The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship provides financial assistance to college juniors and seniors preparing for teaching careers in South Dakota. The scholarship helps cover tuition and eligible fees for students who commit to teaching in South Dakota for five years after graduation.
Field of Study Requirements:
All K–12 teaching positions are considered critical need areas for the 2027–28 academic year.
Initial Eligibility Requirements:
• Be fully admitted to an elementary or secondary education program at a participating South Dakota postsecondary institution.
• Be enrolled in the third or fourth year of a traditional four-year undergraduate program.
• Maintain a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA and a 2.8 GPA in major coursework.
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Agree to teach in a critical need K–12 position in South Dakota for five years after graduation.
Five-Year Teaching Commitment:
Scholarship recipients must agree in writing to fulfill the five-year teaching commitment. If the commitment is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to an interest-bearing loan that must be repaid.
Contact Information:
South Dakota Board of Regents Scholarship Office
scholarships@sdbor.edu