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, 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 July 15 and closes on December 15.
Apply for a General Scholarship
*Please note, that this application is for consideration of ALL General Academic Scholarships.
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.
- 4.0 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.
- 4.0 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, GPA is evaluated after each semester.
DSU Champion Transfer Scholarship
New Transfers - $1,500 Per Year Complete the Transfer Champion Scholarship application prior to 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
- 3.5 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
Please note that, once you’ve started classes at DSU, you will no longer be eligible for this scholarship. Once the scholarship is awarded to you, however, it is renewable if you complete 30 DSU credits per academic year, maintain continuous full-time enrollment, and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, GPA is 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).
DSU Rising 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).
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 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.
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
Deadline: March 8, 2024
Amount: 2 - $1000
Black Hills Home Builders Association (BHHBA) awards multiple scholarships to upcoming or current college students for the Fall semesters. The scholarship aims to recognize the student's academic excellence, 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.
The eligible individuals will be judged based on academic achievement, community service, school and non-school activities, and their answers to the essay questions on the application form.
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
Citizens wants to honor the dedication of students and families pursuing higher learning! Fill out the registration form to be entered for a chance to win a Grand Prize of $15,000 to use towards school expenses and one of the $2,500 monthly prizes for use towards school expenses. Additionally, each quarter a student who meets the required criteria for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship Prize will be eligible to win a $2,500 quarterly prize for use towards school expenses.
Requirements:
- Must be a full-time college student
- Must work at Classic Corner minimum of 20hrs/ wk during the school year and a 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 a full year, the following amounts will be paid out to help with tuition. The amounts will be paid directly to the financial aid office and applied to your account.
- Year One: $1,000
- Year Two: $1,000
- Year Three: $1,500
- Year Four: $1,500
Note: When applying please reference the tuition assistance program.
For more information contact:
Shannon Kauffman
Owner/ Partner
Classic Corner
(605) 256-0338
Email
Application for 2024 is now open.
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Scholarships can be awarded to any volunteer who is age 21 or younger and has volunteered for a minimum of 100 hours through DAV or DAV Auxiliary.
Scholarships can be used at any accredited institution of higher learning; including universities, colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, etc.
Amount: Range from $500 to $1000
Deadline: May 1, 2024
Eligibility:
Financial need or high academic achievement shall not be mandatory criteria for a recipient to be granted a scholarship. Scholarships are limited to graduates who have 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. Candidates may be awarded the scholarship for multiple years and must apply every year.
Applications are available online at
https://www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us/o/district/page/doolittle-memorial-endowment,
or may be picked up at the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation Office or in the Student Services area at Aberdeen Central High School. If you would like an application emailed to you, please contact Gretchen.Sharp@k12.sd.us.
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
Application opens January 1, 2024, and the deadline is June 15th, 2024
Students awarded the scholarship, and who continue to meet eligibility requirements, will receive funding annually as follows:
$6,000 as a Freshmen
$6,000 as a Sophomore
$8,000 as a Junior
$10,000 as a Senior
To be eligible, students should be from a small town with a population of fewer than $25,000 people and have a family household income of $55,000 or less. We seek those who are highly motivated, have a track record of excelling in projects or winning science/math awards and demonstrate a passion for STEM studies. Strong performance in math and science (3.5 GPA or above, AP courses. mostly A's) is also valued.
The Lariat Future Innovators Foundation - STEM Scholarship Application
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
Eligibility:
- Be a full-time student at a partner school
- Meet your institution's academic requirements
- Work a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 19 hours per week during the school year
- Work 90 days with a satisfactory performance rating
- Cannot currently be employed with a competitor of First PREMIER Bank or PREMIER Bankcard
- Scholarship winners are not benefits-eligible
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.
Deadline: February 28, 2024
Eligibility Requirements:
- Graduation from an accredited South Dakota high school
- Apply within 5 years after high school graduation or 1 year after release from active military duty (if that release is within 5 years of high school graduation)
- Be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
- Must attend a public or non-public accredited university, college, or technical institute located in South Dakota
Amount: $1000
Deadline: March 3, 2024
The challenge is to write an article on "What are the next-gen innovations in assistive technology? How are these innovations helping differently-abled people to bridge the digital divide and career gaps?"
Sage IT Scholarship
Amount: Maximum amount is $2,500.
Deadline
June 28, 2024, or until scholarship dollars have been awarded.
Eligibility
Enrolling full-time or part-time at an accredited post-secondary institution or continuous education program opens a new window.
- Two-year Schools.
- Four-year Schools.
- Vocational/Technical certificate/certification program.
- Will complete their degree or program by the end of the Spring 2024 semester (can be either Fall 2023 or Spring 2024).
- Current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
- Be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.
- Be a diverse candidate.
- Diverse shall include, but not be limited to: (Gender, Disability, Race, Ethnicity, Belonging to an underserved community).
- Able to demonstrate leadership abilities.
- Demonstrate good moral character in all aspects of your life, including personal, professional, educational, in your community, and online presence.
Amount: $1,500 Deb Gates Scholarship; $3,000 Herman Lerdal Scholarship; $3,000 Joyce Hazeltine Scholarship; $3,000 David Birkeland Scholarship; $4,000 Alan M Graff Scholarship
Deadline: March 29, 2024
Eligibility: The South Dakota Bankers Foundation annually offers five named scholarships awarded directly to students attending a South Dakota college who are pursuing a career in banking or finance (may include business, finance, IT, cyber security, HR, marketing, etc.) Applicants must be in their junior year, entering their senior year of college during the 2024-2025 school year.
South Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Scholarship
Amount: $1000
Deadline: April 15, 2024
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- 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.
Past applicants have majored in agronomy, soil science, precision ag, agricultural systems technology, agricultural engineering, range science, forestry, ag journalism, ag education, biology, botany, environmental management, horticulture, and wildlife and fisheries science. Other majors related to conservation also qualify.
Amount: $1,000 to $4,000
Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: The SDSWMA Scholarship Program, an entity of the South Dakota Solid Waste Management Association (SDSWMA), provides scholarships annually to students pursuing vocational trade degrees for Commercial Driver’s License, Heavy Equipment Operations, Diesel Technology, Environmental Technicians, GPS/Computer Technicians, etc. Preference is given to South Dakota residents intending to study at South Dakota colleges. Applicants must also intend to enroll for the fall semester.
To apply:
- Submit a cover letter including the following:
- Contact Information – please provide a permanent mailing address
- Interests
- Background
- Work history and/or extra-curricular activity
- Financial need
- Goals for the future and career goals
- Applicants must furnish a copy of their most recent grade transcript. This scholarship is not solely awarded based on grades or overall GPA. We are more interested in your dedication and goals for the future.
- Three letters of reference.
- High School seniors applying for a scholarship must include an acceptance certificate from the post-secondary institution they will be attending.
- Submit application letters via email to: sdsolidwaste@yahoo.com or through the mail at the following address:
- SDSWMA Scholarship Program
1616 Melody Lane
Aberdeen, SD 57401
- SDSWMA Scholarship Program
- Application letters must be emailed or postmarked no later than January 15 of each year, for the following school year.
- Further information can be obtained by contacting SDSWMA by phone (605-216-3256) or sending an email to SDSWMA at sdsolidwaste@yahoo.com.
Deadline: January 12, 2024
Eligibility:
- Be a graduating high school senior or first-time attendee at an institution of higher education.
- This fall, plan to be a full-time student in an accredited college or vocational-technical school.
- Be a child or dependent of a Sioux Valley Energy member.
- Have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA plus an ACT/SAT score for the four-year college/university scholarship or a 2.5 or higher GPA for the two-year technical college or power line school scholarship.
- Provide a written recommendation from a teacher, administrator, or counselor.
- One winner per family/per year.
Amount: 3 Scholarships at $2000 each
Deadline: June 14, 2024
Eligibility:
A High School Diploma, GED equivalent or will have it at graduation in 2024;
Accepted into or attending a multi-year program degree at any accredited technical college or other accredited post-secondary higher education institution in South Dakota for the fall 2024 semester;
Are majoring in a degree/program or field of study that is useful in the telecommunications or broadband industry or which significantly relies on the use of broadband services and related technologies (examples of majors eligible for this scholarship can be found listed below and
A customer/member or have a parent or legal guardian that is a customer/member of a SDTA member company.
Previous SDTA Memorial Scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply.
Deadline: May 3, 2024
TC Energy is offering 880 scholarships, valued at up to $5,000 each, to students living in communities that host their projects across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. This program is designed to support the next generation of community leaders by investing in their education and training to build a strong and skilled workforce for the future.
To be eligible for a TC Energy scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
• Be enrolled in a post-secondary institution for the upcoming academic year
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the U.S. or Mexico
• Be located in a community near TC Energy’s operations or projects
• Would benefit from supplementary education funding
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.