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
South Dakota Farmers Union awards scholarships to students who plan to continue their education at a South Dakota college, university, or technical college. The scholarship recognizes academic achievement, community involvement, and students pursuing fields that support agriculture or rural communities.
Eligibility:
- Be a current high school senior or college student
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Have a parent or guardian who is a current South Dakota Farmers Union member
- Plan to attend a South Dakota university or technical college
Field of Study Requirements:
Applicants are not limited to agribusiness, farm operations, or production agriculture, but their field of study should relate to or benefit rural America.
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota universities and technical colleges
Questions:
Ashley Stegeman at 605-554-3022 or astegeman@sdfu.org
The Dakota Corps Scholarship was created to keep young people in South Dakota by giving students financial access to outstanding postsecondary education and encouraging them to remain in South Dakota post-graduation.
Among other requirements – Eligible students must have a 27 ACT and plan to pursue one of the established critical need areas.
Eligible Students can apply using the SD Board of Regents online Scholarship Portal.
Eligibility:
- Scholarship requires minimum ACT score of 27 and minimum high school GPA of 2.80 to qualify
- Eligible majors/fields: Select teacher majors, registered nurse, accountant/auditor, information technology, and select engineering
Applicable Institutions:
Any SOUTH DAKOTA technical college or university
Questions:
The Sanford Health Military and Veteran Scholarship is awarded to any veteran, Guard/Reserve, or active-duty military service member who has demonstrated exceptional character and leadership in furthering their own progress and in enriching the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement. This scholarship opens September 20, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Veteran, Guard/Reserve, and active-duty military service members.
- Pursuing a degree as a full-time student (Full-time as determined by your institution and program of study):
- Undergraduate bachelor’s degree
- Graduate or professional degree
- Community College/Vocational
- Attend a public or private, US-based accredited institution of higher education
- Applicants must obtain degree within 6 months to three (3) years from date of initial scholarship award (April 2027).
Applicable Institutions:
ANY accredited U.S. institution
Questions:
Jolie Hauck at 605-312-7471 or educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org
