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
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
The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) manages more than 350 scholarships, connecting students with the generosity of our donors. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and deadline.
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 and deadline.
Applicable Institutions:
Each scholarship may be applied to various of 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
