Our goal is to help as many college students with Down syndrome as we possibly can to go for their dreams of higher education and independence!
Awarded $1000-$10,000Students must be at least 18 years old and have the desire and intent to enroll or continue in a post-secondary class or program that will enhance their life through employment skills, independent living or life skills, or interests in any other areas. Students must provide copies of high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., certificate of completion), high school transcript if graduating in the spring of this year, or proof of acceptance to or current enrollment in a post-secondary program. Individuals who have previously been awarded a Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship can apply for another scholarship as soon as the following year.
Applicable Institutions:
ANY technical college or university
Questions:
Liz Plachta at (512) 879-7801 or Liz@rubysrainbow.org.
Scholarship is possible through a grant by the John T. Vucurevich Foundation to help students in their academic path to a living wage. Scholarships are for students enrolled in degree programs at Western Dakota Tech pursuing their career goals.
Eligibility:
Scholarship requires minimum high school and/or college GPA of 2.00 to qualify. Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.
Applicable Institutions:
Western Dakota Technical College
Questions:
Western Dakota Technical College Scholarships Office at 605-718-3061 or WDTScholarship@wdt.edu.
Needs based scholarship is possible through a grant by the South Dakota Education Access Foundation to expand access to postsecondary education. Scholarships are for students pursuing any degree program of study at Western Dakota Tech. Use Western Dakota Technical College’s Universal Scholarship Application to apply.
Eligibility:
Scholarship requires minimum high school and/or college GPA of 2.00 to qualify. Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.
Applicable Institutions:
Western Dakota Technical College
Questions:
Western Dakota Technical College Scholarships Office at 605-718-3061 or WDTScholarship@wdt.edu.
Scholarships established by the Disabled American Veterans – Northern Hills Chapter 11 for veterans, their spouse, and their children to assist connection with meaningful employment and participating in the American Dream their sacrifices have made possible. Applications can be submitted through the linked Western Dakota Technical College’s Universal Scholarship Application
Eligibility:
Applicants must be veterans, their spouse, and their children. Scholarship requires minimum high school and/or college GPA of 3.00 to qualify.
Applicable Institutions:
Western Dakota Technical College
Questions:
Western Dakota Technical College Scholarships Office at 605-718-3061 or WDTScholarship@wdt.edu.
The Association of General Contractors supports two scholarships to assist with educational expenses required for study in Western Dakota Tech’s Architecture & Engineering Technology, Construction Technology, Electrical Trades, HVAC/R, and/or Welding Programs. Scholarships are in memory of Dr. Ken Gifford who served as the Director for Western Dakota Tech from 1987-2000.Students interested in applying can use Western Dakota Technical College’s Universal Scholarship Application at the link provided.
Eligibility:
Scholarship requires minimum high school and/or college GPA of 2.50 to qualify.
Eligible majors/fields: Architecture & Engineering Technology, Construction Technology, Electrical Trades, HVAC/R Technology, and Welding & Fabrication
Applicable Institutions:
Western Dakota Technical College
Questions:
Western Dakota Technical College Scholarships Office at 605-718-3061 or WDTScholarship@wdt.edu.
This scholarship supports students whose family was impacted by a serious or fatal work injury. If your family was impacted by an injury at work or on the farm, please apply. The award amount listed is an estimate and depends on circumstances and financial need.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have family impacted by a serious or fatal work injury. Scholarship selection may be based on financial need.
Applicable Institutions:
ANY technical college or university
Questions:
Dan Nelson at 605-280-2702 or dan_nelson@ncci.com.
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 605-786-2407 or ehaerter@sdcommunityfoundation.org.
Build Dakota pays all expenses for students to complete an approved high-need program at one of SD’s four technical colleges. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements to enroll at a South Dakota technical college. This is a work-based scholarship so we are looking for applicants who have explored the career in which they are interested in entering. In return for the full-ride scholarship, our recipients agree to work in South Dakota, in the field paid for by Build Dakota, for 36-months following program completion. High school seniors and non-traditional aged students are all welcome to apply.
Eligibility:
Eligible majors/fields: Full list of approved programs can be found on the Build Dakota website
Applicable Institutions:
LATC, MTC, STC, WDTC
Questions:
Deni Martin at 605-347-1804 or deni@builddakotascholarships.com.
