The new Jim and Boni Lochner Scholarship assists educators who wish to pursue the new Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments at Northern State University. This certificate has been designed to meet the requirements for the Blind or Visually Impaired Endorsement through the South Dakota Department of Education.
Ideal candidates include teachers currently working in general education or special education who seek to expand their professional impact. The program welcomes educators from all grade levels and content areas. Because the Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments can be completed as a stand-alone credential or serve as a direct pathway into Northern State University’s MSEd in Special Education with a specialization in Visual Impairments, this opportunity provides a flexible and meaningful way to advance your career while helping to meet a critical workforce need across South Dakota.
Eligibility:
- Be admitted to or enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments program at Northern State University
- Demonstrate a strong interest in supporting students who are blind or visually impaired
- Awardees can be full-time graduate students in education or in-service teachers. (Preference may be given to applicants who are currently employed in South Dakota schools or who intend to serve South Dakota students after completing the program.)
Applicable Institutions:
Any Accredited University
Questions:
Jessica Vogel at Jessica.Vogel@sdsbvi.northern.edu
The South Dakota Education Association/NEA awards scholarships to outstanding students who are planning on entering the teaching profession. This is a four-year scholarship that awards $750 per year.
Eligibility:
Must be South Dakota high school seniors or college sophomores who plan to enter the teaching profession and attend a South Dakota college or university.
Must be the daughter/son or granddaughter/grandson of an active SDEA member or an SDEA-Retired member.
Required Field of Study:
Education
Applicable Institutions:
South Dakota College or University
Questions:
Sandra Waltman at 605-224-9263 or sandra.waltman@sdea.org
The South Dakota Education Association (SDEA) awards scholarships to high school students who are planning on entering the teaching profession. The Association may annually award up to two $500 scholarships for each academic year with the possibility of a one-year renewal if the student meets continuing eligibility requirements.
Eligibility:
- Have a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or be in the top half of his/her class as of January of the year of application.
- Be a student in a South Dakota public education institution.
- Be an active member in a South Dakota Educators Rising Chapter.
- Be accepted and/or enrolled in a South Dakota college or university with a School of Education.
- Participate in local and statewide Educators Rising activities.
* Special consideration will be given to students who have volunteered to assist with SDEA activities.
Applicable Institutions:
Any South Dakota public university with a School of Education
Questions:
Sandra Waltman at 605-224-9263 or sandra.waltman@sdea.org
The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) manages more than 350 scholarships, connecting students with the generosity of our donors. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and deadline.
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 and deadline.
Applicable Institutions:
Each scholarship may be applied to various of institutions, including colleges, universities, or technical colleges.
Questions:
Kelly Nelson at 605-224-1025 or
knelson@sdcommunityfoundation.org
Annis Fowler began a teaching career in 1927 that spanned nearly 50 years. She obtained her B.A. from Northern Normal School and eventually specialized in teaching students with various learning disabilities. The primary objective of this scholarship is to promote the education of deserving students who enroll on a full-time basis at one of the South Dakota Board of Regents Universities providing teacher education. Special consideration is given to student who demonstrated motivational availability a disability or who are self-supporting.
Eligibility:
- A 3.0 cumulative high school GPA,
- First-time entering freshman at BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU or USD, and
- Intent to major in Elementary Education (or combination of major/minor with Special Education/Elementary Education)
Selection Process:
The Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship applications will be reviewed and scored by the Board of Regents System Scholarship Committee. The following will be required:
- A completed Fowler/Kaden Scholarship application form,
- An original essay on a topic selected by the donors each year,
- Two letters of recommendation, and
- Official high school transcript.
Applicable Institutions:
- BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU or USD
Questions:
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
The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship is a scholarship program funded by the state of South Dakota. It was established in 2013 by the SD Legislature. This scholarship was approved to encourage South Dakota’s high school graduates to:
- Obtain their post-secondary education in South Dakota,
- Remain in the state upon completion of their education, and
- Contribute to the state of South Dakota and its citizens by working in a critical need teaching occupation.
Field of Study Requirements:
All K-12 Teaching Positions
Initial Eligibility Requirements:
- Agree in writing to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical teaching need occupation for five years after graduating from a participating post-secondary institution
- Agree, through a promissory note, that failure to abide by the employment requirement above will result in the scholarship being converted into an interest-bearing loan
- Be fully admitted in an elementary or secondary education program at the institution that is preparing you to work in a critical need teaching area
- Attend a participating South Dakota post-secondary institution as an undergraduate enrolled in either your third or fourth year of a traditional four-year program
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Have a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA on 4.0 scale, and an average of 2.8 GPA for all major coursework
Contact Information:
Contact us here: Request Form – Contact Us or email scholarships@sdbor.edu
The Annis I. Fowler/Kaden scholarship awards funding to students who are first time freshman and intend to major in Elementary Education. Students can apply on the SD Board of Regents Online Scholarship Application Portal.
Eligibility:
- Scholarship requires minimum high school GPA of 3.00 to qualify
- Eligible majors/fields: Elementary Education – Teaching
Applicable Institutions:
- BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU, USD
Questions:
This scholarship was established to benefit employees of North American Truck and Trailer and their children. North American Truck and Trailer is a premier heavy and medium duty truck and trailer dealership with locations throughout the Great Plains. This scholarship offers multiple awards.
The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to award more than 70 scholarships to deserving students each year. Whether you’re preparing to graduate from high school, wrapping up a general equivalency diploma, or working toward your undergraduate or graduate degree, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to partner with passionate donors to administer a wide variety of competitive scholarships to help you achieve your educational goals.
The scholarship application window is December 15 – March 15.
Field of Study Requirements:
- Business (4 year degree)
- Teaching (4 year degree)
- Transportation (2 year degree)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be graduating seniors who are children of full-time employees of North American Truck & Trailer or graduating seniors who are residents of Lincoln, Minnehaha, Turner or McCook counties in South Dakota
- Minimum high school GPA: 2.5
- Participation in school and community activities
Applicable Institutions:
ANY South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, or North Dakota technical college or university
Questions:
Friends and family established the Justin Lake College Scholarship Fund to benefit graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue higher education. Awarded to a graduating senior of Tea Area High School in Tea, SD, and Huron High School or James Valley Christian High School in Huron, SD. Additional awards are available to graduating seniors who attend any South Dakota high school.
The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to award more than 70 scholarships to deserving students each year. Whether you’re preparing to graduate from high school, wrapping up a general equivalency diploma, or working toward your undergraduate or graduate degree, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is proud to partner with passionate donors to administer a wide variety of competitive scholarships to help you achieve your educational goals.
The scholarship application window is December 15 – March 15.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Awarded to graduating seniors of South Dakota high schools
- Scholarship may be awarded on Financial Need
Applicable Institutions:
ANY technical college or university
Questions:
