South Dakota scholarships and grants
Every program the state of South Dakota runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (4) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
Up to $7,500 over four years ($1,500 in years 1-3, $3,000 in year 4)South Dakota Board of Regents
Open now · due January 15, 2027Merit scholarship of up to $7,500 over four years for South Dakota high school graduates who meet ACT/GPA/curriculum requirements and attend an eligible South Dakota college.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + test scores
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Jump Start Scholarship
$1,500 (first year only, split between fall and spring)South Dakota Board of Regents
Open now · due August 31, 2027$1,500 for the first year of college for South Dakota students who graduate from a public high school in three years or less.
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
South Dakota Need-Based Grant (Needs Based Scholarship)
$500 to $2,000South Dakota Board of Regents
Apply any timeNeed-based award of $500 to $2,000 made by participating South Dakota colleges to students with the highest unmet need; FAFSA only.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Reduced Tuition for Residents 65 and Older
45% off tuitionSouth Dakota Board of Regents
Apply any time45% tuition reduction at South Dakota public universities for residents age 65 or older.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
South Dakota Freedom Scholarship
Amount set by your school based on need (not published)South Dakota Freedom Scholarship Board (South Dakota Workforce Scholarships)
Apply any timeService scholarshipThe catch: Live and work in South Dakota for 3 years after graduating, or the awards become a loan at 4% interest.
Need-based scholarship toward a bachelor's degree at participating South Dakota universities, in exchange for living and working in South Dakota for three years after graduation.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: US citizen or permanent resident
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Build Dakota Scholarship
Full ride: tuition, fees, books and required program expensesBuild Dakota Scholarship Fund / South Dakota technical colleges
Opens laterService scholarshipThe catch: Work full time in your field in South Dakota for 3 years after graduating, or repay a prorated share at 4% interest.
Full-ride scholarship (tuition, fees, books, tools) for high-need programs at South Dakota's four technical colleges, in exchange for working in the field in South Dakota for three years.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, trade school students, adults going back to school
- For high-need technical programs (nursing, engineering technology, automotive, ag technology, etc.) students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- Who can get it: US citizen or US national
- Usual timing: Annual; opens January 1, closes March 31; notification by June 30.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship
Up to tuition and generally applicable fees for 30 credit hours per year at an SD public institutionSouth Dakota Board of Regents
Opens laterService scholarshipThe catch: Teach in a critical-need area in South Dakota for 5 years after graduating, or it becomes a low-interest loan.
Up to two years of tuition and fees for South Dakota education majors in their final two years who commit to teach in South Dakota for five years.
- What it takes: state application + transcript
- For undergrads
- Needs a 2.8+ GPA
- For education students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- Who can get it: US citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Usual timing: Annual; opens November 1, closes December 15.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Dakota Corps Scholarship
Full tuition and generally applicable fees (16 credits per semester at public-university rates)South Dakota Board of Regents
Opens laterService scholarshipThe catch: Work in a South Dakota critical-need job one year longer than the years funded, or it becomes a low-interest loan.
Full tuition and fees for top South Dakota graduates who study for a critical-need occupation and then work in it in South Dakota.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 2.8+ GPA
- For education, accounting/finance, engineering students
- Who can get it: US citizen or US national
- Usual timing: Annual; opens November 1, closes December 15.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship
Minimum $1,000 per year (years 1-2), $1,500 (year 3), $2,500 (year 4)South Dakota Department of Education
Open now · due February 28, 2027At least $6,000 over four years for enrolled members of American Indian tribes who graduate from a South Dakota high school and attend college in South Dakota.
- Who it's for: Enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
- What it takes: state application + essay + recommendation + transcript + test scores + membership
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Free Tuition for Children and Spouses of National Guard Members Disabled or Killed in the Line of Duty
Free tuitionSouth Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs / Board of Regents
Apply any timeFree tuition at South Dakota state schools for children (under 25) and spouses of South Dakota National Guard members who died or were permanently and totally disabled on duty.
- Who it's for: Child or spouse of an SD National Guard member who died or was permanently disabled on duty
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Free Tuition for Children of Deceased Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers and EMTs
100% tuition waiver (up to 8 semesters)South Dakota Board of Regents
Apply any time100% tuition waiver at South Dakota public universities and technical schools for children of firefighters, law enforcement officers or EMTs killed in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: Child of a firefighter, law enforcement officer or EMT killed in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Free Tuition for Children of Veterans Who Died During Service
100% tuition waiverSouth Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs / Board of Regents
Apply any time100% tuition waiver at South Dakota state schools for residents under 25 whose parent died on active duty.
- Who it's for: Child of a service member who died on active duty
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Free Tuition for Dependents of POWs and MIAs
Free tuition and mandatory feesSouth Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs / Board of Regents
Apply any timeFree tuition and mandatory fees at South Dakota state schools for children and spouses of prisoners of war or service members missing in action.
- Who it's for: Child or spouse of a POW/MIA service member
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Free Tuition for Veterans
Free tuition (1 month per month of qualifying service; 1 to 4 academic years)South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs / Board of Regents
Apply any timeFree undergraduate tuition at South Dakota public universities and technical colleges for eligible South Dakota veterans who have no federal education benefits left.
- Who it's for: Veteran (honorable discharge, wartime service)
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Reduced Tuition for South Dakota Educators
50% of tuition, up to 6 credits per yearSouth Dakota Board of Regents
Apply any timeSouth Dakota teachers, vocational instructors and school counselors pay 50% of tuition for up to six credits a year at public universities.
- Who it's for: Employed SD teacher, vocational instructor, school counselor or psychologist
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Senior ROTC Cadet Partial Tuition Waiver
50% of resident tuition (up to 4 semesters)South Dakota Board of Regents
Apply any timeJunior and senior ROTC cadets who are South Dakota residents pay 50% of resident tuition for up to four semesters.
- Who it's for: Senior ROTC cadet (Army or Air Force)
- What it takes: membership
- For undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
South Dakota National Guard Tuition Benefit
100% of in-state tuition (after federal tuition assistance)South Dakota Department of the Military / Board of Regents
Apply any time100% of in-state tuition for South Dakota National Guard members at public universities (up to 128 undergraduate credits) and technical colleges.
- Who it's for: Member of the South Dakota Army or Air National Guard
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition and Fee Exemption for Residents with Visual Impairments
Free tuition and institutional fees (up to 225 credit hours)South Dakota Board of Regents
Apply any timeFree tuition and fees at South Dakota public universities for residents with a visual impairment, up to 225 credit hours.
- Who it's for: Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.