The major statewide programs students attending college or technical school in South Dakota should know.
South Dakota offers several scholarship programs that can significantly reduce the cost of college or technical education. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, and award amounts vary, so be sure to review the complete requirements before applying.
⚡South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship⚡
Up to $7,500
For academically accomplished South Dakota high school graduates attending an eligible university, college, or technical school in South Dakota.
Application: Rolling
Fall enrollment deadline: September 1
Preferred: June 1
⚡SD Freedom Scholarship⚡
Need-Based Scholarship
Helps SD students with financial need earn a bachelor's degree at a participating SD college or university.
Who qualifies? SD students who:
have been a SD resident for at least one year before applying
demonstrate financial need
attend a participating SD institution
pursue a bachelor's degree
maintain at least a 2.0 GPA
graduate within 5 years
commit to live and work in SD for 3 years after graduation
How to Apply:
Students work with the financial aid office at their prospective college regarding the Freedom Scholarship
⚡Dakota Corps Scholarship⚡
Full Tuition
For students pursuing degrees that prepare them to work in a critical-need occupation in South Dakota. Recipients agree to work in South Dakota in an eligible occupation for each year they receive funding plus one additional year.
For 2026–27, eligible occupations include areas such as teaching, accounting/auditing, engineering, information technology, and registered nursing.
Application opens: November 1, 2026
Deadline: December 15, 2026
⚡Build Dakota Scholarship⚡
Full Ride Technical College Scholarship
Build Dakota is for students entering eligible high-demand programs at South Dakota's four technical colleges. It covers tuition, fees, books, and other required program expenses. Recipients commit to working full-time in their field in South Dakota for at least three years after graduation and maintaining a 2.5 cumulative college GPA.
2027 Application: January 1 – March 31, 2027
Students apply through the technical college they plan to attend. An industry partner is not required to apply.
⚡Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship⚡
For Current College Students
This scholarship is for students in the final two years of an undergraduate teacher-education program at a participating South Dakota institution. For the 2026–27 academic year, all K–12 teaching positions are designated as critical teaching needs.
Recipients agree to work in South Dakota in a critical teaching-need occupation for five years after graduation.
Application opens: November 1, 2026
Deadline: December 15, 2026
⚡Jump Start Scholarship Program⚡
$1,500
For South Dakota students who graduate from a public high school in three years or less. The $1,500 scholarship is split between the fall and spring semesters of the student's first year of postsecondary education.
Who qualifies?
South Dakota resident
Graduates from a South Dakota public high school in 3 years or less
Attended a South Dakota public high school full-time for at least two semesters before graduating
Enrolls within one year of graduation at an eligible college, university, or technical school with a campus in South Dakota
Students who attend high school for any part of a fourth year are not eligible.
Students may also receive the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship if they meet eligibility requirements.
Application deadline: Check current application