Top 5 South Dakota Schol­ar­ships

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Consensus Ranked top 5 scholarshps STATES 40

South Dakota is a wonderful state with a diverse population, but it has suffered over the years from a drain as talented young people and professionals move on to other states. For South Dakota to live up to its potential, the state government and many private organizations have made scholarships a priority, to keep South Dakota’s best and brightest at home, and to attract professionals to the state. It’s the best possible time to go to college in South Dakota, and the best opportunity to get a scholarship or grant to do it. 

College Consensus is focused on bringing prospective college students the information and resources they need to succeed, and that includes paying for college. The top 5 South Dakota scholarships we’ve selected here provide a starting point for a rewarding search. Scholarships are in alphabetical order.

See Also: Best Scholarships for Online Students

1

Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship

The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship offers funding for one academic school year. The rolling scholarship is designed to address the needs of teachers, but it also sets clear standards for their actions after graduation. It is one of the scholarships in South Dakota that requires a teacher to contribute to the state by teaching in a critical needs location after graduation.

The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship is offered by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Although it provides funding for one academic year after a student applies for the scholarship, it is a rolling scholarship. Students can apply for the scholarship more than once and receive funding for more than one year. The scholarship is a valuable option for students who plan to take on a teaching position because it pays for a large portion of a college degree.

2

Dakota Corps Scholarship Program

When you are looking into South Dakota scholarships, you will come across the Dakota Corps Scholarship Program. The program is designed to address a critical need in the state and requires students to commit to giving back to the state after graduation. The duration of that commitment depends on the number of years the student receives funding, so it may require students to commit to anywhere from two to five years of their early career giving back to the state.

The Dakota Corps Scholarship Program is provided by the Dakota Corps Scholarship Board. It was initially started by Governor Rounds in an effort to encourage students to seek a higher level of education. The primary reason the scholarship is a good option for students is the ability to roll it over for each year of their education. It covers the cost of 16 credit hours per semester at a participating public university, or covers a portion of the tuition costs for the same number of credits at a private university. It covers tuition and applicable costs associated with a degree.

3

Jump Start Scholarship

The Jump Start Scholarship is one of the scholarships in South Dakota that helps students who graduate from high school at an accelerated pace. It is designed around students who complete a high school degree in three years or less, and then decide to pursue a college degree. Students are not eligible for the scholarship if they enroll in the fourth year of high school for any length of time, even if they graduate early. The scholarship offers $1,500 for a student’s first year of college or university studies.

The Jump Start Scholarship is offered by the South Dakota Board of Regents. It is a good option for students who finish their high school degrees at an accelerated pace. It gives them a head start in obtaining a college degree and provides some assistance to help with the costs associated with a degree.

4

Marlon R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship

The Marlon R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship is designed for students attending a South Dakota public university. The scholarship offers up to $1,500 for a student’s education in participating universities. It is designed around the needs of juniors in college who have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher and have displayed leadership skills. Students must fill out an application and get a nomination from the South Dakota university they attend to qualify for the scholarship. They must also complete an essay that focuses on academic and leadership qualities at the university, as well as career plans and educational interests.

The Marlon R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship is provided by the South Dakota Board of Regents. It is a good option for students who will be moving into their junior year of college when receiving the funds and who display leadership qualities. Since it can apply to any student in a South Dakota public university, it offers students an equal opportunity to address financial concerns near the end of a college education.

5

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship is designed to address the financial needs of the students with the highest level of academic accomplishment in the state. The scholarship requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher to qualify. Students must also obtain a 24 or higher on the ACT and must apply for the scholarship within five years of graduating from high school. Students must also be a South Dakota resident. The scholarship offers $6,500 over four years as a rolling scholarship; however, students must continue to comply with the requirements to maintain the scholarship each year.

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship is provided by the South Dakota Board of Regents. It is a good option for students who meet or exceed academic standards because it is a rolling scholarship. Students receive funds each semester to help with the costs of a degree. The scholarship offers the most funding in the fourth year of college, but also offers funds from the first year until the fourth year as long as students keep up with the continuing eligibility standards.

What is the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship?

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship refers to the merit-based scholarship available through the state. It offers a total of $6,500 over four years to qualifying students who keep up with the continuing requirements.

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requirements for the initial school year in college focus on merit and attendance. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher to qualify for the scholarship. They must also score a 24 or higher on the ACT and get into a college in South Dakota. The scholarship also requires students to be a South Dakota resident at the time he or she graduates from high school.

Students must enter college within five years of graduating high school to obtain the scholarship. The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship application may also apply to students who have an ACT of 28 or higher, but do not provide information about a GPA score. Students need to apply for the scholarship by September 1st of each year when applying for the fall semester or by January 15th of each year when applying for the winter semester. Students who want to maintain the scholarship for each year after the first year must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must attend college full-time to meet the minimum standards for the number of credits each year.

Can I Get a Scholarship If I’m Already in College?

When it comes to South Dakota scholarships for college freshmen, it is not always necessary to apply for the scholarship during the summer before starting the fall semester. Students who are already in college may qualify for scholarships later in the year if they did not qualify during their first semester of school.

South Dakota scholarships for college students who are already in school may apply to the winter semester rather than the fall semester. Student applications for the scholarships are usually due by the first or second week of January; however, each college or university may set different standards for the application date. You will want to evaluate the different standards and dates before applying to any scholarship that allows you to obtain funds at different times throughout your education.

In some cases, scholarships provided by a college or private organization will also focus on students in their junior or senior year of college. The scholarships designed for students who are already in their third or fourth year of college are usually related directly to a student’s major. It may apply to students with specific majors in the college or specific types of majors, such as STEM majors. The exact details regarding specific scholarships will vary by school, so students should focus on the options available in their universities.

Are there Scholarships for Teachers in South Dakota?

South Dakota scholarships for teachers vary based on the organization offering the scholarship. At the state level, students can apply for the Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship. The scholarship is designed for high school students who plan to attend college and obtain a degree in teaching. It helps students pay for tuition costs and encourages students to complete their degree by reducing the costs of obtaining a degree. The scholarship does require students to work in a critical teaching occupation for five years after finishing their degrees. The scholarship is available for one year, but students can reapply for the scholarship in their junior year of college.

Students can also evaluate the options available through different universities and colleges. Some schools may offer scholarships to students in teaching programs based on merit, needs, or essays. The exact options available through the school may vary, so students should focus on programs that are designed for students in their school.

Are there Scholarships for Nurses in South Dakota?

South Dakota nursing scholarships are available to students who meet the standards for qualification. The nursing scholarships in South Dakota available through the South Dakota Nurses Foundation are designed for students who decide to pursue a higher level of education after working as a nurse with a bachelor’s degree. It applies to students who decide to pursue a master’s degree or higher. The students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, and must have a least one year of membership with the South Dakota Nurses Foundation to qualify for the scholarship.

Although the scholarships available through the South Dakota Nurses Foundation apply to students looking for a higher level of education in nursing, options available through colleges and universities may also help nursing students. Universities and colleges may offer a variety of scholarships that apply to nursing students. In many cases, the scholarships apply to a variety of students in the school, such as Pell Grants and the Dakota Corps Scholarship Program. The state also offers the South Dakota State Loan Repayment Program for students who study nursing, medicine, or fields related to the medical industry. The repayment program requires students to sign a contract for two or four years before it applies to student loans.

Related Rankings: 

Best Online Colleges in South Dakota

Best Colleges & Universities in South Dakota

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.