The Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship Program is for Native American students provides support for freshman Native American students who are pursuing studies in agribusiness, agricultural production, agricultural sciences, or a natural resources degree at any postsecondary institution.
Eligibility:
- Enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe whose reservation is located in South Dakota or North Dakota
- Resident of South Dakota or North Dakota
- Demonstrated academic achievement
- High school senior planning to earn a degree in agriculture or natural resources or a related field
Applicable Institutions:
- Any SOUTH DAKOTA technical college or university
Questions:
The South Dakota Engineering Society – Eastern Chapter offers $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors pursuing engineering degrees at South Dakota State University or SD Mines. Applications are due by January 16, 2026. Recipients are presented with an award at the Chapter’s Engineering Banquet in February.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must attend a high school within the counties of the Eastern Chapter area. (Eastern Chapter area as found at www.sdes.org.)
- Must plan to attend South Dakota State University or South Dakota Mines in Fall 2026.
- Intended major must be in engineering.
- Must demonstrate the ability to handle responsibility, leadership skills, and academic achievement.
Field of Study Requirements:
Chemical/Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Geological Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Metallurgical Engineering
Mining Engineering, etc.
Applicable Institutions:
SD Mines
South Dakota State University
Questions:
Zach Severson
605-838-6489
zach.severson@dgr.com
The Spaans Legacy Scholarship at Mitchell Technical College is awarded to students within the Animal Science, Ag Business, and Agronomy programs.
Eligibility:
- Must be an Incoming Student
- Must be enrolled full time in Animal Science, Ag Business or Agronomy
- Must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher
- Must complete the online MTC scholarship application
Applicable Institutions:
MTC
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
The Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship provides 25 awards at $10,000 each to be disbursed throughout a student’s collegiate career. Like all Horatio Alger Scholarships, the Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship assists high school students who have faced great obstacles in their young lives to overcome their adversities, attend a post-secondary institution and achieve success.
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled full-time as a high school senior in the United States with plans to enter South Dakota State University no later than the fall semester following graduation.
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University.
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required).
- Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities.
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
- Hold a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship, sponsored by Travelers Motor Club, is designed to help retain talent in South Dakota to support South Dakota’s agriculture industry.
Eligibility:
- It is open to students from South Dakota, pursuing a graduate degree in research, animal science, agriculture business or agriculture education at an accredited South Dakota school.
- Eligible graduate students include on-campus and distance education students who are pursuing any master’s or doctoral program, agriculture teacher certification program (CERT/FCSC) or graduate certificate program (GCERT).
Applicable Institutions:
Accredited South Dakota Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
6055543022
SBowman@sdfu.org
The SD Farmers Union “Farming For The Future” media challenge offers a scholarship program for college and high school seniors interested in agriculture, aiming to bridge the gap between farm and fork. Participants will develop communication skills and advocate for South Dakota agriculture by sharing personal experiences or exploring agricultural topics through social media. Over seven weeks, students will network with industry professionals and engage in weekly challenges focused on specific agricultural products or issues, earning mini-scholarships and accumulating points towards larger scholarships. The top five participants will also have the opportunity to attend the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention.
Eligibility:
Must be current college student or high school seniors who is interested in agriculture.
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
605.554.3022
SBowman@sdfu.org
The MTC Alumni Legacy Scholarship is designed to benefit the children, grandchildren and siblings of MTC’s alumni.
Eligibility:
An incoming student whose parent, grandparent, step-parent, brother or sister graduated from MTC is eligible to receive this scholarship.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
The generous faculty and staff of Mitchell Technical College contribute to the MTC Foundation to provide these scholarships to MTC students.
Eligibility:
These scholarships are awarded to full-time incoming students each year.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
The Nordby Scholarship for Academic Excellence is a $5,000 merit-based award given annually to two students attending Mitchell Technical College in South Dakota. It recognizes outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement.
Eligibility:
- Welding, Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Registered Nursing (LPN to RN)
- Applicants must demonstrate academic and extra-curricular involvement worthy of MTC’s highest scholarship award.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
South Dakota Cattlewomen (SDCW) is dedicated to promoting the beef industry in South Dakota. SDCW will award two – $1,000 scholarships to a young person attending or planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the upcoming semester.
This scholarship can be used at any accredited university, 2 year or 4-year college or technical school.
POSTMARK DEADLINE is JULY 1, 2025. Please go to the linked URL for more detailed information on requirements.
Contact Information:
Brenda Dreyer at 605-290-8223 or bdreyer@midco.net
