The Premier Equipment CNC Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship available to manufacturing and engineering students (or any student interested in pursuing a career in CNC machining or CNC programming). The Premier Equipment scholarship will help students reach their academic goals and train the next generation of engineers, CNC machinists and CNC programmers.
Eligibility:
The Premier Equipment scholarship is looking to award a student currently in engineering or manufacturing with a $2,000 Scholarship. Application will include a personal essay as to why you deserve this scholarship.
Applicable Institutions:
All Institutions
Questions:
Geroge Jones
407-786-2000
george@premierequipment.com
The J&J Sisco Scholarship (Beca J&J Sisco) is a renewable tuition and fees scholarship for incoming students at South Dakota State University (SDSU) who have strong ties to Mexico and its culture.
Eligibility:
- A student or their immediate family member that has lived in Mexico
- A student that has knowledge of the Spanish language
- A student that has knowledge of Mexican culture
- A student demonstrating financial need
- Is an incoming first-time or transfer student.
- First preference shall be given to a first-generation student who meets the above criteria.
- Students will be chosen through a selection process that could include an interview
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Smithfield Foods Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship offered at South Dakota State University. The amount is determined by the SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, based on the unmet financial need demonstrated on the FAFSA form, up to $7500. This scholarship is renewable for a total of four years based on FAFSA calculations reviewed annually.
Eligibility:
- Students must be admitted to an undergraduate program at SDSU and be dependent children or grandchildren of current or retired employees of Smithfield Foods.
- Employees must have worked with the company a minimum of 18 months for their child or dependent grandchild to be eligible.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Richard Hagen Minerva Harvey Memorial state scholarship program is for enrolled members of American Indian tribes. Once approved, recipients will be authorized to receive up to four years of funding, depending on year of attendance. Funds are to be used for students attending a public or non-public accredited university, college or technical college located in South Dakota. The Hagen Harvey Scholarship Board will determine the number of scholarships to be awarded.
This scholarship provides $6,000 over four years for study. Annual scholarship award amounts include a minimum of $1,000 for each of the first two years of attendance, a minimum of $1,500 for the third year of attendance, and a minimum of $2,500 for the fourth year of attendance. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled the equivalent of at least 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average during the course of the scholarship period.
Eligibility:
- Graduation from an accredited South Dakota high school
- Apply within 5 years after high school graduation or within 1 year after release from active military duty (if that release is within 5 years of high school graduation)
- Be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
- Must attend a public or non-public accredited university, college or technical institute located in South Dakota
Applicable Institutions:
Funds are to be used for students attending a public or non-public accredited university, college or technical institute located in South Dakota.
Questions:
Melissa Bothun at 605-295-0433 or
Melissa.Bothun@state.sd.us
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) application is a competitive process for high school juniors and seniors to earn a $10,000 scholarship and attend Washington Week in D.C. as student delegates. Applications are managed by each state’s Department of Education and typically due in early fall.
104 students, two from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity will be chosen to attend this comprehensive education, leadership, and public service program. They will participate in an intensive week-long study of the federal government and its leaders, meeting with their U.S. Senators, the President, Cabinet Secretaries, a Justice of the Supreme Court, senior members of the national media and other key policymakers. Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship given in the name of the United States Senate, with encouragement to pursue studies in history, government, and public affairs.
Eligibility:
- Grade Level: Must be a high school junior or senior.
- Enrollment: Must be enrolled for the entire academic year in a public, private, charter, or approved homeschool high school.
- Residency: Must reside in the state they are applying to represent. Military dependents attending school in the U.S. apply under their state of residence; those overseas apply through DoDEA.
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Melissa Bothun- United States Senate Youth Program
605-295-0433
Melissa.Bothun@state.sd.us
The Gateway Scholarship at Mitchell Technical College is a financial award designed to give recipients with no manufacturing background the ability to start a career.
Eligibility:
- Awardees will attend MTC on a full ride to pursue an AAS Degree in Automation Controls/SCADA. Housing and an on-campus meal plan are included.
- Upon successful completion of the two-year program, recipients will have a job with empirical as a Systems Technician.
- A signed, two-year work agreement is required.
Applicable Institutions:
MTC
Questions:
Michelle Ware
605-217-8164
mware@empiricalfoods.com
South Dakota Farmers Union annually gives recognition to young people who commit to a South Dakota college, university or technical institute, and whose parents are current members of Farmers Union.
Farmers Union starts investing in youth at age 5 and that investment is never ending as they progress through their education. We are excited for our youth as they transition into the next chapter and are thankful to continue our support for their future. Three $500 scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students.
Eligibility:
- Current member of South Dakota Farmers Union.
- Senior in high school planning to attend or a current freshman at a SD post-secondary institution.
- Completed application (paper or online submission) must be received by 8 a.m. on November 14, 2025.
- Any late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed
- Applicants can only win once, past winners are not eligible
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
605-554-3022
SBowman@sdfu.org
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 Gene Haas Scholarship was established in 2017 with funds received from the Gene Haas Foundation. The scholarship will be given to students enrolled in a machining-based training and/or engineering program at the postsecondary level.
Eligibility:
Degree(s) required: Machining & Manufacturing and Automation Engineering
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen at 605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
