Overview of South Dakota Scholarships & Grants

South Dakota offers a wide range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs for both in-state and out-of-state students. This guide covers automatic merit scholarships from major universities, full-ride opportunities, statewide grants, and private-school awards. Whether you’re a high school senior, current college student, or parent planning ahead, you’ll find reliable information to help make higher education in South Dakota more affordable.

Review South Dakota Need Based Grant and the build-your-own portfolio of local awards.

How to Get a Grant for College in South Dakota?

To secure a college grant in South Dakota, follow these steps:

Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for most state and federal grants.
Apply for State-Specific Grants: South Dakota offers grants such as the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and Dakota Corps Scholarship.
Check Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet residency, financial need, and academic criteria for specific grants.

Visit your college’s financial aid office or the South Dakota Board of Regents website for additional details.

What Is the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship?

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship is a merit-based award for high-achieving students. Key eligibility requirements include:

Being a South Dakota resident.
Scoring at least 24 on the ACT or achieving a qualifying SAT score.
Completing the Regents Scholar curriculum with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Attending a South Dakota postsecondary institution.

The scholarship provides up to $6,500 over four years, distributed as $1,300 per year for the first three years and $1,700 for the fourth year.

What Is the Dakota Corps Scholarship?

The Dakota Corps Scholarship offers full tuition and fees to students pursuing high-need fields such as education, healthcare, and STEM. Eligibility includes:

Being a South Dakota high school graduate.
Achieving a minimum GPA of 2.8 and scoring at least 24 on the ACT.
Committing to work in South Dakota in a critical need occupation for at least three years after graduation.

This scholarship aims to retain skilled professionals in the state.

Does South Dakota Offer Full-Ride Scholarships?

Yes, South Dakota offers full-ride scholarships, including:

Dakota Corps Scholarship: Covers full tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students pursuing high-need careers.
Build Dakota Scholarship: Covers full tuition, fees, and tools for students attending technical colleges in high-demand fields.

These scholarships are highly competitive and often require a commitment to work in South Dakota after graduation.

What Is the Build Dakota Scholarship?

The Build Dakota Scholarship provides full tuition, fees, books, and tools to students attending South Dakota technical colleges. Key eligibility requirements include:

Enrolling in an eligible high-demand program at a South Dakota technical college.
Committing to work in South Dakota for three years after graduation.

This scholarship is designed to fill critical workforce needs in fields like manufacturing, IT, and healthcare.

Scholarships in South Dakota for High School Seniors

High school seniors in South Dakota can apply for scholarships such as:

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship: Merit-based scholarship for academically outstanding students.
Dakota Corps Scholarship: Full-tuition scholarship for students entering high-need fields.
Horatio Alger South Dakota Scholarship: Awards for students demonstrating financial need and resilience.

Work with your high school counselor to explore additional opportunities.

Scholarships in South Dakota for Adults

Adults returning to college in South Dakota can explore:

South Dakota Workforce Development Program: Provides funding for adult learners pursuing education in high-demand careers.
Build Dakota Scholarship: Supports non-traditional students entering technical programs in critical industries.

These programs aim to help adults advance their education and careers.

South Dakota State University Scholarships

South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers various scholarships, including:

Jackrabbit Guarantee: Provides $1,000 annually to incoming freshmen with strong academic performance.
Departmental Scholarships: Awards specific to certain majors and departments.
SDSU Foundation Scholarships: Privately funded scholarships available to SDSU students.

Visit SDSU’s scholarship portal for application details and deadlines.

University of South Dakota Scholarships

The University of South Dakota (USD) offers scholarships such as:

Coyote Commitment Scholarship: A merit-based scholarship for incoming freshmen based on GPA and test scores.
USD Foundation Scholarships: Privately funded awards available to USD students.
Honors Program Scholarships: Additional funding for students enrolled in USD’s honors program.

Students are encouraged to explore USD’s financial aid resources for more information.

South Dakota Grants for College

South Dakota offers several grants to help students afford college, including:

South Dakota Opportunity Grant: Need-based aid for students attending eligible colleges.
Federal Pell Grant: A federal need-based grant available to South Dakota residents who complete the FAFSA.
South Dakota Workforce Development Grants: Supports students pursuing careers in critical industries.

These grants ensure financial barriers don’t prevent South Dakota residents from pursuing higher education.

How to Apply for South Dakota Scholarships and Grants

To apply for scholarships and grants in South Dakota:

Complete the FAFSA: This is required for most federal and state aid programs.
Research State Programs: Explore opportunities like the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and Dakota Corps Scholarship.
Contact Your College: Reach out to your school’s financial aid office for additional institutional scholarships and grants.

Apply early and meet deadlines to maximize your financial aid opportunities.

Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025 Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.