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 purpose of the Alumni Association of Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing Scholarship is to promote nursing as a profession and provide financial support to students pursuing nursing careers. This scholarship opens September 20, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Scholarships are available to junior or senior nursing students enrolled in bachelor’s nursing program or students pursuing a master’s degree in nursing.
- The nursing program, in which the applicant is enrolled, must be nationally accredited—such as the National League of Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Priority will be given to:
- Applicants who do not hold an RN license
- Alumni children/grandchildren pursuing a degree in nursing
- Sanford Health employees enrolled in nursing.
- Students who are members of the armed forces or who are a veteran
Applicable Institutions:
ANY accredited U.S. institution
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
The Smithfield Foods Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship offered at the University of South Dakota. Scholarship amounts are needs based, and determined by the USD Financial Aid Office, based on the unmet financial need, up to $7,500.
Eligibility:
- Students must be admitted to an undergraduate program at USD
- Be children or dependent grandchildren of current or retired Smithfield Foods Employees
- Employees must have worked with the company a minimum of 18 months for their child or dependent grandchild to be eligible
- Must show financial need and must apply for federal student aid (complete the FAFSA)
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
The Hatterscheidt Scholarship is one-year $2,500 award for South Dakota high school seniors attending the University of South Dakota, based on financial need and academic achievement.
Eligibility:
- Must be a South Dakota resident and be graduating from a South Dakota high school or home school.
- Must show financial need and must apply for federal student aid (complete the FAFSA).
- 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 the University of South Dakota 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:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
At USD, you can benefit from the Coyote Beginnings program. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD are automatically considered for up to $4,000 per year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA, standardized test scores and committee review.
Students at USD – Sioux Falls can now benefit from the Coyote Beginnings program. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD – Sioux Falls are automatically considered for up to $2,000 per year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA and committee review.
The Coyote Beginnings may include a combination of funding from other scholarships or additional sources awarded to you. To receive full consideration, apply to the University of South Dakota by April 1. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed for any remaining funds, if available. No separate application is required for this award—your eligibility will be automatically assessed based on your admissions application.
Eligibility:
- Be admitted to the University of South Dakota as a first-time, degree-seeking freshman
- Graduate from high school (or equivalent) prior to enrollment
- Enroll full time at USD (typically defined as 12 or more credit hours per semester)
- Submit a completed USD admission application (full consideration if application is submitted by April 1)
- No separate scholarship application is required
- Meet academic criteria used for award determination, which may include:
- High school GPA
- ACT or SAT scores (if submitted)
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
