The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) application is a competitive process for high school juniors and seniors to earn a $10,000 scholarship and attend Washington Week in D.C. as student delegates. Applications are managed by each state’s Department of Education and typically due in early fall.
104 students, two from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity will be chosen to attend this comprehensive education, leadership, and public service program. They will participate in an intensive week-long study of the federal government and its leaders, meeting with their U.S. Senators, the President, Cabinet Secretaries, a Justice of the Supreme Court, senior members of the national media and other key policymakers. Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship given in the name of the United States Senate, with encouragement to pursue studies in history, government, and public affairs.
Eligibility:
- Grade Level: Must be a high school junior or senior.
- Enrollment: Must be enrolled for the entire academic year in a public, private, charter, or approved homeschool high school.
- Residency: Must reside in the state they are applying to represent. Military dependents attending school in the U.S. apply under their state of residence; those overseas apply through DoDEA.
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Melissa Bothun- United States Senate Youth Program
605-295-0433
Melissa.Bothun@state.sd.us
The Gateway Scholarship at Mitchell Technical College is a financial award designed to give recipients with no manufacturing background the ability to start a career.
Eligibility:
- Awardees will attend MTC on a full ride to pursue an AAS Degree in Automation Controls/SCADA. Housing and an on-campus meal plan are included.
- Upon successful completion of the two-year program, recipients will have a job with empirical as a Systems Technician.
- A signed, two-year work agreement is required.
Applicable Institutions:
MTC
Questions:
Michelle Ware
605-217-8164
mware@empiricalfoods.com
The Mines Merit Scholarship Program is a competitive, merit-based award for incoming freshmen at South Dakota Mines, recognizing academic excellence with scholarships based on GPA and ACT scores.
Eligibility:
Incoming freshmen who have been accepted by January 1, have a 3.0 unweighted GPA, and at least a 24 ACT math subscore or 1160 SAT math subscore are eligible for a Merit Scholarship, which ranges from $1,000 to $7,000 per year. It can be renewable for 3 additional years.
Applicable Institutions:
SD Mines
Questions:
Molly Moore
605-394-2414
admissions@sdsmt.edu
South Dakota Farmers Union annually gives recognition to young people who commit to a South Dakota college, university or technical institute, and whose parents are current members of Farmers Union.
Farmers Union starts investing in youth at age 5 and that investment is never ending as they progress through their education. We are excited for our youth as they transition into the next chapter and are thankful to continue our support for their future. Three $500 scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students.
Eligibility:
- Current member of South Dakota Farmers Union.
- Senior in high school planning to attend or a current freshman at a SD post-secondary institution.
- Completed application (paper or online submission) must be received by 8 a.m. on November 14, 2025.
- Any late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed
- Applicants can only win once, past winners are not eligible
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
605-554-3022
SBowman@sdfu.org
The Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship, sponsored by Travelers Motor Club, is designed to help retain talent in South Dakota to support South Dakota’s agriculture industry.
Eligibility:
- It is open to students from South Dakota, pursuing a graduate degree in research, animal science, agriculture business or agriculture education at an accredited South Dakota school.
- Eligible graduate students include on-campus and distance education students who are pursuing any master’s or doctoral program, agriculture teacher certification program (CERT/FCSC) or graduate certificate program (GCERT).
Applicable Institutions:
Accredited South Dakota Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
6055543022
SBowman@sdfu.org
The SD Farmers Union “Farming For The Future” media challenge offers a scholarship program for college and high school seniors interested in agriculture, aiming to bridge the gap between farm and fork. Participants will develop communication skills and advocate for South Dakota agriculture by sharing personal experiences or exploring agricultural topics through social media. Over seven weeks, students will network with industry professionals and engage in weekly challenges focused on specific agricultural products or issues, earning mini-scholarships and accumulating points towards larger scholarships. The top five participants will also have the opportunity to attend the South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention.
Eligibility:
Must be current college student or high school seniors who is interested in agriculture.
Applicable Institutions:
All Schools
Questions:
Samantha Bowman
605.554.3022
SBowman@sdfu.org
The MTC Alumni Legacy Scholarship is designed to benefit the children, grandchildren and siblings of MTC’s alumni.
Eligibility:
An incoming student whose parent, grandparent, step-parent, brother or sister graduated from MTC is eligible to receive this scholarship.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
The generous faculty and staff of Mitchell Technical College contribute to the MTC Foundation to provide these scholarships to MTC students.
Eligibility:
These scholarships are awarded to full-time incoming students each year.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
The Gene Haas Scholarship was established in 2017 with funds received from the Gene Haas Foundation. The scholarship will be given to students enrolled in a machining-based training and/or engineering program at the postsecondary level.
Eligibility:
Degree(s) required: Machining & Manufacturing and Automation Engineering
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen at 605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
The Nordby Scholarship for Academic Excellence is a $5,000 merit-based award given annually to two students attending Mitchell Technical College in South Dakota. It recognizes outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement.
Eligibility:
- Welding, Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and Registered Nursing (LPN to RN)
- Applicants must demonstrate academic and extra-curricular involvement worthy of MTC’s highest scholarship award.
Applicable Institutions:
Mitchell Technical College
Questions:
Robin Jacobsen
605.995.7144
robin.jacobsen@mitchelltech.edu
