South Dakota Farm Bureau is dedicated to agriculture in our state. This scholarship is to celebrate youth that have a passion for agriculture and their rural communities. We want to award scholarships to youth who are planning on returning to rural communities to work. Applicants can choose to be considered for an agriculture-focus or community-focus scholarship, depending on their major and/or experience with agriculture.
Eligibility:
- Applicant, applicant’s parents or guardians must be a current member of South Dakota Farm Bureau and must have been a member for 2 years.
- Scholarship applicants are not allowed to receive this scholarship award more than once.
- Must be accepted by an accredited school of higher learning and planning to study a minimum of one year as a full-time student.
- Must be 17 years of age or older, a high school graduate or a college freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. If still in high school, must have an expected graduation date of Spring 2026.
- Applications from high school seniors must include a copy of most recent ACT score or Accuplacer score.
- All applicants must include current transcript with grade point average.
- Graduate students are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Scholarship is applied toward tuition fees only and will be awarded after the first semester.
Applicable Institutions:
Any accredited school of higher learning
Questions:
Heather Lentz at 605-353-8054 or heather@sdfbf.org
The Scholarship Committee of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of South Dakota is proud to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 scholarship cycle. This year, the Grand Lodge will award ten $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. These awards are designed to support students planning to attend a public or private college, university, or technical school. While all eligible seniors are encouraged to apply, preference will be given to students attending an institution within the state of South Dakota. In a commitment to long-term academic success, these scholarships are awarded for one year but may be reapplied for annually for a maximum of five years, provided the student remains in good standing.
Interested students can find the application materials on the Grand Lodge website at https://sdgrandlodge.org/ under the “Programs” tab by selecting “Scholarships.” Completed applications should be returned via email to: office@sdgrandlodge.org.
Eligibility:
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Strong scholastic capability.
- A personal or family connection to a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Applicable Institutions:
Any public or private college, university, or technical school (preference will be given to students attending an institution within South Dakota)
Questions:
Derek Runge, Scholarship Committee Liaison, at derek.runge@sdgrandlodge.org
The South Dakota Telecommunications Association (SDTA) offers this statewide scholarship to South Dakota students who have been accepted into an accredited post-secondary institution in South Dakota. Applicants must intend on majoring in a degree/program or field of study that is useful in the telecommunications or broadband industry, or which significantly relies on the use of broadband services and related technologies. The applicant or his/her parent(s) or legal guardian must be a member or customer of an SDTA member company.
Eligibility:
- Must have a high school diploma, GED equivalent or will have it by graduation in 2026
- Must be accepted into or attending a multi-year program degree at any accredited technical college or other accredited post-secondary higher education institution in South Dakota for the fall 2026 semester
- Must be majoring in a degree/program or field of study that is useful in the telecommunications or broadband industry or which significantly relies on the use of broadband services and related technologies
- Must be a customer/member or have a parent or legal guardian that is a customer/member of a SDTA member company
- Previous SDTA Memorial Scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply
- Must provide two letters of recommendation
- Must provide an unofficial transcript
Required Field of Study:
Degree/program or field of study that is useful in the telecommunications or broadband industry, or which significantly relies on the use of broadband services and related technologies*
*Examples of eligible majors or fields of study for the SDTA Memorial Scholarship include, but are not limited to: Telecommunications; WiFi and Broadband Technologies; Information Systems Technology; Satellite Communications; Health Information Technology; Office Technology Specialist; Programming Specialist; Network Specialist; Engineering (Computer Science or Systems, Electrical, CAD, Software, Industrial, Communications Systems, Network Security); Technologies or Computers (Communications Systems Engineering Technologies, Computer Programming, Computer Software Specialist, Computer Systems or Software, Computer Applications, Utilities Technologies, Network Technician, Internet Apps Developer, Laser/Electro-Optics, Marketing, Network Administration, System Administrator); Technology Education; and Communication Arts (Graphic Design or Mass Communications, Commercial Arts, Multimedia/Web Development.)
Applicable Institutions:
Accredited post-secondary institution in South Dakota
Questions:
Kara Semmler at 605-212-1442 or karasemmler@sdtaonline.com
The Smithfield Foods Scholarship program is for the children and dependent grandchildren of full-time and retired employees. Scholarship amounts are need based and determined by the University of South Dakota Financial Aid Office, based on the unmet financial need. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA, be enrolled full-time, complete the FAFSA, and submit a thank you letter.
Eligibility:
- Must be children and dependent grandchildren of full-time and retired employees of Smithfield Foods
- Must maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college
- Must be enrolled at the University of South Dakota full-time
- Must complete the FAFSA
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
The Hatterscheidt Scholarship is $2,500 for the freshman year and recipients must be residents of South Dakota (graduate from a South Dakota high school), have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and show financial need through completing the FAFSA.
Eligibility:
Must be a South Dakota resident and be graduating from a South Dakota high school or home school.
Must show financial need and must apply for federal student aid.
Must have average minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Home school student must have a minimum ACT score of 18 or SAT of 960.
Must be admitted to South Dakota State University for fall semester following graduation.
Must plan to be a full-time, main campus student planning to take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
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 Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship provides 12 awards at $20,000 each to be disbursed throughout a student’s collegiate career at the University of South Dakota. 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:
- Be committed to complete a bachelor’s degree at University of South Dakota
- Be enrolled full time as a high school student in the United States; be progressing normally toward graduation with plans to enter a college in the
- United States no later than the fall following graduation
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($65,000 or less family income required)
- Be involved in community service activities
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
- Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5
- Be a United States citizen
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
The new Jim and Boni Lochner Scholarship assists educators who wish to pursue the new Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments at Northern State University. This certificate has been designed to meet the requirements for the Blind or Visually Impaired Endorsement through the South Dakota Department of Education.
Ideal candidates include teachers currently working in general education or special education who seek to expand their professional impact. The program welcomes educators from all grade levels and content areas. Because the Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments can be completed as a stand-alone credential or serve as a direct pathway into Northern State University’s MSEd in Special Education with a specialization in Visual Impairments, this opportunity provides a flexible and meaningful way to advance your career while helping to meet a critical workforce need across South Dakota.
Eligibility:
- Be admitted to or enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments program at Northern State University
- Demonstrate a strong interest in supporting students who are blind or visually impaired
- Awardees can be full-time graduate students in education or in-service teachers. (Preference may be given to applicants who are currently employed in South Dakota schools or who intend to serve South Dakota students after completing the program.)
Applicable Institutions:
Any Accredited University
Questions:
Jessica Vogel at Jessica.Vogel@sdsbvi.northern.edu
The South Dakota Association of Towns & Townships (SDATAT) is offering one $1,500, one $1,000 and one $500 scholarship to three senior high school students who reside in South Dakota, are currently attending a South Dakota public, private, parochial high school or a home school program, and live in a town or township that is a current member of SDATAT. (A membership list is available on the sdtownships.com website) or contact your local town/township board. Graduates of the class of 2026 are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The student must use the scholarship for a college, university, or vocational school which has a physical presence in South Dakota.
Eligibility:
- Must be a high school senior attending a South Dakota public, private, parochial high school or a home school program
- Must be a child of a member of the South Dakota Assn. Of Towns and Townships
- Must reside in a small town (population under 5000) or townships in South Dakota
Applicable Institutions:
Any South Dakota College or University
Questions:
Susan Walton at sdstaff@sdtownships.com
FirstLine Funding Group, a division of First Bank & Trust, will annually award scholarships to students attending accredited colleges, universities, or technical schools in the fall. Scholarships will be awarded at $1,000 each, and the number of scholarships awarded will vary.
Eligibility:
- Be a high school senior at Madison High School or full-time undergraduate student attending Dakota State University, both located in Madison, SD.
- Have not previously received a FirstLine Funding Group scholarship.
- Employees and members of the Board of Directors or Advisory Board of Directors of First Bank & Trust, its affiliates, and the immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings, and children, and each of their respective spouses regardless of where they live) and persons living in the households of each of these individuals, whether related or not, are not eligible.
Applicable Institutions:
Any Accredited College, University or Technical College
Questions:
Lori Gustaf at 605-427-4535 or scholarships@bankeasy.com
