Freedom Scholarship 2024-2025

The Freedom Scholarship offers a statewide opportunity for students to help pay for college, as they help build South Dakota’s workforce. By demonstrating financial need and meeting scholarship requirements, students who plan to learn, live and work in South Dakota can use the scholarship toward any bachelor’s degree. To be considered for the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship, you need to apply for admission and be accepted at a participating South Dakota institution and complete the FAFSA. Students can reach out to their desired school to find out more eligibility requirements and application information and if funds remain. Students must commit in writing to living and working in South Dakota for at least three years after graduation and agree that any failure to meet the scholarship requirements will result in the scholarship being converted to a 4% fixed interest loan.

 

Eligibility:

Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.

 

Applicable Institutions:

BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSMT, SDSU, USD, Private SD School

 

Questions:

Elli Haerter at 605-846-6976 or ehaerter@sdcommunityfoundation.org.

Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship

The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship is open to upcoming Juniors and Seniors in college who are pursuing a degree in specific education fields. The scholarship encourages South Dakota students to obtain their post-secondary education in South Dakota for teaching in certain critical teaching occupations. Awardees must agree in writing to remain in the state upon completion of their education to contribute to the state and its citizens by working in an eligible critical need teaching occupation – failure to do so will result in scholarship funding converting to a low interest loan that must be repaid. Eligible students can apply using the SD Board of Regents Scholarship Application Portal. Scholarships tentatively open February 2024.

 

Eligibility:

Applicants must be upcoming Juniors and Seniors in college. Eligible majors/fields: Certain Teaching Occupations.

 

Applicable Institutions:

BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU, USD, Private SD School

 

Questions:

Kerri Richards at 605-773-3455 or kerri.richards@sdbor.edu.