1 year after release from active military duty (if that release is within 5 years of high school graduation)
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Be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
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Must attend a public or non-public accredited university, college or technical institute located in South Dakota
Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: March 27, 2023 at 12 p.m. E.T.
Eligibility:
- Enrolled full-time or part-time at an accredited post-secondary institution graduate-level program during the 2023-2024 academic year.
- Current cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher A U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.
- Diverse candidate, which shall include, but is not limited to:
- Gender, Disability, Race, Ethnicity belonging to an underserved community.
- Demonstrate leadership abilities and good moral character in all aspects of your life,
including personal, professional, educational, in your community, and online presence.
Scholarships available through the South Dakota Bankers Foundation are:
- $4,000 Alan M. Graff Scholarship
- $3,000 David S. Birkeland Scholarship
- 3,000 Herman Lerdal Scholarship
- $3,000 Joyce Hazeltine Scholarship
- $1,500 Deb Gates Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Requirements: Students attending a South Dakota college who are pursuing a career in banking or finance. Applicants must be in their junior year, entering their senior year of college during the 2023-2024 school year.
Questions: Please contact HALLEY LEE, FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Email: HLEE@SDBA.COM
Phone: 605.224.1653
Amount: $2500 - $3400
Deadline: April 18th, 2023
Requirements:
Applicant must desire a career in a retail or retail-related field.
To be eligible, the applicant must enroll in a retail or retail-related course of study at a qualifying, accredited technical school, college, university, or certified professional training institute in the fall of 2023. Enrollment in an online degree program from a qualifying school is acceptable.
Examples of fields of study considered to be retail or retail-related include (but are not limited to): Accounting, Agribusiness, Apparel Merchandising, Auto Mechanics, Automotive Technology, Business Administration, Business Management, Collision Repair, Computer Science, Commercial Baking, Culinary Arts, Diesel Mechanics, Electrical Maintenance, Gemology, Grocery, Heating/Ventilation, Hotel/Restaurant Management, Landscape Design, Pharmacy, Photography, Printing Industries, Refrigeration, Sales/Marketing Management, and Tourism Industry Management. (NOTE: this list is not all-inclusive.)
South Dakota Education:
- Graduated from a South Dakota high school;
- Have earned high school equivalency (such as a GED) in South Dakota;
- Plan to attend post-secondary school in South Dakota
Applicant must have completed at least 24 credits from a qualifying college or university, or 12 credits from a qualifying tech school or certified professional training institute by September of 2023 to be eligible. We will consider full-time post-secondary work experience in lieu of the post-secondary education requirement.
Amount: Two $1000 Scholarships
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Goal of this scholarship:
• To introduce students to potential career opportunities
• To connect employers to future job candidates
• To educate students on current issues and evolving technologies in natural resources
Criteria:
- Be willing to participate in job shadowing for 2 days (16 hours).
- Be currently enrolled in a South Dakota educational institution.
- Have completed at least one full year of study (two semesters) in an accredited university, college (including tribal colleges), or technical school in South Dakota. For example, if the student graduates from high school in May of 2018 and enrolls in college in the fall of 2018 as full-time student for the 2018-19 year, the student could apply in the spring of 2020. For students enrolled in a 2-year technical school, the scholarship may be awarded post-graduation, based upon the time of application review and monetary disbursement.
- Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Be an undergraduate enrolled in an agricultural or natural science conservation related major/curriculum.
- Show reasonable need for financial assistance.
- Have been involved in extracurricular and/or volunteer activities.
- Not have received a prior SD SWCS scholarship.
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.