The Elma and Dolores Haver Scholarship is a full-ride award given annually to one outstanding high school senior enrolling at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
Eligibility:
- Awarded annually to one outstanding high school senior based on academics.
- Students must be a first-time, full-time student enrolling in any major.
- Preference will be given to students from the Irene-Wakonda School District.
- Students must have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, a 22 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent) and demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA application.
- Students will be selected through a competitive interview selection process.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The J&J Sisco Scholarship (Beca J&J Sisco) is a renewable tuition and fees scholarship for incoming students at South Dakota State University (SDSU) who have strong ties to Mexico and its culture.
Eligibility:
- A student or their immediate family member that has lived in Mexico
- A student that has knowledge of the Spanish language
- A student that has knowledge of Mexican culture
- A student demonstrating financial need
- Is an incoming first-time or transfer student.
- First preference shall be given to a first-generation student who meets the above criteria.
- Students will be chosen through a selection process that could include an interview
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Klingbeil Scholarship is a competitive award for outstanding high school seniors planning to major in agriculture-related fields at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
Eligibility:
- Awarded to outstanding high school seniors based on academic and extracurricular activities.
- Students must major in agricultural systems technology, agronomy or precision agriculture.
- Students are chosen through a competitive selection process that could include an interview.
- At a minimum, students selected for consideration must have a 22 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent) or have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Schellpeper Family Scholarship is a progressive, multi-year award for outstanding high school seniors pursuing health science majors at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
Eligibility:
- Awarded to outstanding high school seniors each year based on GPA and extracurricular activities.
- Students must major in a health science career field.
- At a minimum, students selected must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
Award Breakdown
Progressive amount — $2,000 first year, $3,000 second year, $4,000 third year and $5,000 fourth year for a total of $14,000.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Wokini Scholarship at South Dakota State University (SDSU) provides financial support and holistic resources for tribally enrolled Native American students, offering up to $5,000 per year for five years.
Eligibility:
Students who are tribally enrolled in a federally recognized tribe in the United States, including Alaskan Natives, are eligible for the Wokini scholarship.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Hatterscheidt Scholarship is a one-year, $2,500 award for South Dakota high school seniors attending South Dakota State University (SDSU), based on financial need and academic achievement.
Eligibility:
- Must be a South Dakota Resident; graduating from a SD high school or home school.
- Must show financial need and must apply for Federal Student Aid.
- Must have average minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Home school student must have a minimum ACT score of 18 or SAT of 960.
- Must be admitted to South Dakota State University for fall semester following graduation.
- Must plan to be a full time, main campus student planning to take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship provides 25 awards at $10,000 each to be disbursed throughout a student’s collegiate career at South Dakota State University. Like all Horatio Alger Scholarships, the Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship assists high school students who have faced great obstacles in their young lives to overcome their adversities, attend a post-secondary institution and achieve success.
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled full-time as a high school senior in the United States with plans to enter South Dakota State University no later than the fall semester following graduation.
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University.
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required).
- Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities.
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
- Hold a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Smithfield Foods Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship offered at South Dakota State University. The amount is determined by the SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, based on the unmet financial need demonstrated on the FAFSA form, up to $7500. This scholarship is renewable for a total of four years based on FAFSA calculations reviewed annually.
Eligibility:
- Students must be admitted to an undergraduate program at SDSU and be dependent children or grandchildren of current or retired employees of Smithfield Foods.
- Employees must have worked with the company a minimum of 18 months for their child or dependent grandchild to be eligible.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
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
