Free College Application Period

OCTOBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30, 2026

Apply to South Dakota's public colleges and universities free of charge each fall. The Free College Application Period is a great opportunity to explore your options and take the next step toward your future.

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WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The Free College Application Period is open to:

South Dakota residents
Students attending a South Dakota high school
Residents of SD Advantage states (Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming)
Transfer students
Readmit students

Residents of the states listed above who are applying to graduate programs may also participate when applying to Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, and South Dakota Mines.

Did you know?

High School Dual Enrollment students have additional opportunities to simplify the admissions process through Fast Track Admission when they apply for courses at South Dakota public universities.

Participating Institutions

Select one or more colleges below to begin your application. No discount code is required during the Free College Application Period.

(Mitchell Technical College, Southeast Technical College and Western Dakota Technical College never charge application fees.)

Promoting the Free College Application Period

Educators can access promotional items and grab-and-go activities to help spread the word about this great opportunity. Click the image to download the resources.