Navigating Scholarships in South Dakota: A Guide to Eligibility and Opportunities

For students seeking to pursue higher education in South Dakota, numerous scholarship opportunities are available to help alleviate the financial burden. These scholarships cater to a variety of academic interests, backgrounds, and financial needs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of several key scholarships in South Dakota, outlining their eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application processes.

Build Dakota Scholarship: Fueling South Dakota's Workforce

The Build Dakota Scholarship program represents a significant investment in the future of South Dakota's workforce. An initial $25 million gift from local philanthropist T. Denny Sanford and a matching contribution from the South Dakota Future Fund combined to create the Build Dakota Scholarship program. This initiative aims to address the shortage of skilled workers in high-need industries within the state. By providing full scholarships, the program encourages students to enter these critical fields and complete their education debt-free.

Eligibility and Commitment

To be eligible for the Build Dakota Scholarship, applicants must:

Meet citizenship eligibility requirements according to the federal financial aid regulations.
Complete the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Note that individuals at all income levels are encouraged to apply.
Be accepted into one of the scholarship-approved programs at a South Dakota technical college prior to applying.

Recipients of the Build Dakota Scholarship are required to complete their chosen program on time while maintaining full-time enrollment, which means taking sufficient classes to graduate in the allotted time. Entering a program with credits that apply toward graduation will not prevent you from receiving a Build Dakota Scholarship. A crucial component of the Build Dakota Scholarship is the commitment to live and work in South Dakota, in their field of study, for three years following graduation. This ensures that the state benefits from the skills and expertise of the scholarship recipients.

Scholarship Coverage and Renewal

The Build Dakota Scholarship covers expenses directly related to program requirements, including tuition, fees, books, equipment, technology, and tools. These purchases must be required and approved by the technical college. If a student wishes to purchase additional or optional equipment, books, or tools, it is at his or her own expense. If the remedial or preparatory courses are required prior to the start of a Build Dakota eligible program, they are covered by the scholarship, but the need for these courses must be determined and recommended by the technical college. Build Dakota will not pay for repeated class if student fail a class and need to retake it.

Read also: Funding Your Education at USD

The scholarship is renewable for up to the number of years required to complete the program, as defined by the college (i.e., one year, two years, three years, or four years), except that programs longer than four years are limited to four years. The recipient will not receive any additional funding for any years he or she takes beyond the required number. However, a student may only have one “break” in eligibility. For example: A student is eligible in Fall 2024 but falls below a 2.8 GPA in Spring 2025 - this is their first break. If they return to a 2.8 GPA in Fall 2025, they regain eligibility. A student must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward completing their degree.

Industry Partnerships

Businesses play a vital role in the Build Dakota Scholarship program by sponsoring scholars and contributing to their tuition and program expenses. In return, these businesses gain access to a pool of skilled employees who are committed to working in South Dakota after graduation. Securing an industry partner is not a requirement for applying and you will be given the option within the application to have it release to potential partners.

Application Process and Deadlines

The Build Dakota Scholarship application is open from January 1 through March 31 of each year. It is encouraged that you apply for and be accepted in one of the scholarship approved programs at a South Dakota technical college prior to applying. Because the Build Dakota Scholarship is offering scholarships in a wide-range of industries, submitting additional information outlined on the application is optional, but adds to the value of your application. The application allows you to share your academic and work experiences. Each technical college and/or industry partner is responsible for recipient selection in their eligible programs. As such, each school, or partner, has specific selection criteria based on the needs and availability of their programs and students. If you are selected for a Build Dakota Scholarship, you will be notified by the technical college with further instructions on how to complete the acceptance process.

Important Considerations

The Build Dakota Scholarship is exclusively for students not currently enrolled in a SD technical college and starting a NEW program at one of these schools. Beginning a new program is classified as starting in the first semester of a program. Exceptions apply for students currently taking dual credit or general education courses. If you currently have a degree in a field that has not been designated as high-need, and you wish to get a degree in a high-need area, you may qualify for this scholarship. At this time, the scholarship program supports approximately 600 scholarships per year. Based on applicant submissions from previous years, approximately one-half of the applicants will receive an award. There is not a minimum GPA that applicants must have, but GPA is considered in the selection process. Work experience and career preparation courses are important, too. The scholarship application has optional forms to allow applicants to demonstrate capabilities in addition to GPA. You may apply for a program at more than one technical college, however, you may be awarded only one scholarship in the eligible programs in which you have been accepted.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Prior to accepting funds, each scholar is required to sign a student agreement. If a student does not complete the terms of his or her student agreement, it will be converted to an interest-bearing debt and the funds allocated for that student will be used to provide a scholarship to a new scholar. If any of your tools, books, or other materials can be resold as new, you will not be required to repay those expenses. All scholars have the right to request an appeal by the technical colleges. Requests must be submitted within the 10 days following the date the scholar was notified of the decision to convert the scholarship to a debt.

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

Employment Commitment

Scholars must work in the exact field of the Build Dakota sponsored degree. If the scholar does not complete the terms of the agreement, the scholarship will convert to an interest-bearing debt.

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship: Rewarding Academic Excellence

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship (SDOS) is designed to reward top-performing high school graduates who choose to attend a participating university or technical college within the state. The goal of the scholarship is to prepare students for college success, provide affordable education, and promote staying in South Dakota for further education. Funded through state legislative appropriations and managed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, the SDOS provides up to $7,500 over four years.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:

Be a resident of South Dakota at the time of graduation from high school.
Have a composite score or superscore of 24, or higher, on the ACT or an equivalent score as determined by the Board of Regents on the SAT. The student shall take the ACT or SAT before beginning postsecondary education. If their ACT Composite or Superscore is 28 or higher, students will also need to meet minimum ACT subscores of 18 for English, 21 for Reading, 22 for Math, and 24 for Science. Students with ACT scores of 24-27 also need to complete high school curriculum requirements with a “C” or higher to be initially eligibility for the SDOS.
Meet specific high school curriculum requirements.
Attend a university, college, or technical school that is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and that provides instruction from a campus located in South Dakota.
Enter into the program within five years of graduation from high school or within one year of the student's release from active duty with an active component of the armed forces if the release is within five years of the student's graduation from high school.

High School Curriculum Requirements

The high school course requirements for graduation are as follows:

Four units of English.
Three units of social studies, including:
- One unit of American history.
- One-half unit of American government.
- One-half unit of geography.
- One-half unit of world history.
- One-half unit of a social studies elective.
Four units of mathematics that must include the following:
- One unit of algebra I.
- One unit of geometry.
- One unit of algebra II.
- One unit of advanced math.
Four units of science, including at least three units in laboratory science, that must include the following:
- One unit of biology.
- One unit of any physical science.
- One unit of chemistry or physics.
- One unit of science electives.
Two units of world languages (two years of the same language). Or Two units of either of the following or a combination of the two:(a) Approved career and technical education courses; and(b) World languages
One-half unit of computer studies.
One unit of fine arts.
One-half unit of personal finance or economics.
One-half unit of physical education or health.

A student may earn academic core content credit by completing an approved career and technical education course.

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

Alternative Testing Requirements

Any student who does not meet the high school course requirements as provided in subdivision 13-55-31(3) is eligible for the opportunity scholarship program if:

(1) The student takes theACT and earns a composite score or superscore of twenty-eight or higher and achieves ACT college readiness benchmark scores equaling or exceeding eighteen for English, twenty-one for reading, twenty-two for math, and twenty-four for science; or

(2) The student takes the SAT and earns a verbal-mathematics score of twelve hundred fifty or higher, while also attaining sufficiently high markers in reading, writing, mathematics, and science as not to require remediation in any of those areas.

Alternative Instruction

government;(iii) One-half unit of geography;(iv) One-half unit of world history; and(v) One-half unit of a social studies elective;(c) Four units of mathematics, including:(i) One unit of algebra I;(ii) One unit of geometry;(iii) One unit of algebra II; and(iv) One unit of advanced math;(d) Four units of science, at least three of which must be laboratory science, including:(i) One unit of biology;(ii) One unit of any physical science;(iii) One unit of chemistry or physics; and(iv) One unit of science electives;(e) Two units of either of the following or a combination of the two:(i) Career and technical education; and(ii) World languages;(f) One-half unit of personal finance or economics;(g) One unit of fine arts;(h) One-half unit of physical education; and(i) One-half unit of health or health integration;(4) Attend a university, college, or technical school that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and provides instruction from a campus located in this state; and(5) Enter into the program:(a) Within five years after the conclusion of the school year in which the student graduated, while being provided alternative instruction in accordance with §§ 13-27-3 to 13-27-9, inclusive; or(b) Within one year after the conclusion of the school year in which the student was discharged from active duty with the armed forces, provided the discharge occurred within five years after the conclusion of the school year in which the student graduated, while being provided alternative instruction in accordance with §§ 13-27-3 to 13-27-9, inclusive.

Scholarship Disbursement and Renewal

At the start of the fall semester, half of the annual opportunity scholarship is awarded to recipients. The remaining half is paid at the beginning of the spring semester. Once awarded, students must meet certain continuing eligibility requirements, or the scholarship renewal award is cancelled. Students are eligible to participate in the South Dakota opportunity scholarship program for up to four academic years (eight consecutive fall and spring terms) or until they earn a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.

Students with Completed Semesters

Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a student who would otherwise have been eligible for a South Dakota opportunity scholarship applies after completing at least one semester of full-time work at a regionally accredited university, college, or technical college, the student shall demonstrate compliance with the same credit hour requirements that apply to program participants.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond the Build Dakota Scholarship and the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, numerous other scholarships are available to students in South Dakota. Here are a few notable examples:

Air Force ROTC Scholarship

This scholarship covers 100% of tuition and fees for the entire undergraduate program (room and board not included), along with an annual allowance of $900 for textbooks and a monthly allowance of $300. It is awarded to outstanding high school seniors who excel in academics and extracurricular activities. Eligibility requirements include an ACT composite score of 26 or an SAT score of 1240, a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0, and successful completion of an interview and Air Force fitness test.

Dakota Corps Scholarship

The Dakota Corps Scholarship is geared towards students committed to working in South Dakota in identified critical-need professions. Applicants must have an ACT composite score of 27 and graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school with a GPA of at least 2.8.

Freedom Scholarship

The Freedom Scholarship offers awards ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, renewable based on the student's financial need each year. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Recipients must enroll in a bachelor’s degree program and maintain full-time enrollment in both fall and spring semesters.

Hatterscheidt Scholarship

The Hatterscheidt Scholarship awards $2,500 to five graduating South Dakota high school seniors for one year. Eligibility criteria include South Dakota residency, financial need (demonstrated through FAFSA application), a minimum high school GPA of 3.0, and admission to South Dakota State University as a full-time, main campus student.

Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship

This scholarship provides 25 awards of $10,000 each, disbursed throughout a student’s collegiate career. It assists high school students who have faced significant obstacles in their lives to overcome adversity, attend a postsecondary institution, and achieve success. Applicants must demonstrate financial need (household income of $100,000 or lower), a commitment to pursuing a bachelor's degree at South Dakota State University, involvement in extracurricular and community service activities, and a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Smithfield Scholarship

This scholarship is available to dependent children or grandchildren of current or retired employees of Smithfield Foods who are admitted to an undergraduate program at SDSU. Employees must have worked with the company for a minimum of 18 months for their child or dependent grandchild to be eligible.

Additional Resources

The South Dakota Board of Regents offers a Scholarship Portal to help students explore and apply for open scholarships managed by BOR. The Department of Education's Federal Student Aid webpage also provides additional credible scholarship information.

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