The Scholarship Committee of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of South Dakota is proud to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 scholarship cycle. This year, the Grand Lodge will award ten $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. These awards are designed to support students planning to attend a public or private college, university, or technical school. While all eligible seniors are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to students attending an institution within the state of South Dakota. In a commitment to long-term academic success, these scholarships are awarded for one year but may be reapplied for annually for a maximum of five years, provided the student remains in good standing.
Interested students can find the application materials on the Grand Lodge website at https://sdgrandlodge.org/ under the “Programs” tab by selecting “Scholarships.” Completed applications should be returned via email to: office@sdgrandlodge.org.
Eligibility:
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Strong scholastic capability.
- A personal or family connection to a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Applicable Institutions:
Any public or private college, university, or technical school (preference will be given to students attending an institution within South Dakota)
Questions:
Derek Runge, Scholarship Committee Liaison, at derek.runge@sdgrandlodge.org
The South Dakota Telecommunications Association (SDTA) offers this statewide scholarship to South Dakota students who have been accepted into an accredited post-secondary institution in South Dakota. Applicants must intend on majoring in a degree/program or field of study that is useful in the telecommunications or broadband industry, or which significantly relies on the use of broadband services and related technologies. The applicant or his/her parent(s) or legal guardian must be a member or customer of an SDTA member company.
Eligibility:
- Must have a high school diploma, GED equivalent or will have it by graduation in 2026
- Must be accepted into or attending a multi-year program degree at any accredited technical college or other accredited post-secondary higher education institution in South Dakota for the fall 2026 semester
- Must be majoring in a degree/program or field of study that is useful in the telecommunications or broadband industry or which significantly relies on the use of broadband services and related technologies
- Must be a customer/member or have a parent or legal guardian that is a customer/member of a SDTA member company
- Previous SDTA Memorial Scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply
- Must provide two letters of recommendation
- Must provide an unofficial transcript
Required Field of Study:
Degree/program or field of study that is useful in the telecommunications or broadband industry, or which significantly relies on the use of broadband services and related technologies*
*Examples of eligible majors or fields of study for the SDTA Memorial Scholarship include, but are not limited to: Telecommunications; WiFi and Broadband Technologies; Information Systems Technology; Satellite Communications; Health Information Technology; Office Technology Specialist; Programming Specialist; Network Specialist; Engineering (Computer Science or Systems, Electrical, CAD, Software, Industrial, Communications Systems, Network Security); Technologies or Computers (Communications Systems Engineering Technologies, Computer Programming, Computer Software Specialist, Computer Systems or Software, Computer Applications, Utilities Technologies, Network Technician, Internet Apps Developer, Laser/Electro-Optics, Marketing, Network Administration, System Administrator); Technology Education; and Communication Arts (Graphic Design or Mass Communications, Commercial Arts, Multimedia/Web Development.)
Applicable Institutions:
Accredited post-secondary institution in South Dakota
Questions:
Kara Semmler at 605-212-1442 or karasemmler@sdtaonline.com
The South Dakota Association of Towns & Townships (SDATAT) is offering one $1,500, one $1,000 and one $500 scholarship to three senior high school students who reside in South Dakota, are currently attending a South Dakota public, private, parochial high school or a home school program, and live in a town or township that is a current member of SDATAT. (A membership list is available on the sdtownships.com website) or contact your local town/township board. Graduates of the class of 2026 are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The student must use the scholarship for a college, university, or vocational school which has a physical presence in South Dakota.
Eligibility:
- Must be a high school senior attending a South Dakota public, private, parochial high school or a home school program
- Must be a child of a member of the South Dakota Assn. Of Towns and Townships
- Must reside in a small town (population under 5000) or townships in South Dakota
Applicable Institutions:
Any South Dakota College or University
Questions:
Susan Walton at sdstaff@sdtownships.com
Foundation 649 is a 501c3 that discovers and empowers young, talented Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are actively elevating and serving their communities across the country. The F649 Scholarship is a grant of $4,000 over the course of 4 years that can be applied to college tuition and expenses. To maintain eligibility each year, there will be a brief check-in and renewal process at the end of each school year.
Eligibility:
- Be a degree-seeking, full-time student enrolling in a U.S. accredited university in Fall 2026 as a Freshman or transferring from a community college
- Identify as Asian American / Pacific Islander
- Have a track record of involvement and interest in AAPI communities, issues, or causes
- Have demonstrated financial need for the scholarship
- Be a US citizen, resident, or foreign national. Undocumented students are also welcome to apply.
Applicable Institutions:
Any U.S. accredited university
Questions:
Katelyn Monaco at (253) 365-8701 or katelyn@foundation649.com
FirstLine Funding Group, a division of First Bank & Trust, will annually award scholarships to students attending accredited colleges, universities, or technical schools in the fall. Scholarships will be awarded at $1,000 each, and the number of scholarships awarded will vary.
Eligibility:
- Be a high school senior at Madison High School or full-time undergraduate student attending Dakota State University, both located in Madison, SD.
- Have not previously received a FirstLine Funding Group scholarship.
- Employees and members of the Board of Directors or Advisory Board of Directors of First Bank & Trust, its affiliates, and the immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings, and children, and each of their respective spouses regardless of where they live) and persons living in the households of each of these individuals, whether related or not, are not eligible.
Applicable Institutions:
Any Accredited College, University or Technical College
Questions:
Lori Gustaf at 605-427-4535 or scholarships@bankeasy.com
First Bank & Trust will annually award scholarships to students attending accredited colleges, universities, or technical schools in the fall 2026. Scholarships will be awarded at $1,000 each, and the number of scholarships awarded will vary by location.
Eligibility:
- Be a First Bank & Trust checking and/or savings account holder (account must be opened before the application deadline).
- Be enrolled full-time and attending an accredited post-secondary institution for the fall 2026 semester.
- Have not previously received a First Bank & Trust scholarship.
- Employees and members of the Board of Directors or Advisory Board of Directors of First Bank & Trust, its affiliates, and the immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings, and children, and each of their respective spouses regardless of where they live) and persons living in the households of each of these individuals, whether related or not, are not eligible
Applicable Institutions:
Any Accredited Post-Secondary Institution
Questions:
Scholarship Selection Committee at 800-843-1552 or scholarships@bankeasy.com
Dacotah Bank is proud to continue their scholarship program. Dacotah Bank offers a top scholarship award of $10,000 for one high school graduate. Dacotah Bank also offers twenty-nine $2,000 individual scholarships to be awarded in different market areas across Dacotah Bank’s diverse, three state territory. Judging criteria is outlined in the application.
Dacotah Bank has been happy to help youth in the communities they serve move on to secondary schools in their territory. To be eligible, high school seniors must be attending a higher education institute in South Dakota, North Dakota or Minnesota, and the applicant or immediate family member must have an account with Dacotah Bank.
Eligibility:
- High School Senior who will attend a higher education institution in North Dakota, South Dakota or Minnesota.
- Applicants must be high‑school seniors in ND, SD, or MN with an established Dacotah Bank relationship.
- Children of employees are ineligible for competitive awards but receive $500 with a full application and 3.0 GPA.
Applicable Institutions:
Any Higher Education Institute in South Dakota, North Dakota, or Minnesota
Questions:
Brittney Paulson at 605-226-5391 or Brittney.Paulson@dacotahbank.com
Each BankWest Scholarship has a $2,000 value and may be used to fund tuition at any accredited, post-secondary educational institution. The application process considers involvement in community activities, personal character, and academic integrity.
Eligibility:
- Must be a BankWest deposit account holder for a minimum of six months preceding the application deadline.
- Must be a United States citizen.
- Must be a high school senior or full-time undergraduate student currently attending an accredited post-high school educational institution.
- Must not have previously received a BankWest scholarship
Applicable Institutions:
All Accredited, Post-Secondary Educational Institutions
Questions:
Dinah Vasquez at 800-253-0362 or info@bankwest-sd.bank
The Folds of Honor Scholarship provides educational assistance to the families of those who have made extraordinary sacrifices for our country and communities. Administered by the nonprofit organization Folds of Honor, the scholarship helps offset the cost of education for eligible students pursuing K–12 private education, college degrees, technical or trade programs, and other approved postsecondary pathways. The program honors service and sacrifice by supporting educational opportunity.
Eligibility:
- Must be a spouse or dependent child of:
- A U.S. military service member who has been killed or permanently disabled while serving in the line of duty, or
- A first responder (including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics) who has been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Applicable Institutions:
All Accredited Colleges and Universities
Questions:
Folds Of Honor – South Dakota Chapter
Don Zwart at 605-321-7001 or donald.zwart060@gmail.com
The South Dakota Retailers Association scholarship program provides assistance to students studying for a career in retail and hospitality businesses, whether as an owner, manager, or employee. In 2025, their Scholarship Committee awarded funds to five students, in amounts ranging from $2,750 to $3,700.
Field of Study Requirements:
- Hospitality
- Business*
- Trades
*We consider a broad range of business programs eligible for the scholarship including agribusiness, auto mechanics, business administration, computer science, culinary arts, heating/ventilation, hotel/restaurant management, pharmacy, tourism industry management, and more.
Applicable Institutions:
All South Dakota Colleges and Universities
Eligibility:
- Applicant must desire a career in a retail or retail-related field, including hospitality and trade businesses.
- Applicant must enroll in a retail-related course of study at a qualifying, accredited technical school, college, university, or certified professional training institute in the fall of 2026. Enrollment in an online degree program from a qualifying school is acceptable.
- Examples of fields of study considered to be retail-related include (but are not limited to): Accounting, Agribusiness, Apparel Merchandising, Auto Mechanics, Automotive Technology, Business Administration, Business Management, Collision Repair, Computer Science, Commercial Baking, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Diesel Mechanics, Electrical Maintenance, Entrepreneurial Studies, Gemology, HVAC, Hotel/Restaurant Management, Landscape Design, Pharmacy, Photography, Printing Industries, Refrigeration, Sales/Marketing Management, and Tourism Industry Management. (NOTE: this list is not all-inclusive.)
- South Dakota Education – applicant must meet one of these three requirements
- Graduated from a South Dakota high school – OR –
- Have earned high school equivalency (such as a GED) in South Dakota – OR –
- Plan to attend post-secondary school in South Dakota
- Applicant must meet one of these four requirements:
- have completed at least 24 credits from a qualifying college or university by September 2026
- have completed 12 credits from a qualifying tech school or certified professional training institute by September of 2026
- have successfully completed ProStart Levels 1 and 2 (high school culinary arts program)
- non-traditional student who has full-time work experience after high school
- Students must enroll in 12 or more credit hours of classes at a qualifying post-secondary school or online degree program for the fall of 2026. (Internships do not qualify)
- Prior recipients are eligible
Questions:
Brooke Bohnenkamp at 605-224-5050 or bbohnenkamp@sdra.org
