The Richard Hagen Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship supports enrolled members of American Indian tribes pursuing higher education in South Dakota. Scholarship recipients may receive up to $6,000 over four years, with funding continuing annually based on eligibility requirements. The Hagen Harvey Scholarship Board determines the number of scholarships awarded each year.
Eligibility:
- Graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school
- Apply within five years of high school graduation or within one year of release from active military duty (if released within five years of high school graduation)
- Be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
- Enroll full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 throughout the scholarship period
- Attend a public or non-public accredited university, college, or technical institute located in South Dakota
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
Public or non-public accredited universities, colleges, and technical institutes located in South Dakota
Questions:
Melissa Bothun at 605-295-0433 or
Melissa.Bothun@state.sd.us
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 South Dakota Farmers Union Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship supports students pursuing graduate education in agriculture-related fields. Recipients are selected based on career goals, leadership and community involvement, and financial need.
Eligibility:
- Be a continuing full-time graduate student pursuing a first graduate degree or eligible graduate credential
- Pursue study in an agriculture-related field, such as research, animal science, agribusiness, or agricultural education
- Demonstrate a passion for food, agriculture, or natural resources and an intention to pursue a career in one of these fields
- Demonstrate a strong interest in working in South Dakota after completing the program
- Demonstrate financial need
- Preference is given to students from South Dakota who have or have had an affiliation with Farmers Union
Eligible programs include master’s and doctoral programs, agriculture teacher certification programs, and graduate certificate programs. On-campus and distance education students may apply.
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota colleges and universities offering eligible graduate programs
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:
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
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
