Best Scholarships in SD

Quick Highlights:

Scholarships can help students in South Dakota fund their college education.
There are scholarships available based on different criteria like GPA, major, and membership in organizations.
Some scholarships are renewable, offering financial support for multiple years.
Requirements for scholarships often include essays, recommendations, and proof of specific qualifications.

Today, college is practically mandatory. However, some people still do not have access to the necessary funds to complete their education. If you’re looking to advance your education and your career, you will find that you have a lot of options. One of the best ways for people to gain funds for college is scholarships.

Looking for scholarships that suit you can be frustrating. For that reason, here is a list of a number of different scholarships available for people specifically residing in South Dakota. Entries are listed in alphabetical order for your convenience.

Featured Programs

1. AGC Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

The AGC Education and Research Foundation will give up to 100 candidates $2500. This is renewable award for up to two years. There is a cap on the scholarship of $7500.

Applicants must attend a school accredited by the American Council for Construction Engineers (ACCE) or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The student must also be looking for a degree in construction or engineering. This is only for American students. They must have a 2.0 GPA.

2. AGCO Dealer Scholarship

The applicant must be a member of the FFA. They must be under 23 and a high school senior or an undergraduate student. The student must be taking at least 12 credit hours. They can go for any major.

3. Alice Conger Patterson Scholarship

This scholarship is for $1,000. This amount is for the year with the amount being divided between Fall and Spring semesters. This scholarship is not renewable. Only one award is given out every year.

This scholarship is specifically designed for women over the age of twenty-three. This is specifically for undergraduate education. Funds can be used for anything related to the beneficiary’s education including tuition, room and board, and books.

4. Alpha Gamma RHO Educational Foundation Scholarship

This award is only offered to male high school students. They must be planning to attend a school that has a chapter of the Alpha Gamma Rho. They must also attend full time and study a major related to agriculture.

5. Army ROTC Scholarship

If you’re between the ages of 17 and 26, the United States Army might be a great option for you to not only continue your education but also serve your country.

To apply, you must be a US citizen between the ages of 18 and 26. You must also have graduated high school with a GPA of 2.5 (there may be options for people who have dropped out of school or have a lower GPA). Your ACT scores must be 19 or higher. There are also physical requirements. Lastly, you must agree to at least four years of service and four years of Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

The US Army will pay for a person’s entire college education in certain circumstances. Many variables and restrictions apply, so talk to your army recruiter today. And thank you for your service.

6. Augustana University Hatterscheidt Scholarship

Every year, one person can get up to $2000 for their first year at Augustana University. This is amount not renewable.

This scholarship is for South Dakota high school seniors who have been accepted into Augustana University. The selected candidate must have a 3.0 GPA based on a regular scale. The candidate must also show insufficient funds to pay for the tuition.

7. BNSF Railway Company Scholarship

The National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFO) sponsors this $1250 scholarship annually. This can be renewed for three years as long as the students remain enrolled full time with over a 3.0 GPA. They offer ten scholarships in ten different states. They accept one candidate from every state. The ten states are California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.

This scholarship is intended for members of the Future Farmers of America. Applicants must also be a high school senior with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This scholarship is designed for American students. The student must enroll full-time in business management, economics, finance, sales, or marketing.

8. Catholic United Financial Post-High School Tuition Scholarship

This religious organization offers up to $500 for people to further their higher education. The number of awards given every year varies. Past recipients cannot apply after they have already won.

Applicants must be a member of the Catholic United Financial group for at least two years. Benefits can be $500 for applicants going to a Catholic college. For non-Catholic colleges, benefits can be $300.

Applications are due on February 15th. Log into your account to apply. You will need to demonstrate your participation in your church. Recommendations from church officials are recommended. You will also write your own personal essay.

9. College Steps Program Scholarship

Wells Fargo sponsors this scholarship for $5000 or $500 for the grand prize winner and first place winners, respectfully. It is nonrenewable. They send out 168 awards every year. 84 awards go to high school students.84 awards go to college students.

10. Displaced Homemaker Scholarship

Another South Dakota scholarship sponsored by the Association on American Indian Affairs, this scholarship is aimed to help homemakers further their education. Many people put education and career on hold to support a family, and this scholarship is to encourage those people to continues their dreams.

The scholarship is for $1500. There are variations on how many people will receive the scholarship. Last year, three people received it.

Applicants must be 30 years old. They must also be US citizens and a member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe. Applicants must also be single-parent students or parents who are looking to advance their career.

Applications must be submitted by June 1st. As part of the application, candidates must submit an essay regarding their family lives that does not exceed three pages. Applicants must also submit proof of their membership in a federally recognized tribe.

11. EMU National Scholars Program

This renewable award will pay up to $15,000 for the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for people who want to attend Eastern Michigan University.

Getting the best education possible is important. Sometimes out-of-tuition costs can be significantly higher than expected, preventing this. If you are accepted into EMU from out-of-state, they want to ease the pain with this scholarship opportunity.

Applicants must have a 2.75 GPA. To be eligible, transfer students must also have 30 transferable credits. Applicants who fit these requirements are automatically considered for this scholarship if they turned in their college application by the priority due date.

12. Florence Young Memorial Scholarship

The Association on American Indian Affairs sponsors this $1500 scholarship every year. The amount is sent directly to the school for tuition. Half is sent each semester. While the scholarship is not renewable, the winners may reapply the following year. Four winners were announced last year, but this varies from year to year.

Applicants must be working toward a graduate degree in art, law, or medicine. The applicant must be a US citizen. The applicant must also be a member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaskan Native tribe. Applications must be received by June 1st.

Applicants must send in verification of their status as a member of a Native American Tribe. They must also send a personal essay no longer than three pages.

13. Haines Memorial Scholarship

The South Dakota Board of Regents gives one student $2150. This is not renewable. $1075 is given to the student in the fall semester, and the remaining $1075 is given to the student in a spring semester.

This scholarship is specifically for people in a teaching program with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The student must also be attending Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota State University, or the University of South Dakota.

14. Heart of America Scholarship

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) sponsor a scholarship for two students every year. The scholarship is of $1000 that is not renewable.

Applicants must have 60 credit hours and be working toward a degree in occupational safety and health. They also must have a 3.0 GPA if they are an undergraduate. They must have a 3.5 GPA if they are a graduate.

To apply, you must be a ASSE member. A yearly membership costs $15. Applications are due on December 1st.

15. Herb Affair Scholarship

The Herb Affair Scholarship Award is offering $1000 to one candidate who is enrolled in college.

This scholarship is open to most students. You must be enrolled in an accredited university, and you must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

The deadline for this scholarship is July 31st. The winner will be announced on August 15th. Men and women around the country are encouraged to apply. To apply, the applicant must write a 500-word essay on the benefits of holistic treatments as opposed to pharmaceutical medications.

16. I Have A Dream Scholarship

Every year, Unigo Group gives $1500 to a recipient who writes the best essay regarding the topic of civil rights.Applicants must be 13 years old and legal residents are attending an American school.

17. Inheritance of Hope Scholarship

The Inheritance of Hope will provide $1000 for one student. This is not renewable.

Applicants must be seniors in high school. They must be a US citizen. They must also have parents with a terminal illness.

The application is due May 31st. Applicants must submit an application, a doctor’s note, and a video answering three questions.

18. Korean American Scholarship Foundation Midwestern Regional Chapter

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19. Marc Endowment Scholarship

Awarded by the Epsilon Sigma Alpha, one applicant is given $1400. This scholarship is not renewable. Awards are made directly to the college of the selected candidate’s choice.

The candidate must be a high school senior, enrolled in undergraduate classes, or enrolled in graduate classes. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must also live in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. US citizens and international students are eligible.

Applications are due on February 1st. Applicants must submit the application, two letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The personal essay should discuss aspirations, why the applicant should be accepted, and achievements. There is also a $5 application fee to ensure the applicants take the application seriously and help support the scholarship process.

20. Make Me Laugh Scholarship

One student will receive $1500 for their college education for this, not renewable scholarship. Online applications are due on August 31st. To apply for this scholarship, the candidate must turn in a complete application with an original response to an essay question. Comedy is encouraged

21. Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship

The South Dakota Board of Regents offers one student $1500. This scholarship is not renewable. $750 is given at each semester.

Students must be a South Dakota resident. They must also be attending a public South Dakota university. The student must also have a 3.5 GPA.Applications are due on February 26th. Applicants must fill out the application and submit a personal essay.

22. MGMA Midwest Section Scholarship

This scholarship is specifically for students in the Midwest who are enrolled in a program in the medical field. This program can be an undergraduate or graduate program. Students must reside in the states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. There is a similar scholarship for people in Western states.

23. NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarship

Four candidates are given a scholarship amount of $3500. This scholarship is sponsored by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA). The candidates are chosen in June of every year at the NIADA Convention.This is an academic scholarship. Applicants are selected based on academic achievements and ACT or SAT scores.

24. NSHSS Tesoro Youth Leadership Awards Scholarship

To encourage young people doing good in their communities, the National Society of High School Scholars Foundation offers twenty young leaders a scholarship of $2500. This is a new scholarship that was just started last year.

To apply, the applicant must be a high school senior who is a permanent resident of one of nineteen states. This student must have a GPA of 3.0. They must also demonstrate financial need with a Tesoro Financial Need Form.

Applications are due on February 26th.

The student must answer a question on the application in 500 words and provide a recommendation. They must also submit a color headshot for the website.

25. Owana Anderson Scholarship

The Association on American Affairs is offering $1500 to an uncertain amount of female students. This scholarship is not renewable, but students can reapply every year.

The applicant must be a female who i s a United States citizen. The applicant must also be a junior in college and member of a recognized Native American tribe.

The application is due on June 1st. Applicants must submit proof of their status as a member of a Native American tribe, write a personal essay, and fill out the application.

26. Presbyterian Student Opportunity Scholarship

The Presbyterian Mission Agency is offering up to $2000 to a candidate who answer a series of essay questions the best at the discretion of the judges.Applicants must have been in school for at least a year and in good standing (have a 2.5 GPA or better). The applicant must also be working toward a Bachelor degree. They must also prove financial need.Applications were due on May 15th, and late applications are being accepted. As part of the application, a leader in the applicant’s local church must fill out answered about the candidate’s religious conviction and leadership capabilities.

27. South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship

Roughly 1200 candidates are selected every year to receive $6500 for their college career. The students will get this amount distributed throughout their four years at a school.If students maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete a minimum of 30 credit hours every year, they get $1300 a year for three years. For the fourth year, they get $2600.

28. South Dakota Retailers Association Jerry Wheeler Scholarship

The South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA) is looking to help students interested in a career in retail accomplish this goal by assisting with education costs. A committee will decide how to allocate the funds. Last year, the association gave $9800 in scholarships. They ranged in amounts from $500 to $1600.Applicants must be studying a field related to a retail career, and many fields can be seen as about retail. Please check the website for examples of the non-inclusive list.

Applicants must also have gone to high school or gotten a GED in South Dakota. People attending secondary school in South Dakota are also eligible. People attending an online institution may also apply.

Applications are available in December. The deadline is April 18th. Applicants must turn in the application, a personal essay regarding goals and/ or accomplishments, and two references.

29. SWE Region H Scholarship

The Society of Women Engineers offers two awards every year in the amounts of $1250 and $1500 to encourage women to succeed in the male-dominated field of engineering. This award in not renewable.

The applicant must be a female in the engineering field or computer science. She must be done with at least one year of your college career and enrolled full time. She must also have a GPA of at least 3.0. The applicant must also live in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, or Indiana.

The application is due February 15th. With the application, the candidate must submit two letters of recommendation. One must be from a professional in math or science field. The other letter must be from someone who has had a relationship with the applicant for at least two years.

30. Sweet and Simple Scholarship

The theme is: “Not every gift has to be expensive or extravagant. In fact, sometimes it’s the sweet and simple things that make a real difference in our lives. Think back and tell us about something you received as a gift and why it meant so much to you.”

Students above the age of 13 are welcome to submit an essay on this topic. The student must be 13 years old. The student must be a US citizen. All students who meet this criterion are encouraged to apply.The Unigo group will be giving $1500 to one student. This amount is not refundable. The deadline to turn in applications is February 28th.

31. Vincent L Hawkinson Foundation

We live in a world full of violence. Grace University Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and the Vincent L Hawkinson Foundation are trying to make the world a more peaceful place with their scholarship for the “pursuit of peace and justice”.

The scholarship is for $4000 – $5000. Applicants must be students in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, or Wisconsin. All perspective candidates must be available for a personal interview and award ceremony in Minneapolis.

32. Yanez & Associates – Law Scholarship

For the second time, Yanez & Associates will be giving a scholarship to two essay winners. First place will win a $2000 scholarship. Second place winner will receive $1000.

The essay will be about family law issues. It also must be 2000 words in length. All applicants must be in law school or pending acceptance to their law school program.

33. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

$2000 goes to one student for college expenses. This is not renewable. All US students should apply! It does not matter what your grades are or what your financial situation is.Applications are due on October 31st. Students must write an essay regarding the topic of a Zombie Apocalypse.

We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.