The Sanford Health Lakota Nation Scholarship supports students dedicated to serving Native American communities by reducing financial barriers to education and fostering academic success. The scholarship encourages future healthcare professionals to provide culturally responsive care and make a positive impact in Tribal Nations. This scholarship opens October 2, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be accepted to or enrolled full-time in a health care degree program at an accredited U.S. institution and have at least one semester remaining when applications close in February.
Applicable Institutions:
ANY accredited U.S. institution
Questions:
Jolie Hauck at 605-312-7471 or educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org
1st Financial Bank USA (1FBUSA) created the Financial Goals Scholarship program to celebrate those who recognize the importance of pursuing educational and financial goals. A $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a new winner each month. To enter, students must submit an essay about a personal finance topic in 500 words. Full rules and eligibility can be found at 1fbusascholarship.com.
Eligibility:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a college degree program
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
Any College or University
Questions:
Scholarship Committee at (712) 251-2030 or scholarship@1fbusa.com
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) manages a wide variety of scholarships, connecting students to opportunities made possible through the generosity of our donors.
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.
Applicable Institutions:
Each scholarship may be applied to various institutions, including colleges, universities, or technical colleges.
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or
knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org
The Elma and Dolores Haver Scholarship is a full-ride award given annually to one outstanding high school senior enrolling at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
Eligibility:
- Awarded annually to one outstanding high school senior based on academics.
- Students must be a first-time, full-time student enrolling in any major.
- Preference will be given to students from the Irene-Wakonda School District.
- Students must have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, a 22 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent) and demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA application.
- Students will be selected through a competitive interview selection process.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
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 Klingbeil Scholarship is a competitive award for outstanding high school seniors planning to major in agriculture-related fields at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
Eligibility:
- Awarded to outstanding high school seniors based on academic and extracurricular activities.
- Students must major in agricultural systems technology, agronomy or precision agriculture.
- Students are chosen through a competitive selection process that could include an interview.
- At a minimum, students selected for consideration must have a 22 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent) or have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Schellpeper Family Scholarship is a progressive, multi-year award for outstanding high school seniors pursuing health science majors at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
Eligibility:
- Awarded to outstanding high school seniors each year based on GPA and extracurricular activities.
- Students must major in a health science career field.
- At a minimum, students selected must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
Award Breakdown
Progressive amount — $2,000 first year, $3,000 second year, $4,000 third year and $5,000 fourth year for a total of $14,000.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Hatterscheidt Scholarship is a one-year, $2,500 award for South Dakota high school seniors attending South Dakota State University (SDSU), based on financial need and academic achievement.
Eligibility:
- Must be a South Dakota Resident; graduating from a SD 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:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship provides 25 awards at $10,000 each to be disbursed throughout a student’s collegiate career at South Dakota State University. 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:
- Must be enrolled full-time as a high school senior in the United States with plans to enter South Dakota State University no later than the fall semester following graduation.
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University.
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required).
- Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities.
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
- Hold a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
Applicable Institutions:
SDSU
Questions:
Lisa Schramm
605-688-4121
lisa.schramm@sdstate.edu
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) recognizes outstanding high school student leaders and provides an opportunity to engage with national leaders while earning a college scholarship. Each year, two South Dakota students are selected to participate in this prestigious national program, which includes Washington Week and a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship.
Eligibility:
- Be a current high school junior or senior
- Demonstrate leadership through elected or appointed positions in student government or other approved organizations
- Complete the application process through their high school
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
The scholarship may be used toward undergraduate study at an accredited college or university.
Did You Know?
- Only two students from South Dakota are selected each year.
- Students participate alongside peers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.
- Washington Week is held in Washington, D.C., or virtually, depending on program requirements.
- Applications typically open in late August.
Questions:
Contact your high school counselor or the South Dakota Department of Education for additional information about the application and selection process.
