Sioux Valley Energy is offering$20,000 worth of scholarships this year to eligible graduating high school seniors or first-time attendees at an institution of higher education.
Applications are judged on the basis of grades, ACT or SAT test scores, work experience, school activities, volunteer community service and an essay question. The scholarship committee that determines recipients includes two Operation Round Up Board Members, an SVE Board Member, two SVE employees and a school counselor or administrative staff member. The majority of the scholarship funding comes from Operation Round Up funds, with additional funds from Basin Electric Power Cooperative and L&O Power Cooperative.
Applications that are hand delivered must be in one of the SVE offices no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, January 16, 2026. Mailed applications must be postmarked by January 16, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Be a graduating high school senior or first-time attendee at an institution of higher education
- Plan to be a full-time student in an accredited college or vocational technical school this fall
- Be a child or dependent of a Sioux Valley Energy member
- Have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA plus an ACT/SAT score for the four-year college/university scholarship or a 2.5 or higher GPA for the two-year technical college or power line school scholarship
- Provide a written recommendation from a teacher, administrator or counselor
- One winner per family/per year
Applicable Institutions:
All Universities and Technical Colleges
Questions:
800-234-1960
sve@siouxvalleyenergy.com
The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) manages more than 350 scholarships, connecting students with the generosity of our donors. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and deadline.
To apply, students should visit SDCommunityFoundation.org/Scholarships.
On the SDCF Scholarships tab, they should create a username and password on the For Students link. They will then complete a common application, which identifies the scholarships available for their high school. The system automatically matches students to potential scholarships, and students can review these matches to confirm their eligibility before applying.
Eligibility:
Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and deadline.
Applicable Institutions:
Each scholarship may be applied to various of institutions, including colleges, universities, or technical colleges.
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or
knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org
High school seniors or current college students who are planning to (or are currently) attending a post-secondary institution in South Dakota or North Dakota for an agricultural degree/career path are encouraged to apply for the Agtegra Cooperative Scholarship. The Agtegra Cooperative is awarding ten $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and one $1,000 scholarship to a current college student through this program.
Eligibility:
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Must plan to or attend a 2- or 4-year post-secondary institution in South Dakota or North Dakota
- Must plan to pursue an agricultural degree/program or career field after college graduation
- Must be a U.S. citizen
Field of Study Requirements:
Agricultural degree/program or career field after college graduation
Note: The word “agriculture” does not need to be in their declared major; if the student plans to pursue an ag-related career when they graduate from college, they can still apply! Students should explain their future career plans in the application essay questions.
Applicable Institutions:
All post-secondary institutions in South Dakota and North Dakota
Questions:
Sadie Frey
605-725-8377
sadie.frey@agtegra.com
Annis Fowler began a teaching career in 1927 that spanned nearly 50 years. She obtained her B.A. from Northern Normal School and eventually specialized in teaching students with various learning disabilities. The primary objective of this scholarship is to promote the education of deserving students who enroll on a full-time basis at one of the South Dakota Board of Regents Universities providing teacher education. Special consideration is given to student who demonstrated motivational availability a disability or who are self-supporting.
Eligibility:
- A 3.0 cumulative high school GPA,
- First-time entering freshman at BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU or USD, and
- Intent to major in Elementary Education (or combination of major/minor with Special Education/Elementary Education)
Selection Process:
The Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship applications will be reviewed and scored by the Board of Regents System Scholarship Committee. The following will be required:
- A completed Fowler/Kaden Scholarship application form,
- An original essay on a topic selected by the donors each year,
- Two letters of recommendation, and
- Official high school transcript.
Applicable Institutions:
- BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU or USD
Questions:
The Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship Program is for Native American students provides support for freshman Native American students who are pursuing studies in agribusiness, agricultural production, agricultural sciences, or a natural resources degree at any postsecondary institution.
Eligibility:
- Enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe whose reservation is located in South Dakota or North Dakota
- Resident of South Dakota or North Dakota
- Demonstrated academic achievement
- High school senior planning to earn a degree in agriculture or natural resources or a related field
Applicable Institutions:
- Any SOUTH DAKOTA technical college or university
Questions:
The Premier Equipment CNC Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship available to manufacturing and engineering students (or any student interested in pursuing a career in CNC machining or CNC programming). The Premier Equipment scholarship will help students reach their academic goals and train the next generation of engineers, CNC machinists and CNC programmers.
Eligibility:
The Premier Equipment scholarship is looking to award a student currently in engineering or manufacturing with a $2,000 Scholarship. Application will include a personal essay as to why you deserve this scholarship.
Applicable Institutions:
All Institutions
Questions:
Geroge Jones
407-786-2000
george@premierequipment.com
South Dakota Farmers Union annually gives recognition to young people who commit to a South Dakota college, university or technical institute, and whose parents are current members of Farmers Union.
Farmers Union starts investing in youth at age 5 and that investment is never ending as they progress through their education. We are excited for our youth as they transition into the next chapter and are thankful to continue our support for their future. Three $500 scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students.
Eligibility:
- Current member of South Dakota Farmers Union.
- Senior in high school planning to attend or a current freshman at a SD post-secondary institution.
- Completed application (paper or online submission) must be received by 8 a.m. on November 14, 2025.
- Any late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed
- Applicants can only win once, past winners are not eligible
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
605-554-3022
SBowman@sdfu.org
The Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship, sponsored by Travelers Motor Club, is designed to help retain talent in South Dakota to support South Dakota’s agriculture industry.
Eligibility:
- It is open to students from South Dakota, pursuing a graduate degree in research, animal science, agriculture business or agriculture education at an accredited South Dakota school.
- Eligible graduate students include on-campus and distance education students who are pursuing any master’s or doctoral program, agriculture teacher certification program (CERT/FCSC) or graduate certificate program (GCERT).
Applicable Institutions:
Accredited South Dakota Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
6055543022
SBowman@sdfu.org
The SD Farmers Union “Farming For The Future” media challenge offers a scholarship program for college and high school seniors interested in agriculture, aiming to bridge the gap between farm and fork. Participants will develop communication skills and advocate for South Dakota agriculture by sharing personal experiences or exploring agricultural topics through social media. Over seven weeks, students will network with industry professionals and engage in weekly challenges focused on specific agricultural products or issues, earning mini-scholarships and accumulating points towards larger scholarships. The top five participants will also have the opportunity to attend the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention.
Eligibility:
Must be current college student or high school seniors who is interested in agriculture.
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
605.554.3022
SBowman@sdfu.org
South Dakota Cattlewomen (SDCW) is dedicated to promoting the beef industry in South Dakota. SDCW will award two – $1,000 scholarships to a young person attending or planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the upcoming semester.
This scholarship can be used at any accredited university, 2 year or 4-year college or technical school.
POSTMARK DEADLINE is JULY 1, 2025. Please go to the linked URL for more detailed information on requirements.
Contact Information:
Brenda Dreyer at 605-290-8223 or bdreyer@midco.net
