South Dakota State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
South Dakota State University is the state’s largest public campus and a popular choice for students across the Midwest. If your family is from South Dakota—or one of the nearby states that qualify for tuition breaks—this page breaks down what SDSU really costs, what automatic scholarships you can count on, and which competitive awards are worth the extra effort. We’ll also point you to our South Dakota state aid guide for additional opportunities.
💰 Cost of Attendance at South Dakota State University
| Expense | In-State (SD) | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (15 credits/term) | $9,554 | $13,166 |
| Housing & Meals | $10,648 | $10,648 |
| Books & Supplies | $810 | $810 |
| Travel | $1,846 | $1,846 |
| Personal/Misc. | $2,338 | $2,338 |
| Total (before aid) | $25,262 | $28,874 |
This is what families actually paid after scholarships and grants — no loans included. Source: U.S. Department of Education, NCES.
• South Dakota Advantage: Residents of CO, IL, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, ND, WI, and WY pay the in-state tuition rate automatically. That’s a savings of about $3,600 per year compared to the regular out-of-state price.
• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): SDSU participates in the WUE program, which sets tuition at 150% of the in-state rate. At SDSU, this works out to roughly the same as the standard nonresident rate—but it can still matter for students comparing across multiple WUE schools.
• Minnesota Reciprocity: The long-standing SD–MN reciprocity agreement ended after 2024. Minnesota students now qualify under the South Dakota Advantage program instead.
FAQ: Tuition Discounts
Who qualifies? Residents of the listed Advantage states automatically get the in-state rate. WUE is open to students from western states, but here it doesn’t provide extra savings beyond the nonresident rate.
How much could we save? A student from Nebraska, for example, pays the same as a South Dakota resident—about $9,554 for tuition instead of $13,166, saving roughly $3,600 per year.
Do we need to apply? No. South Dakota Advantage and WUE are automatic based on residency. You’ll see the correct rate applied when you’re admitted.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
SDSU’s main admission-based award is the Jackrabbit Guarantee. Every first-time freshman is automatically considered when they apply for admission—no separate form is required. Awards scale up based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores, and they renew each year if your student keeps up their grades and credit load.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackrabbit Guarantee — Tier 1 | $1,000/yr (up to 4 years) |
First-time freshmen; 3.0–3.49 GPA or ACT 20–22 (superscore) |
No | Yes — 2.5 GPA + 24 credits/year | Solid B average or ACT low 20s students. |
| Jackrabbit Guarantee — Tier 2 | $2,000/yr (up to 4 years) |
First-time freshmen; 3.5–3.79 GPA or ACT 23–25 |
No | Yes — 2.5 GPA + 24 credits/year | Students with strong grades and mid-20s ACT. |
| Jackrabbit Guarantee — Tier 3 | $3,000/yr (up to 4 years) |
First-time freshmen; 3.8–3.99 GPA or ACT 26–28 |
No | Yes — 2.5 GPA + 24 credits/year | High-achievers with mostly A’s or upper 20s ACT. |
| Jackrabbit Guarantee — Tier 4 | $4,000/yr (up to 4 years) |
First-time freshmen; 4.0 GPA or ACT 29+ |
No | Yes — 2.5 GPA + 24 credits/year | Top students with perfect GPA or ACT near 30+. |
Award tiers are based on SDSU’s published grid. Actual cutoffs can shift slightly each year depending on the applicant pool and funding.
FAQ: Automatic Scholarships
Do we need to fill out another form? No. The Jackrabbit Guarantee is automatic with admission—just make sure you apply to SDSU on time.
Does SDSU accept superscoring? Yes. SDSU accepts ACT and SAT superscores, which can help a student qualify for a higher award tier.
Can these stack with other discounts? Usually yes, but some competitive awards may replace the Jackrabbit Guarantee. Always check the official award letter to see how SDSU applies stacking rules.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Beyond the automatic Jackrabbit Guarantee, SDSU offers a very small number of large scholarships that require an extra application and, in most cases, an interview. These awards are highly selective and can significantly reduce the total cost of attendance.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elma & Dolores Haver Scholarship | Full Cost of Attendance (×4 years) | Any major; GPA ≥3.25 and ACT 22+; FAFSA required; preference for Irene-Wakonda HS grads | Yes — Academic Scholarship App | Yes (4 years) | One student per year; combines merit and need; interview required. |
| National Merit Semifinalist | $5,000/yr × 4 | National Merit Semifinalist standing | No — automatic with NM status | Yes | All confirmed Semifinalists enrolling at SDSU. |
| National Merit Finalist | $8,500/yr × 4 | National Merit Finalist standing | No — automatic with NM status (finalist confirmation by Aug 1) | Yes | All confirmed Finalists; replaces Semifinalist award. |
FAQ: Competitive Scholarships
Are the awards stackable with the Jackrabbit Guarantee? In most cases, competitive scholarships will replace the automatic award. Families should check their award letter for details.
Do I need to fill out a separate application? Yes for the Haver (via the Academic Scholarship Application). No for National Merit—those are automatic once SDSU receives confirmation of status.
What signals help my student win? For the Haver, strong academics plus financial need and service/leadership; for National Merit, test performance that qualifies at the semifinalist or finalist level.
⭐ College Specialty
South Dakota State University is a public land-grant research university (classified as an R1 Research University), and it carries a strong reputation across agriculture, health, and the applied sciences. Families looking for a school with hands-on labs, industry partnerships, and professional pipelines will find SDSU particularly strong in areas that directly connect to South Dakota’s economy and beyond.
Precision Agriculture — SDSU was the first university in the nation to launch a B.S. in Precision Agriculture and continues to lead the field with the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. Students gain access to state-of-the-art labs and partnerships with ag-tech companies, making it one of the most recognized programs nationally.
- Dairy Science: SDSU operates one of the largest university dairy plants in the country and is consistently ranked among the top dairy science programs nationwide, producing award-winning ice cream and training professionals for the dairy industry.
- Pharmacy (Pharm.D.): The College of Pharmacy & Allied Health Professions is nationally accredited and has been recognized among the top 25% of pharmacy schools by U.S. News & World Report (2024).
- Veterinary Medicine (SDSU–UMN DVM Pathway): Through a cooperative agreement with the University of Minnesota, SDSU offers South Dakota students a direct, affordable pathway into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program — the only route of its kind in the state.
- Nursing: SDSU’s College of Nursing is the largest in South Dakota and consistently ranks as the state’s top producer of BSN graduates, with strong NCLEX pass rates and clinical partnerships statewide.
🎖 Honors College
SDSU’s Van D. & Barbara B. Fishback Honors College gives high-achieving students a smaller, more personalized community inside a large research university. Admission is by self-application, and students are guided through essays, seminars, and faculty mentorship that help them go deeper in their studies while still graduating on time.
• High school GPA around 3.8+
• ACT scores in the high 20s–30+ range (superscore accepted)
• Track record of leadership, service, or research interest
• Willingness to write essays and engage in discussion-based courses
• Priority course registration
• Honors housing options and living-learning community
• Small seminars and team-taught courses
• Faculty mentorship and support for research/thesis
• Access to special scholarships such as the Stai and Prebys Honors Awards
| Honors Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dian & Harlan Stai Honors Scholarship | $5,000/yr × 4 = $20,000 | SD, MN, IA seniors; high GPA or ACT 30+; strong leadership | Yes — Academic Scholarship App + interview | Yes (4 years) | Top academic leaders; chosen through competitive interview process. |
| Dian & Harlan Stai Honors Access Scholarship | $5,000/yr × 4 = $20,000 | Same as Stai Honors, but must also be Pell-eligible (FAFSA) | Yes — Academic Scholarship App + interview | Yes (4 years) | High-achieving students with financial need; ensures access across income levels. |
| Prebys Honors Endowed Scholarship | Varies — $1,000–$3,000/yr typical | Incoming freshmen or transfers enrolled in Honors; full-time; maintain GPA | Yes — Honors application | Yes (up to 4 years) | Strong incoming students who commit to Honors early; renewable with good standing. |
Note: Award ranges are based on the latest published information. Some awards require competitive interviews and may replace other automatic merit aid. Always confirm details in the official award letter.
FAQ: Honors College
Is admission automatic? No. Students must complete the separate Honors College application, usually alongside their admission process.
Does it add time to a degree? No. Honors requirements are designed to integrate into a four-year degree plan when students start early.
Are there extra scholarships? Yes. The Stai Honors, Stai Honors Access, and Prebys Endowed awards offer significant funding in addition to regular aid.
When should my student apply? As early as possible in senior year to maximize scholarship consideration. Invites for competitive awards typically go out in December with interviews in January.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
SDSU may not always get the national spotlight like some larger universities, but for families in South Dakota and the surrounding states it offers a powerful mix of affordability, hands-on learning, and research-level opportunities. With automatic scholarships like the Jackrabbit Guarantee, generous state aid programs, and hidden gems like Wokini or music awards, many students can bring the cost down much lower than the sticker price. Add in the Fishback Honors College and SDSU’s strength in fields like agriculture, nursing, and pharmacy, and it’s a smart option for students who want strong programs without overwhelming debt.
✅ Last updated: August 29, 2025