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 $3,500 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. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD are automatically considered.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be first-time freshman students. Scholarship requires minimum high school GPA of 3.00 to qualify.
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Connor Peterson at 605-658-3208 or Connor.Peterson@usd.edu.
Our goal is to help as many college students with Down syndrome as we possibly can to go for their dreams of higher education and independence!
Awarded $1000-$10,000Students must be at least 18 years old and have the desire and intent to enroll or continue in a post-secondary class or program that will enhance their life through employment skills, independent living or life skills, or interests in any other areas. Students must provide copies of high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., certificate of completion), high school transcript if graduating in the spring of this year, or proof of acceptance to or current enrollment in a post-secondary program. Individuals who have previously been awarded a Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship can apply for another scholarship as soon as the following year.
Applicable Institutions:
ANY technical college or university
Questions:
Liz Plachta at (512) 879-7801 or Liz@rubysrainbow.org.
Scholarship is possible through a grant by the John T. Vucurevich Foundation to help students in their academic path to a living wage. Scholarships are for students enrolled in degree programs at Western Dakota Tech pursuing their career goals.
Eligibility:
Scholarship requires minimum high school and/or college GPA of 2.00 to qualify. Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.
Applicable Institutions:
Western Dakota Technical College
Questions:
Western Dakota Technical College Scholarships Office at 605-718-3061 or WDTScholarship@wdt.edu.
Needs based scholarship is possible through a grant by the South Dakota Education Access Foundation to expand access to postsecondary education. Scholarships are for students pursuing any degree program of study at Western Dakota Tech. Use Western Dakota Technical College’s Universal Scholarship Application to apply.
Eligibility:
Scholarship requires minimum high school and/or college GPA of 2.00 to qualify. Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.
Applicable Institutions:
Western Dakota Technical College
Questions:
Western Dakota Technical College Scholarships Office at 605-718-3061 or WDTScholarship@wdt.edu.
To provide financial support to students attending a college or university in South Dakota, who is pursuing a career in one of the following areas: Environmental Science, Environmental Geography, Environmental Sociology, Natural Resource Management, or Environmental Law.
Eligibility:
Eligible majors/fields: Environmental Science, Environmental Geography, Environmental Sociology, Natural Resource Management, or Environmental Law
Applicable Institutions:
Any SOUTH DAKOTA technical college or university
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org.
This scholarship supports students whose family was impacted by a serious or fatal work injury. If your family was impacted by an injury at work or on the farm, please apply. The award amount listed is an estimate and depends on circumstances and financial need.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have family impacted by a serious or fatal work injury. Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.
Applicable Institutions:
ANY technical college or university
Questions:
Dan Nelson at 605-280-2702 or dan_nelson@ncci.com.
The Freedom Scholarship offers a statewide opportunity for students to help pay for college, as they help build South Dakota’s workforce. By demonstrating financial need and meeting scholarship requirements, students who plan to learn, live and work in South Dakota can use the scholarship toward any bachelor’s degree. To be considered for the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship, you need to apply for admission and be accepted at a participating South Dakota institution and complete the FAFSA. Students can reach out to their desired school to find out more eligibility requirements and application information and if funds remain. Students must commit in writing to living and working in South Dakota for at least three years after graduation and agree that any failure to meet the scholarship requirements will result in the scholarship being converted to a 4% fixed interest loan.
Eligibility:
Scholarship selection is based on financial need.
Applicable Institutions:
BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSMT, SDSU, USD, Private SD School
Questions:
Elli Haerter at 605-846-6976 or ehaerter@sdcommunityfoundation.org.
This scholarship is for a student pursuing a dental assisting degree at Lake Area Technical College.
Eligibility:
Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.
Eligible majors/fields: Dental Assisting
Applicable Institutions:
Lake Area Technical College
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org.
The Gene Abdallah Scholarship is for a graduate of a South Dakota high school pursuing a career in law enforcement.
Eligibility:
Scholarship requires minimum high school GPA of 3.00 to qualify.
Eligible majors/fields: Law Enforcement
Applicable Institutions:
ANY technical college or university
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org.
The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship is open to upcoming Juniors and Seniors in college who are pursuing a degree in specific education fields. The scholarship encourages South Dakota students to obtain their post-secondary education in South Dakota for teaching in certain critical teaching occupations. Awardees must agree in writing to remain in the state upon completion of their education to contribute to the state and its citizens by working in an eligible critical need teaching occupation – failure to do so will result in scholarship funding converting to a low interest loan that must be repaid. Eligible students can apply using the SD Board of Regents Scholarship Application Portal. Scholarships tentatively open February 2024.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be upcoming Juniors and Seniors in college. Eligible majors/fields: Certain Teaching Occupations.
Applicable Institutions:
BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU, USD, Private SD School
Questions:
