The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) recognizes outstanding high school student leaders and provides an opportunity to engage with national leaders while earning a college scholarship. Each year, two South Dakota students are selected to participate in this prestigious national program, which includes Washington Week and a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship.
Eligibility:
- Be a current high school junior or senior
- Demonstrate leadership through elected or appointed positions in student government or other approved organizations
- Complete the application process through their high school
Field of Study Requirements:
Open to all fields of study
Applicable Institutions:
The scholarship may be used toward undergraduate study at an accredited college or university.
Did You Know?
- Only two students from South Dakota are selected each year.
- Students participate alongside peers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.
- Washington Week is held in Washington, D.C., or virtually, depending on program requirements.
- Applications typically open in late August.
Questions:
Contact your high school counselor or the South Dakota Department of Education for additional information about the application and selection process.
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
Students graduating from a public high school in 3 years or less are eligible for a one time scholarship of $1500 to be distributed equally across both the Fall and Spring semesters during their first year of post-secondary enrollment. Eligible students can apply using the SD Board of Regents Online Scholarship Portal.
Eligibility:
- Be a resident of South Dakota;
- Complete the requirements of the recommended high school program as established by the Board of Education pursuant to §13-1-12.1, and be awarded a high school diploma by a public high school in three years or less;
- Have attended a public high school in South Dakota on a full-time basis for at least two semesters prior to graduating; and
- Within one year of graduating from high school, excluding any time served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, enroll in a college, university, or technical school accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools that provides instruction from a campus located in South Dakota.
Applicable Institutions:
- Any SOUTH DAKOTA technical college or university
Questions:
