Jump Start Scholarship
South Dakota Board of Regents
$1,500 for the first year of college for South Dakota students who graduate from a public high school in three years or less.
- How much
- $1,500 (first year only, split between fall and spring)
- Who qualifies
- Graduate from an SD public high school in 3 years or less; full-time college enrollment in SD within 1 year of graduation.
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- When to apply
- Open now · due August 31, 2027 Annual; opens September 1, closes August 31 of the following year (for that fall's funding).
- How to apply
- Apply on the SD Board of Regents Scholarship Portal
- The application for Fall 2027 funding is open September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (tdx.sdbor.edu), page 2 and page 3
The details
Funded from state aid to education saved by the student's early graduation (SDCL 13-55). Eligibility: South Dakota resident; complete the recommended high school program and receive a diploma from a South Dakota public high school in three years or less (any enrollment in a fourth year disqualifies); attend a South Dakota public high school full time for at least two semesters; and within one year of graduation (excluding active-duty time) enroll full time at an accredited college, university or technical school with a South Dakota campus. Paid in two equal installments in the fall and spring of the first year after high school (no summer). Can be combined with the SD Opportunity Scholarship.
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
- 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.