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. 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 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 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
The Mines Merit Scholarship Program is a competitive, merit-based award for incoming freshmen at South Dakota Mines, recognizing academic excellence with scholarships based on GPA and ACT scores.
Eligibility:
Incoming freshmen who have been accepted by January 1, have a 3.0 unweighted GPA, and at least a 24 ACT math subscore or 1160 SAT math subscore are eligible for a Merit Scholarship, which ranges from $1,000 to $7,000 per year. It can be renewable for 3 additional years.
Applicable Institutions:
SD Mines
Questions:
Molly Moore
605-394-2414
admissions@sdsmt.edu
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 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 generous faculty and staff of Mitchell Technical College contribute to the MTC Foundation to provide these scholarships to MTC students.
Eligibility:
These scholarships are awarded to full-time incoming students each year.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
The Nordby Scholarship for Academic Excellence is a $5,000 merit-based award given annually to two students attending Mitchell Technical College in South Dakota. It recognizes outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement.
Eligibility:
- Welding, Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Registered Nursing (LPN to RN)
- Applicants must demonstrate academic and extra-curricular involvement worthy of MTC’s highest scholarship award.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
South Dakota Cattlewomen (SDCW) is dedicated to promoting the beef industry in South Dakota. SDCW will award two – $1,000 scholarships to a young person attending or planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the upcoming semester.
This scholarship can be used at any accredited university, 2 year or 4-year college or technical school.
POSTMARK DEADLINE is JULY 1, 2025. Please go to the linked URL for more detailed information on requirements.
Contact Information:
Brenda Dreyer at 605-290-8223 or bdreyer@midco.net
