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 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
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) manages a wide variety of scholarships, connecting students to opportunities made possible through the generosity of our donors.
To apply, students should visit SDCommunityFoundation.org/Scholarships.
On the SDCF Scholarships tab, they should create a username and password on the For Students link. They will then complete a common application, which identifies the scholarships available for their high school. The system automatically matches students to potential scholarships, and students can review these matches to confirm their eligibility before applying.
Eligibility:
Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria.
Applicable Institutions:
Each scholarship may be applied to various institutions, including colleges, universities, or technical colleges.
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or
knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org
The Richard Hagen Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship supports enrolled members of American Indian tribes pursuing higher education in South Dakota. Scholarship recipients may receive up to $6,000 over four years, with funding continuing annually based on eligibility requirements. The Hagen Harvey Scholarship Board determines the number of scholarships awarded each year.
Eligibility:
- Graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school
- Apply within five years of high school graduation or within one year of release from active military duty (if released within five years of high school graduation)
- Be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
- Enroll full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 throughout the scholarship period
- Attend a public or non-public accredited university, college, or technical institute located in South Dakota
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
Public or non-public accredited universities, colleges, and technical institutes located in South Dakota
Questions:
Melissa Bothun at 605-295-0433 or
Melissa.Bothun@state.sd.us
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
Students graduating from a public high school in 3 years or less are eligible for a one time scholarship of $1500 to be distributed equally across both the Fall and Spring semesters during their first year of post-secondary enrollment. Eligible students can apply using the SD Board of Regents Online Scholarship Portal.
Eligibility:
- Be a resident of South Dakota;
- Complete the requirements of the recommended high school program as established by the Board of Education pursuant to §13-1-12.1, and be awarded a high school diploma by a public high school in three years or less;
- Have attended a public high school in South Dakota on a full-time basis for at least two semesters prior to graduating; and
- Within one year of graduating from high school, excluding any time served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, enroll in a college, university, or technical school accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools that provides instruction from a campus located in South Dakota.
Applicable Institutions:
- Any SOUTH DAKOTA technical college or university
Questions:
