The South Dakota Association of Environmental Professionals (SDAEP) Scholarship supports students pursuing education and careers in environmental fields. This scholarship is designed to encourage the development of future professionals who are committed to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and responsible resource management in South Dakota.
Eligibility:
- Applicants should desire a career in a trade supportive to the protection and enhancement of our natural resources, environment, and/or related fields.
- Students that are intending to enroll or are already enrolled at a South Dakota university, technical institution, or other post-secondary trade school. Applicants must intend to enroll for the fall semester.
- Applicants must possess a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or greater
- Part-time studies will be considered if applicant can show good cause for other than full-time studies and that the course of study is directed toward a degree, certificate or similar identification of graduation.
- Students who have received an SDAEP scholarship in the past are eligible to apply each year.
- High school seniors are eligible to apply.
- Children and spouses of Scholarship Committee members are not eligible.
Field of Study Requirement:
Related fields include business administration, accounting, biology, chemistry, trucking, geology, hydrology, engineering, auto mechanics, computer science, education, heating/ventilation/refrigeration, environmental sciences, engineering technicians, government administration, agribusiness, energy technology. However, all majors are eligible to apply.
Applicable Institutions:
All accredited South Dakota postsecondary institutions
Questions?
Bob Prann at (605) 484-6886 or sdaep@yahoo.com
1st Financial Bank USA (1FBUSA) created the Financial Goals Scholarship program to celebrate those who recognize the importance of pursuing educational and financial goals. A $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a new winner each month. To enter, students must submit an essay about a personal finance topic in 500 words. Full rules and eligibility can be found at 1fbusascholarship.com.
Eligibility:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a college degree program
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
Any College or University
Questions:
Scholarship Committee at (712) 251-2030 or scholarship@1fbusa.com
The Smithfield Foods Scholarship program is for the children and dependent grandchildren of full-time and retired employees. Scholarship amounts are need based and determined by the University of South Dakota Financial Aid Office, based on the unmet financial need. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA, be enrolled full-time, complete the FAFSA, and submit a thank you letter.
Eligibility:
- Must be children and dependent grandchildren of full-time and retired employees of Smithfield Foods
- Must maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college
- Must be enrolled at the University of South Dakota full-time
- Must complete the FAFSA
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
At USD, you can benefit from the Coyote Beginnings program. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD are automatically considered for up to $4,000 per year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA, standardized test scores and committee review.
Students at USD – Sioux Falls can now benefit from the Coyote Beginnings program. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD – Sioux Falls are automatically considered for up to $2,000 per year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA and committee review.
The Coyote Beginnings may include a combination of funding from other scholarships or additional sources awarded to you. To receive full consideration, apply to the University of South Dakota by April 1. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed for any remaining funds, if available. No separate application is required for this award—your eligibility will be automatically assessed based on your admissions application.
Eligibility:
- Be admitted to the University of South Dakota as a first-time, degree-seeking freshman
- Graduate from high school (or equivalent) prior to enrollment
- Enroll full time at USD (typically defined as 12 or more credit hours per semester)
- Submit a completed USD admission application (full consideration if application is submitted by April 1)
- No separate scholarship application is required
- Meet academic criteria used for award determination, which may include:
- High school GPA
- ACT or SAT scores (if submitted)
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at (605) 658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
This scholarship program provides a limited number of $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to incoming freshman students who are South Dakota residents and whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) graduated from the University of South Dakota (USD).
Eligibility:
- Incoming freshman USD in Fall 2026
- South Dakota resident
- Parent(s) or legal guardians(s) graduated from USD
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at 605-658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
Valued at up to $500 (up to $250 per semester for the first two semesters), the USD Valedictorian Scholarship is presented to high school seniors who rank at the top of their graduating classes during the awarding period. Recipients must remain enrolled full-time on the Vermillion campus.
Eligibility:
- High school seniors who rank at the top of their graduating classes during the awarding period
- Enroll full-time at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion in Fall 2026
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at 605-658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
The University of South Dakota is proud to offer the SD Dual Credit Scholarship to South Dakota students who successfully completed High School Dual Credit courses.
Eligibility:
- Earn a “C” or higher in all High School Dual Credit (HSDC) courses
- Any HSDC course completed with a D, F or W will not be counted toward the credit total considered for the scholarship
- Enroll at USD as a first-time, full-time student
- Award amounts will be based on how many credit hours the students have completed with USD
- 1-6 USD credit hours, $600 total ($150 per year)
- 7-12 USD credit hours, $1,100 total ($275 per year)
- 13+ USD credit hours, $1,600 total ($400 per year)
Applicable Institutions:
University of South Dakota
Questions:
Cori Hup at 605-658-6214 or cori.hup@usd.edu
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
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 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
