Looking for even more scholarships? These free scholarship search tools can help you find opportunities based on your interests, activities, career plans, and other qualifications.
Don't forget the Current Scholarships page! Local and SD scholarships have smaller applicant pools than large national scholarships.
scholarships just for South Dakota students!
Search statewide scholarship opportunities from businesses, organizations, colleges, foundations and communities across SD. Use the filters to narrow opportunities by grade level, career field, region, college, GPA, and more.
top pick - start here
best for lots of options
best without creating an account
best for easy/unique scholarships
APPLY. APPLY. APPLY.
You don't have to meet every single qualification perfectly to give yourself a shot.
Don't wait until the deadline.
Give yourself time for essays, transcripts and recommendation letters.
Apply for the smaller scholarships.
A $500 scholarship might not sound huge, but several smaller awards add up quickly - and they often have fewer applicants.
Reuse your work.
Save your essays, activity lists and answers. You can often revise them for another application.
Proofread before you submit.
Names, grammar and incomplete answers matter.
Ask for recommendation letters early.
Don't ask someone the day before your application is due.
Some scholarships require a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach, employer or another adult who knows you well (not a parent or someone related to you!)
Ask early! Give your recommender plenty of time to write you a good letter and tell them:
what scholarship you're applying for
when the letter is due
how the letter needs to be submitted
why you're applying
activities, accomplishments or experiences you'd like them to know about (or give them a copy of your resume)
Tip: A recommendation is usually stronger when you ask someone who knows you well - not simply the person with the most impressive title.
Congratulations! 🎉 Now make sure the money gets where it needs to go.
Tell Mrs. Popham
Let me know the scholarship name and amount so we can recognize your accomplishment and make sure we have accurate information for Senior Awards Night.
Read the award instructions
Some scholarship send the check directly to your college. Others may give it to you or require enrollment verification first.
Send a thank you
If the scholarship came from a local organization, business, family or memorial fund, take a few minutes to send a genuine thank you note.
Keep your scholarship information
Save award letters, emails and contact information somewhere you can locate them in case you or your college have questions.
Scholarship applications can be confusing. If you're unsure whether you qualify, need help with an application, or want someone to look over an essay, stop in and see Mrs. Popham.
When in doubt, ASK!