The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation administers more than 70 competitive scholarships each year to help students pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for students preparing to graduate from high school, current undergraduate students, and graduate students pursuing additional education.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2027
Applications Open: December 15, 2026
Eligibility:
- Open to students statewide
- High school seniors, current college students, and graduate students may apply
- No specified major or field of study
- No minimum GPA or standardized test score requirement
- Individual scholarship criteria may vary
Applicable Institutions:
All schools / not specified
Questions?
Janie Weyh
Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
605-336-7055
jweyh@sfacf.org
The Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Marlin R. Scarborough, former President of the South Dakota Board of Regents and a dedicated advocate for higher education, agriculture, leadership, and public service. Established in 1997, the scholarship recognizes outstanding South Dakota public university students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to their future career and educational goals.
Eligibility:
- Attend a South Dakota public university
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application
- Have junior standing at the time funding is awarded
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota’s six public universities:
- Black Hills State University
- Dakota State University
- Northern State University
- South Dakota Mines
- South Dakota State University
- University of South Dakota
Questions:
BOR Scholarship Office
Contact Us
Sanford Health created the Equity in Education Scholarship to support underrepresented and traditionally underserved students pursuing higher education. This one-time scholarship awards $5,000 to students who demonstrate strong character, leadership, academic achievement, service, and community impact. Sanford Health employees and community members are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Be enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university
- Be pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree
- Have at least one year of study remaining
- Open to current college students
- First-generation Americans, first-generation college students, and non-traditional students (age 25+) are encouraged to apply
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
Any accredited U.S. technical college, college, or university, including South Dakota and out-of-state institutions
Questions:
Jolie Hauck at 605-312-7471 or educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org
The Helen Jacobson Cafourek Scholarship was established to support students pursuing nursing careers in South Dakota. In honor of Helen’s legacy, preference is given to single parents, individuals experiencing financial hardship, and those who demonstrate her passion for nursing and family. Ten scholarships of $5,000 are awarded annually and are renewable through degree completion, provided recipients remain enrolled and continue making satisfactory progress in their program.
Eligibility:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Be enrolled in and actively progressing toward an undergraduate nursing degree program in South Dakota
- Be pursuing a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) or Registered Nursing (RN) degree
- Be a current college student
- Demonstrate financial need
- Preference is given to:
- Single parents
- Students experiencing financial hardship
- Individuals who embody Helen Jacobson Cafourek’s commitment to nursing and family
Field of Study Requirements:
- Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
- Nursing (RN)
Applicable Institutions:
Any South Dakota technical college, college, or university offering eligible nursing programs
Questions:
Jolie Hauck at 605-312-7471 or educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org
The Sanford Health Lakota Nation Scholarship supports students dedicated to serving Native American communities by reducing financial barriers to education and fostering academic success. The scholarship encourages future healthcare professionals to provide culturally responsive care and make a positive impact in Tribal Nations. This scholarship opens October 2, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be accepted to or enrolled full-time in a health care degree program at an accredited U.S. institution and have at least one semester remaining when applications close in February.
Applicable Institutions:
ANY accredited U.S. institution
Questions:
Jolie Hauck at 605-312-7471 or educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org
1st Financial Bank USA (1FBUSA) created the Financial Goals Scholarship program to celebrate those who recognize the importance of pursuing educational and financial goals. A $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a new winner each month. To enter, students must submit an essay about a personal finance topic in 500 words. Full rules and eligibility can be found at 1fbusascholarship.com.
Eligibility:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a college degree program
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
Any College or University
Questions:
Scholarship Committee at (712) 251-2030 or scholarship@1fbusa.com
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) manages a wide variety of scholarships, connecting students to opportunities made possible through the generosity of our donors.
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.
Applicable Institutions:
Each scholarship may be applied to various institutions, including colleges, universities, or technical colleges.
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or
knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org
The Richard Hagen Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship supports enrolled members of American Indian tribes pursuing higher education in South Dakota. Scholarship recipients may receive up to $6,000 over four years, with funding continuing annually based on eligibility requirements. The Hagen Harvey Scholarship Board determines the number of scholarships awarded each year.
Eligibility:
- Graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school
- Apply within five years of high school graduation or within one year of release from active military duty (if released within five years of high school graduation)
- Be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
- Enroll full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 throughout the scholarship period
- Attend a public or non-public accredited university, college, or technical institute located in South Dakota
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
Public or non-public accredited universities, colleges, and technical institutes located in South Dakota
Questions:
Melissa Bothun at 605-295-0433 or
Melissa.Bothun@state.sd.us
South Dakota Farmers Union awards scholarships to students who plan to continue their education at a South Dakota college, university, or technical college. The scholarship recognizes academic achievement, community involvement, and students pursuing fields that support agriculture or rural communities.
Eligibility:
- Be a current high school senior or college student
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Have a parent or guardian who is a current South Dakota Farmers Union member
- Plan to attend a South Dakota university or technical college
Field of Study Requirements:
Applicants are not limited to agribusiness, farm operations, or production agriculture, but their field of study should relate to or benefit rural America.
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota universities and technical colleges
Questions:
Ashley Stegeman at 605-554-3022 or astegeman@sdfu.org
The South Dakota Farmers Union Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship supports students pursuing graduate education in agriculture-related fields. Recipients are selected based on career goals, leadership and community involvement, and financial need.
Eligibility:
- Be a continuing full-time graduate student pursuing a first graduate degree or eligible graduate credential
- Pursue study in an agriculture-related field, such as research, animal science, agribusiness, or agricultural education
- Demonstrate a passion for food, agriculture, or natural resources and an intention to pursue a career in one of these fields
- Demonstrate a strong interest in working in South Dakota after completing the program
- Demonstrate financial need
- Preference is given to students from South Dakota who have or have had an affiliation with Farmers Union
Eligible programs include master’s and doctoral programs, agriculture teacher certification programs, and graduate certificate programs. On-campus and distance education students may apply.
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota colleges and universities offering eligible graduate programs
Questions:
Ashley Stegeman at 605-554-3022 or astegeman@sdfu.org
