Tuition and Fee Exemption for Residents with Visual Impairments
South Dakota Board of Regents
Free tuition and fees at South Dakota public universities for residents with a visual impairment, up to 225 credit hours.
- How much
- Free tuition and institutional fees (up to 225 credit hours)
- Who qualifies
- Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- SD resident with a certified visual impairment; Board of Regents universities.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time
- How to apply
- Get certification from the SD Department of Human Services, Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired, then contact your university's business, registrar or admissions office
- What you'll need
- See how to apply
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (sdbor.edu) and page 2
The details
SDCL 13-55-11 to 13-55-13. Any South Dakota resident with a visual impairment (cannot, with correcting glasses, see well enough for ordinary activities requiring eyesight) who meets admission requirements may take any course at a Board of Regents institution, including distance courses, without paying tuition, library, registration or other fees paid directly to the institution, until 225 semester credit hours. Not applicable to repeated work or private instruction charges. Visual impairment is certified by the SD Department of Human Services, Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired.
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.