The South Dakota Farmers Union Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship supports students pursuing graduate education in agriculture-related fields. Recipients are selected based on career goals, leadership and community involvement, and financial need.
Eligibility:
- Be a continuing full-time graduate student pursuing a first graduate degree or eligible graduate credential
- Pursue study in an agriculture-related field, such as research, animal science, agribusiness, or agricultural education
- Demonstrate a passion for food, agriculture, or natural resources and an intention to pursue a career in one of these fields
- Demonstrate a strong interest in working in South Dakota after completing the program
- Demonstrate financial need
- Preference is given to students from South Dakota who have or have had an affiliation with Farmers Union
Eligible programs include master’s and doctoral programs, agriculture teacher certification programs, and graduate certificate programs. On-campus and distance education students may apply.
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota colleges and universities offering eligible graduate programs
Questions:
Ashley Stegeman at 605-554-3022 or astegeman@sdfu.org
The South Dakota Farmers Union Farming for the Future scholarship program is a social media challenge for high school seniors and college students interested in agriculture. Participants share personal experiences or explore agricultural topics through social media while building communication skills and advocating for South Dakota agriculture.
Eligibility:
- Be a South Dakota high school senior or current college student
- Have an interest in agriculture
- Participate in weekly social media posts, challenges, activities, and webinars focused on agricultural production, processes, and issues
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota universities and technical colleges
Award Information:
Participants can earn weekly mini-scholarships and points toward larger scholarships.
- 1st Place: $3,000
- 2nd Place: $2,000
- 3rd Place: $1,500
- 4th Place: $1,000
- 5th Place: $500
- Weekly Mini-Scholarships: $100 for six weeks
The top five participants will also be invited to attend the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention.
Questions:
Ashley Stegeman at 605-554-3022 or astegeman@sdfu.org
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
The Dakota Corps Scholarship was created to keep young people in South Dakota by giving students financial access to outstanding postsecondary education and encouraging them to remain in South Dakota post-graduation.
Among other requirements – Eligible students must have a 27 ACT and plan to pursue one of the established critical need areas.
Eligible Students can apply using the SD Board of Regents online Scholarship Portal.
Eligibility:
- Scholarship requires minimum ACT score of 27 and minimum high school GPA of 2.80 to qualify
- Eligible majors/fields: Select teacher majors, registered nurse, accountant/auditor, information technology, and select engineering
Applicable Institutions:
Any SOUTH DAKOTA technical college or university
Questions:
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
