South Dakota Scholarship and Grant Details
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The South Dakota Board of Regents is the governing body for the overall fitness of state-funded schools, including primary, secondary and post-secondary. The Board oversees and regulates the quality at six state universities and four technical institutions, as well as two "specialized" facilities. The South Dakota state university system includes:
- Black Hills State University
- Dakota State University
- Northern State University
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- South Dakota State University
- University of South Dakota
General Scholarships and Grants
The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarships are administered by the SD Department of Education. The program provides qualified recipients with up to $5000 in scholarship monies. Candidates must prove participation in a Regents Scholars curriculum in their high school, show high ACT scores and have a competitive GPA. Students must be pursuing a degree at a state college or university.
Like many rural states a concern among lawmakers is the loss of academically talented minds to other areas of the country and out-of-state colleges and universities. Recently the Governor of South Dakota established the Dakota Corps Scholarship Program that works to provide attractive incentives to SD students who may be considering out of state colleges. Students who opt to attend state colleges or universities while pursuing a "critical need occupation" may qualify for scholarships that cover tuition costs. Students who comply must also have GPA of 2.8 and competitive ACT scores. The scholarship is only complete when the applicant agrees to work within the state after graduation and within the "critical need occupation" in which they have been trained. One year of tuition scholarship equals a year of state employment. Critical need occupations may include health care professionals and educators, among others.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships are a federally funded program offered to students in each state. Honors level seniors in South Dakota high schools compete for a small number of $1500 scholarship gifts. Students are chosen by a board of professional educators and recipients are often top honors students, involved in community affairs and volunteer activities and have been accepted at any type of college or university in the United States.
Applications and complete details of the opportunities listed above can be accessed at the SD Department of Education.
Specialized Studies Scholarships and Grants
Teachers continue to be in short supply in almost every state. The Hains Memorial Scholarship is designed to encourage the success of South Dakota's teaching students. Eligible students must be in at least their sophomore year of studies and be attending one of the South Dakota state colleges or universities that offers a teaching program.
Freshmen pursuing a degree in elementary education at a state college or university ought to apply for the Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship. The award is both merit and need based. Students with disabilities will also have preference.
Native American students who are residents of South Dakota and intending to pursue a degree in agriculture might consider applying for the Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship. Administered through the Board of Regents the award provides monies toward an agriculture or natural resources management program at any college or university.
See the South Dakota Board of Regents website for contact information.
