The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) recognizes outstanding high school student leaders and provides an opportunity to engage with national leaders while earning a college scholarship. Each year, two South Dakota students are selected to participate in this prestigious national program, which includes Washington Week and a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship.
Eligibility:
- Be a current high school junior or senior
- Demonstrate leadership through elected or appointed positions in student government or other approved organizations
- Complete the application process through their high school
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
The scholarship may be used toward undergraduate study at an accredited college or university.
Did You Know?
- Only two students from South Dakota are selected each year.
- Students participate alongside peers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.
- Washington Week is held in Washington, D.C., or virtually, depending on program requirements.
- Applications typically open in late August.
Questions:
Contact your high school counselor or the South Dakota Department of Education for additional information about the application and selection process.
The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship is a scholarship program funded by the state of South Dakota. It was established in 2013 by the SD Legislature. This scholarship was approved to encourage South Dakota’s high school graduates to:
- Obtain their post-secondary education in South Dakota,
- Remain in the state upon completion of their education, and
- Contribute to the state of South Dakota and its citizens by working in a critical need teaching occupation.
Field of Study Requirements:
All K-12 Teaching Positions
Initial Eligibility Requirements:
- Agree in writing to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical teaching need occupation for five years after graduating from a participating post-secondary institution
- Agree, through a promissory note, that failure to abide by the employment requirement above will result in the scholarship being converted into an interest-bearing loan
- Be fully admitted in an elementary or secondary education program at the institution that is preparing you to work in a critical need teaching area
- Attend a participating South Dakota post-secondary institution as an undergraduate enrolled in either your third or fourth year of a traditional four-year program
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Have a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA on 4.0 scale, and an average of 2.8 GPA for all major coursework
Contact Information:
Contact us here: Request Form – Contact Us or email scholarships@sdbor.edu
Build Dakota pays all expenses for students to complete an approved high-need program at one of SD’s four technical colleges. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements to enroll at a South Dakota technical college. This is a work-based scholarship so we are looking for applicants who have explored the career in which they are interested in entering. In return for the full-ride scholarship, our recipients agree to work in South Dakota, in the field paid for by Build Dakota, for 36-months following program completion. High school seniors and non-traditional aged students are all welcome to apply.
Eligibility:
- Eligible majors/fields: Full list of approved programs can be found on the Build Dakota website.
Applicable Institutions:
LATC, MTC, STC, WDTC
Questions:
Deni Martin at 605-347-1804 or deni@builddakotascholarships.com
The Sanford Health Military and Veteran Scholarship is awarded to any veteran, Guard/Reserve, or active-duty military service member who has demonstrated exceptional character and leadership in furthering their own progress and in enriching the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement. This scholarship opens September 20, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Veteran, Guard/Reserve, and active-duty military service members.
- Pursuing a degree as a full-time student (Full-time as determined by your institution and program of study):
- Undergraduate bachelor’s degree
- Graduate or professional degree
- Community College/Vocational
- Attend a public or private, US-based accredited institution of higher education
- Applicants must obtain degree within 6 months to three (3) years from date of initial scholarship award (April 2027).
Applicable Institutions:
ANY accredited U.S. institution
Questions:
Jolie Hauck at 605-312-7471 or educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org
