The South Dakota Retailers Association scholarship program provides assistance to students studying for a career in retail and hospitality businesses, whether as an owner, manager, or employee. In 2025, their Scholarship Committee awarded funds to five students, in amounts ranging from $2,750 to $3,700.
Field of Study Requirements:
- Hospitality
- Business*
- Trades
*We consider a broad range of business programs eligible for the scholarship including agribusiness, auto mechanics, business administration, computer science, culinary arts, heating/ventilation, hotel/restaurant management, pharmacy, tourism industry management, and more.
Applicable Institutions:
All South Dakota Colleges and Universities
Eligibility:
- Applicant must desire a career in a retail or retail-related field, including hospitality and trade businesses.
- Applicant must enroll in a retail-related course of study at a qualifying, accredited technical school, college, university, or certified professional training institute in the fall of 2026. Enrollment in an online degree program from a qualifying school is acceptable.
- Examples of fields of study considered to be retail-related include (but are not limited to): Accounting, Agribusiness, Apparel Merchandising, Auto Mechanics, Automotive Technology, Business Administration, Business Management, Collision Repair, Computer Science, Commercial Baking, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Diesel Mechanics, Electrical Maintenance, Entrepreneurial Studies, Gemology, HVAC, Hotel/Restaurant Management, Landscape Design, Pharmacy, Photography, Printing Industries, Refrigeration, Sales/Marketing Management, and Tourism Industry Management. (NOTE: this list is not all-inclusive.)
- South Dakota Education – applicant must meet one of these three requirements
- Graduated from a South Dakota high school – OR –
- Have earned high school equivalency (such as a GED) in South Dakota – OR –
- Plan to attend post-secondary school in South Dakota
- Applicant must meet one of these four requirements:
- have completed at least 24 credits from a qualifying college or university by September 2026
- have completed 12 credits from a qualifying tech school or certified professional training institute by September of 2026
- have successfully completed ProStart Levels 1 and 2 (high school culinary arts program)
- non-traditional student who has full-time work experience after high school
- Students must enroll in 12 or more credit hours of classes at a qualifying post-secondary school or online degree program for the fall of 2026. (Internships do not qualify)
- Prior recipients are eligible
Questions:
Brooke Bohnenkamp at 605-224-5050 or bbohnenkamp@sdra.org
The Yankton College Scholarship Program awards post-graduate scholarships from endowed or restricted funds to deserving students each academic year to use at an accredited educational institution (college/university). The applicant’s name and personal information is first redacted then ranked by the application reviewers on academic merit, leadership potential, good citizenship and exemplary character and for those scholarships with a financial need component. The recipients to receive financial aid are selected anonymously by the highest percentage. The Yankton College Scholarship Committee makes the final recommendations.
Eligibility:
- Applicant must seek a graduate degree from an accredited educational institution.
- Applicant will be given points for relationship(s) based on:
- A) have a family relationship to Yankton College alumni, former faculty or staff; OR
- B) be recommended by a family friend, teacher, pastor or other person with a connection to Yankton College; OR
- C) be a Yankton College graduate or former YC faculty or staff member.
- Applicant must show evidence of high academic ability and promise. Such evidence should include but not necessarily be limited to:
- an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4-point scale
- a composite of 800 on the GRE or equivalent on a nationally recognized graduate admissions test
- leadership in one or more academic or non-academic activity while in college and/or since graduation
- Include 2 letters of reference from a college faculty member or other appropriate person attesting to your scholastic ability, leadership qualities and character.
- Include a leadership statement revealing as much as possible the leadership roles you have assumed during college, at work, in the community or in your church.
- Include undergraduate transcript(s)
- Include a personal statement demonstrating creativity and skill in writing which includes your educational objectives and future goals. Statement must be typed and not exceed one page, double-spaced and use a font size of 10 or more.
Applicable Institutions:
Any Accredited Post-Secondary Institution
Questions:
Melanie Mines at 605-665-3661 or ycoffice@yanktoncollege.org
Each year, the Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota (IIASD) awards $20,000 in scholarships to students who recognize the positive impact that service has in their hometowns. Our members are deeply rooted in communities across South Dakota, and this scholarship reflects that same commitment to helping others. This program is designed to uplift the stories of individuals who make a meaningful difference — and the students who notice.
We’re not evaluating GPAs or résumés. We’re looking for students who recognize and value the people around them who make South Dakota communities stronger.
Eligibility:
- Any South Dakota student (high school senior, current college student, or nontraditional student)
- Who will be attending a South Dakota college, university, or technical school this fall
- And who submits their essay through a participating IIASD member office
Applicable Institutions:
Any South Dakota college, university, or technical school
Questions:
Blake Severyn
Area Federal Credit Union (Area FCU) understands the importance of higher education. In order to encourage its pursuit, they are offering five (5) $1,000 scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic school year to Area FCU members attending a two- or four-year post-secondary accredited college or university or a technical/vocational school.
Eligibility:
- Applicants and/or Guardian must be a member of Area Federal Credit Union (Prior to 2026).
- Your account must be in good standing.
- Students must be in good standing with the school in which they are enrolled or have recently graduated from and have a GPA greater than 2.5.
- Students must be planning to attend:
- An accredited college or university or technical/vocational school in the fall upon high school graduation.
- Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university or technical/vocational school.
Applicable Institutions:
Any two- or four-year post-secondary accredited college or university or a technical/vocational school
Questions:
Allison Maunu
605-725-0661
amaunu@areafcu.org
If you consider higher education the first step toward your aspirations, POET wants to help you get there. POET Never Satisfied Scholarships are open to students enrolled in any accredited two- or four-year post-secondary school, regardless of GPA, and open to Agriculture, Finance, Accounting, Communications, Engineering, Computer Science, Human Resources, or related degree programs or minors.
The POET Never Satisfied Scholarship Program awards up to $75k in total scholarships to students who are Never Satisfied with “good enough” and share POET’s mission to create a brighter future. Both 4-and-2-year accredited universities are eligible to apply. Recipients attending a 4-year university will receive a $5,000 scholarship and those attending a technical university will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Never Satisfied Scholars also receive hands-on networking and learning opportunities with members of the POET team.
We’re looking for individuals whose drive and ambition help them to see the world differently — who take the task of creating change into their own hands. Sound like you? Apply today!
Eligibility:
- Open to high school seniors and current college students (graduate students included)
- Majoring in Agriculture, Finance, Accounting, Communications, Engineering, Computer Science, Human Resources, or related degree programs or minors.
Field of Study Requirements:
Agriculture
Finance
Accounting
Communications
Engineering
Computer Science
Human Resources
Or related degree programs or minors
Applicable Institutions:
Any accredited two- or four-year college
Yankton College was a private liberal arts college located in Yankton, SD until 1984. The Yankton College Alumni Association has an active Scholarship program offering 20 undergraduate scholarships available for 2026 High school graduates to use during the 2026-27 academic year, seeking a bachelors degrees. Only ONE application is needed to apply for all awards given in this program. Awards range from $1000-$4000.
Any 2026 High School Senior may apply, additional points are awarded to those with family or friendship ties to the school, but this is not a requirement for application. Scholarship moneys can be used at any accredited US college/university. Application requires a leadership statement and a personal statement from applicant, plus two letters of reference.
How to Apply:
Download the application at www.yanktoncollege.org and send it vial mail or email by deadline of February 20, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Any High School Senior (Graduating Class of 2026) seeking a bachelors degree
- Minimum ACT Score of 21 (SAT Score 1000)
- High School GPA 3.0 or higher
- Additional consideration is given to those applicants with a Yankton College connection. Applicants may have:
- a family relationship to Yankton College alumni, former faculty or staff
- a family friend, teacher, or a United Church of Christ pastor with a connection to Yankton College recommend an applicant,
- be a Yankton College graduate, former student, faculty or staff.
Applicable Institutions:
Any Accredited College or University
Questions:
Melanie Mines at 605-665-3661 or ycoffice@yanktoncollege.org
Sioux Valley Energy is offering$20,000 worth of scholarships this year to eligible graduating high school seniors or first-time attendees at an institution of higher education.
Applications are judged on the basis of grades, ACT or SAT test scores, work experience, school activities, volunteer community service and an essay question. The scholarship committee that determines recipients includes two Operation Round Up Board Members, an SVE Board Member, two SVE employees and a school counselor or administrative staff member. The majority of the scholarship funding comes from Operation Round Up funds, with additional funds from Basin Electric Power Cooperative and L&O Power Cooperative.
Applications that are hand delivered must be in one of the SVE offices no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, January 16, 2026. Mailed applications must be postmarked by January 16, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Be a graduating high school senior or first-time attendee at an institution of higher education
- Plan to be a full-time student in an accredited college or vocational technical school this fall
- Be a child or dependent of a Sioux Valley Energy member
- Have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA plus an ACT/SAT score for the four-year college/university scholarship or a 2.5 or higher GPA for the two-year technical college or power line school scholarship
- Provide a written recommendation from a teacher, administrator or counselor
- One winner per family/per year
Applicable Institutions:
All Universities and Technical Colleges
Questions:
800-234-1960
sve@siouxvalleyenergy.com
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
High school seniors or current college students who are planning to (or are currently) attending a post-secondary institution in South Dakota or North Dakota for an agricultural degree/career path are encouraged to apply for the Agtegra Cooperative Scholarship. The Agtegra Cooperative is awarding ten $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and one $1,000 scholarship to a current college student through this program.
Eligibility:
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Must plan to or attend a 2- or 4-year post-secondary institution in South Dakota or North Dakota
- Must plan to pursue an agricultural degree/program or career field after college graduation
- Must be a U.S. citizen
Field of Study Requirements:
Agricultural degree/program or career field after college graduation
Note: The word “agriculture” does not need to be in their declared major; if the student plans to pursue an ag-related career when they graduate from college, they can still apply! Students should explain their future career plans in the application essay questions.
Applicable Institutions:
All post-secondary institutions in South Dakota and North Dakota
Questions:
Sadie Frey
605-725-8377
sadie.frey@agtegra.com
Annis Fowler began a teaching career in 1927 that spanned nearly 50 years. She obtained her B.A. from Northern Normal School and eventually specialized in teaching students with various learning disabilities. The primary objective of this scholarship is to promote the education of deserving students who enroll on a full-time basis at one of the South Dakota Board of Regents Universities providing teacher education. Special consideration is given to student who demonstrated motivational availability a disability or who are self-supporting.
Eligibility:
- A 3.0 cumulative high school GPA,
- First-time entering freshman at BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU or USD, and
- Intent to major in Elementary Education (or combination of major/minor with Special Education/Elementary Education)
Selection Process:
The Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship applications will be reviewed and scored by the Board of Regents System Scholarship Committee. The following will be required:
- A completed Fowler/Kaden Scholarship application form,
- An original essay on a topic selected by the donors each year,
- Two letters of recommendation, and
- Official high school transcript.
Applicable Institutions:
- BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU or USD
Questions:
