South Dakota Freedom Scholarship
South Dakota Freedom Scholarship Board (South Dakota Workforce Scholarships)
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.
- How much
- Amount set by your school based on need (not published)
- Who qualifies
- SD resident 1+ year; first bachelor's degree at a participating SD university; 2.0 GPA; degree within 5 years; written commitment to live and work in SD for 3 years after graduation.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA-driven; schools invite eligible students each year and set their own paperwork deadlines (2026-27 award packets went out July 2026).
- How to apply
- Apply for admission to a participating university and file the FAFSA
- Your school's financial aid office invites eligible students
- Accept the offer and sign the scholarship agreement/promissory note in the Freedom Scholarship portal by your school's deadline
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (freedomscholarshipsd.com), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Created by the Legislature in 2021 (SDCL 13-55A-15 to 13-55A-17) with state and private (T. Denny Sanford) money; the state's largest need-based scholarship. Eligibility: South Dakota resident for at least one year before applying; pursuing a first bachelor's degree at a participating institution (Augustana, Black Hills State, Dakota State, Dakota Wesleyan, Mount Marty, Northern State, SD Mines, SDSU, University of Sioux Falls, USD); financial need as determined by the school and the Freedom Scholarship board; keep a 2.0 college GPA; finish the bachelor's degree within five years; US citizen or permanent resident. Not automatically renewed: file the FAFSA each year. Technical colleges and out-of-state schools are not eligible.
More money from South Dakota
- South Dakota Opportunity ScholarshipUp to $7,500 over four years ($1,500 in years 1-3, $3,000 in year 4)
- South Dakota Need-Based Grant (Needs Based Scholarship)$500 to $2,000
- Jump Start Scholarship$1,500 (first year only, split between fall and spring)
- Reduced Tuition for Residents 65 and Older45% off tuition
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.