South Dakota College Aid: State Scholarships & Grant Programs You Should Know

🎓 South Dakota College Aid: State Scholarships & Grant Programs You Should Know

← Back to the State Aid & Grants hub • College Scholarship Hub

Paying for college in South Dakota can feel out of reach — especially if no one in your family has done it before. But the state actually has quite a few programs that can help. You just need to know what exists, what your kid needs to do, and what deadlines to hit.

Don’t skip this page. Some of South Dakota’s biggest scholarship programs are big on rules or timelines — and you won’t know unless someone explains them plainly.

🏅 Programs & Grants | 📋 Eligibility | 📝 How to Apply | 📆 Timeline & Checklist | ❓ FAQ

🏅 South Dakota State Aid Programs

Heads-up: Most of these programs only work with public South Dakota colleges and universities. Private colleges — even some in SD — typically don’t qualify. Make sure your kid’s school participates before applying.

📋 Eligibility Requirements

  • 🏠 Be a South Dakota resident (usually for one year prior to applying)
  • 📄 Submit the FAFSA (required for most state aid)
  • 🎓 Meet GPA, ACT, or course requirements for merit-based programs
  • 💰 Show financial need for need-based programs
  • 📝 For workforce scholarships: agree to live and work in South Dakota after graduation

📝 How to Apply

  1. Submit your FAFSA early at studentaid.gov — ideally by March 1
  2. Apply and get admitted to a South Dakota public college or university
  3. Apply for eligible scholarships through the South Dakota Board of Regents portal — this is where the state tracks most awards
  4. If your kid is offered the Freedom Scholarship, you’ll sign a form promising they’ll live and work in South Dakota for 3 years after graduation
  5. Read the fine print on work-based scholarships like Build Dakota and Teaching Needs — if they break the work promise, the award becomes a low-interest loan
What’s the FAFSA?
It’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — and it’s the first step to unlock grants, scholarships, and even state-based aid like South Dakota’s Freedom Scholarship. It opens every year on October 1.

Going Out-of-State?
Families in South Dakota may qualify for reduced tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). This program lets students attend public colleges in other Western states at a discounted rate.

📆 Timeline & Checklist

  • Junior Year: Track GPA, ACT, and coursework for scholarship eligibility
  • Fall of Senior Year: Submit FAFSA and apply to colleges
  • Sept 1: Priority deadline for Opportunity and Jump Start Scholarships
  • Jan 15: Final Opportunity deadline for spring-entry students
  • March 1: FAFSA priority deadline for Freedom Scholarship and campus-based aid
  • After award: Complete required paperwork for Freedom, Build Dakota, or teaching scholarships
  • ☐ FAFSA submitted
  • ☐ College applications in
  • ☐ Regents scholarship applications started
  • ☐ Signed scholarship agreements (if needed)
  • ☐ Work commitment reviewed and understood

South Dakota Colleges

❓ FAQ

Do any scholarships require working in South Dakota after college?

Yes. Freedom, Build Dakota, Dakota Corps, and Critical Teaching Needs all require your kid to live and work in South Dakota after graduation — usually for 3 to 5 years. If they don’t follow through, the award turns into a low-interest loan.

What’s the Regents portal?

It’s the official scholarship application system run by the South Dakota Board of Regents. It’s where you’ll apply for many of the state’s academic and career-based scholarships.

Can my kid go to a private college and still qualify for these?

Most state scholarships only apply to public colleges in South Dakota. Always check whether your kid’s school is eligible before accepting an award.

What happens if my kid’s grades slip or they take fewer classes?

Most scholarships require your kid to maintain a certain GPA and stay enrolled full-time. If they fall below that, the award may be paused or even revoked — but many programs allow you to appeal if something unexpected happens.

My kid graduated early. Do they qualify for anything?

Yes — the Jump Start Scholarship gives $1,500 to students who finish high school in 3 years. Just be sure to apply by Sept 1 of the graduation year.

What’s the difference between the Freedom Scholarship and the Needs-Based Grant?

The Freedom Scholarship is the state’s largest need-based award and requires a formal promise to live and work in South Dakota for 3 years after graduation. The Needs-Based Grant is smaller and awarded directly by colleges based on your FAFSA — no extra paperwork or commitment required.

What counts as “working in South Dakota” for scholarship commitments?

Your kid doesn’t have to work for the state — any full-time job in South Dakota counts, as long as they’re paying taxes and not attending college out of state. Some scholarships may have field-specific rules (like teaching), but for most, location is the key.

Can my kid stack more than one scholarship in South Dakota?

Sometimes. Your kid can receive both a merit-based and need-based award, like the Opportunity Scholarship and the Freedom Scholarship. But most programs won’t cover more than the total cost of attendance, so colleges may adjust amounts if the combined aid goes over the cap.

🏫 South Dakota Public Universities (Coming Soon)

  • University of South Dakota
  • South Dakota State University
🎒 Want Everything in One Place?
Download the free College Ready Parent Starter Kit — checklists, trackers, and tools to help your family stay on track and avoid student debt.

Whether your kid is starting next fall or figuring it out late, this page gives you a shot. You don’t need to be an expert — you just need the right information at the right time. And that starts here.

Scroll to Top