We are excited to announce the opening of applications for the Dakota Corps Scholarship for the academic year 2025-2026!
This scholarship is designed to support outstanding students who are committed to pursuing higher education in South Dakota and remaining in the state to work in a Critical Need Area!
Eligibility Requirements:
Graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school with a Grade Point Average (GPA of) 2.8 or greater on a 4.0 scale. Home schooled students will be allowed to provide supplemental information if this requirement is not applicable.
Have a composite ACT score of 27 or greater (or the SAT equivalent).
Agree, in writing, to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical need occupation after graduation for as many years as the scholarship was received, plus one year. The current critical need occupations for 2025-26 are:
Teaching -- K-12
Teaching -- Secondary
Special Education
Foreign Language
Vocal or Instrumental Music
English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learners (ELL)
Math
Science
Language Arts
Career and Technical Education
Accountant / Auditor
Engineer: (all areas EXCEPT: mining, chemical, biomedical, and computer hardware)
Information Technology
Registered Nurse
Apply for the Dakota Corps Scholarship for a school period that begins within one year of high school graduation, or within one year of release from active duty of an active component of the armed forces.
Attend a participating South Dakota college as an undergraduate student in a program that will prepare the student to work in a critical need occupation.
Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Scholarship Benefits:
The intent of the program is that the recipients do not pay anything towards tuition and generally applicable fees. The scholarships are in an amount approximately equal to:
· The maximum tuition and generally-applicable fees for 16 undergraduate credit hours (per fall and spring semester) at an institution of higher education under the control of the South Dakota Board of Regents for recipients attending a public four-year college, or
· The same amount that is paid for a public four-year college if the student is attending a private nonprofit college. Remaining tuition and generally applicable fees for 16 credits must be covered by the participating nonprofit college through institutional scholarship or tuition waiver.
· An amount determined on an individual basis for technical college recipients that will never exceed the maximum tuition and generally applicable fees for sixteen (16) undergraduate credit hours per semester for a public college.
· The maximum tuition and generally-applicable fees for a full-time undergraduate student at a tribal college if the recipient is attending a tribal college.
Not all eligible applicants will be selected for a scholarship. From the total pool of applicants, a limited number of recipients will be selected. Also, some South Dakota colleges may limit the number of scholarship recipients they accept, or not participate at all. All applicants will be notified following the Board's decision.
How to Apply:
Complete the online application for the Dakota Corps Scholarship – 2025-2026 at www.sdbor.edu/applyforscholarships
Students who have taken Dual Credit Coursework through a BOR institution can log in using the BOR Student Button under the photo on the left.
Other students can create a manual account and apply using the Non-BOR Student button under the photo on the right.
Submit the following documents:
High School Transcript
ACT Score Documentation
Deadline: All applications must be submitted by December 15, 2025.
We encourage all eligible students to apply and take the first step towards achieving their academic dreams. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! We are posting additional information on our Scholarships Knowledge Center: www.SDBOR.edu/scholarships
Click the Scholarship Information button to access the Informational Articles for the Dakota Corps Scholarship and other scholarships.