South Dakota benefits for college students

Food assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

South Dakota's name for SNAP, run by South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Economic Assistance. If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

DSS publishes a 'SNAP Benefits for Students' flyer. It defines a student as someone 18-50, physically and mentally fit, enrolled at least half time in an accredited school or college, who must meet one of these: work in a paid job at least 80 hours a month (self-employed: 80 hours and earn at least federal minimum wage x 80); take part in federal or state work study; care for a dependent under 6; care for a dependent who has reached age 5 (flyer wording) but is under 12 when adequate child care is not available; be a single parent of a child under 12 enrolled full-time; receive TANF; or be placed in school through on-the-job training, WIOA, Trade Adjustment Assistance or Trade Readjustment Allowance. These match the federal rules; no extra state-designated programs are listed.

Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) · South Dakota's page for students

Health coverage: South Dakota Medicaid

South Dakota has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

DSS says that from January 1, 2027 some Medicaid Expansion adults ages 19-64 must show 80 hours a month of community engagement, and 'enrolling in or attending school at least half-time' counts toward meeting it.

Apply for South Dakota Medicaid

Child care help: Child Care Assistance (CCA)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. College or technical school counts on its own. A parent attending a college, university or technical college for at least 12 semester credit hours meets the requirement; with fewer credits, you need 80 hours a month of actual class time, or class plus work hours adding up to 80 hours a month. Required unpaid internships, practice teaching and clinical hours count. Technical, associate and bachelor's programs qualify; class time in master's or doctoral programs is not covered (only paid work hours count for grad students). In two-parent homes both parents must meet the work/school requirement. Student financial aid is not counted as income. Income limit is 209% of the federal poverty level (effective March 1, 2026).

Apply for Child Care Assistance (CCA) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

We found no extra state Lifeline discount on South Dakota's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline

Taxes

South Dakota has no state Earned Income Tax Credit.

Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

Keep looking

• South Dakota grants and scholarships
• Every benefit, and other states