Top 30 South Dakota Scholarships in February 2026

The AISES Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Foundation Scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors and current college students from states served by the BNSF Railway. Students who are American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, First Nation, or other indigenous peoples of North America and are seeking a bachelor's degree in designated fields of business or science, are welcome to apply.Show Less

The Julius A. and Dorothy L. Jacobsen Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors from Montrose, Tri-Valley, or West Central high schools in South Dakota. Students who plan to seek a bachelor's degree in South Dakota and demonstrate merit through both academic and extracurricular achievement are welcome to apply.Show Less

The John Deere Scholarship was established to encourage Midwestern welding students to pursue their passions without worrying about the costs. Thus, each year, two scholarships will be awarded to Midwestern welding students. While the first ($2,500) will be available to a student from the states of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Missouri, the second ($2,500) will be available to a female or minority student, with preference to students from the states of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota or South Dakota. All applicants must be enrolled in a Weld Engineering or Weld Engineering Technology (4 year degree) program or a mechanical or manufacturing engineering program with weld emphasis. Applicants must have completed a minimum of one semester of academic study in their welding program and submit two letters of recommendation along with their application. If you're eligible, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

The American Legion Auxiliary Department of South Dakota Scholarship for Colleges/Universities/Technical is open to applicants who are children or grandchildren of veterans or members of the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligible applicants must be between 16 and 22 years old, residents of South Dakota, and financially unable to attend a university or technical institute after high school graduation. To apply, submit an original article of not more than 500 words on “Why I want to attend a College/University” or “Why I want to attend a Technical Institute,” in addition to three letters of recommendation, and a completed application. Don't miss out on this opportunity to further your education!Show Less

Are you an incoming freshman at Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, or the University of South Dakota who will be majoring in elementary education? If so, consider applying for the Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards up to $1,000 to two high school seniors with a 3.0 GPA, a passion for elementary education, and plans to attend BHSU, DSU, NSU, or USD. Recipients will each receive $1,000 in two equal installments during the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters. The scholarship was established to honor the legacy of a dedicated educator who spent nearly 50 years teaching students with learning disabilities. If you're eligible, don't miss this opportunity to continue Annis Fowler's commitment to education!Show Less

The Midwest Chapter Member AIST Engineering Scholarship provides financial assistance to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin who are members of the Midwest Chapter of the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) or their dependents. High school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors seeking an associate or bachelor's degree in engineering to prepare for a career in the iron and steel industry are encouraged to apply.Show Less

The Western States AIST Scholarship provides financial assistance to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin who are members of the Midwest Chapter of the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) or their dependents. High school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors seeking an associate or bachelor's degree in any field, including engineering to prepare for a career in the iron and steel industry are encouraged to apply. Editor’s Note: As of 2024, the Western States AIST Scholarship is not currently being offered. If this is incorrect, please reach out to us at [email protected] and we will update this page accordingly. Show Less

The Midwest Chapter AIST Computer Technology Scholarship provides financial assistance to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin who are members of the Midwest Chapter of the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) or their dependents. High school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors seeking an associate or bachelor's degree in computer technology or electrical engineering to prepare for a career in the iron and steel industry are encouraged to apply.Show Less

Undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16, consider checking out the Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship! The scholarship, worth up to $25,000 per year, is open to undocumented high school seniors/graduates residing in states where they effectively have no access to college due to high out-of-state tuition costs or because their state's public universities will not admit them (see "Eligibiltiy Information" for full list of qualifying states). Applicants must also be attending one of TheDream.Us's partner colleges (Christian Brothers University, Delaware State University, Dominican University, Eastern Connecticut State University, or Trinity Washington University (Women’s College)) to qualify. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, meaning recipients can receive up to $100,000 to help cover the costs of their bachelor’s degree program. If you’re an undocumented immigrant student who is (1) residing in a locked-out state and (2) pursuing a postsecondary education at a Partner College, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Are you a high school senior in eastern South Dakota who will be attending an engineering program at either the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University? If so, you may be eligible for the SDES Eastern Chapter Scholarships! Each year, the scholarships award $2,000 to multiple incoming engineering students residing in SDES' Eastern Chapter Area. If you're an incoming college freshman at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology or South Dakota State University, and you attended a high school in Eastern South Dakota, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

Agriculture is a booming industry, accounting for roughly 10 percent of all U.S. employment. If you're interested in pursuing a job in this sector, the BNSF Railway Company Collegiate Scholarship could help pay for your education! This scholarship is awarded to 10 students annually who are members of Future Farmers of America. Applicants must be graduating seniors or college students from California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Texas. Students pursuing a certificate or degree in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) career pathways are encouraged to apply. The BNSF Railway Company Collegiate Scholarship is worth up to $5,000 (distributed in $1,250 payments per year for four years). If you're interested in this scholarship, you may want to consider exploring similar scholarships for agricultural studies available through Scholarships360. There are plenty of other opportunities to help fund your education!Show Less

Are you a current or incoming trade school student wanting to pursue studies relating to the protection and enhancement of our natural resources and environment, the solid waste industry, or similar fields? If so, you may be eligible for the SDWMA Scholarship Program! Each year, the scholarship awards between $750 and $4,000 to multiple university students with a passion for the environment and/or the solid waste industry. While preference will be given to South Dakota residents intending to study at South Dakota institutions of higher learning, high school seniors and those attending college outside South Dakota are also eligible to apply. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The Beck's Hybrids Scholarship is open to FFA members who are graduating high school seniors or current college students from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, or Wisconsin. Members planning to pursue a certificate or degree in agriculture and customers of Beck's Hybrids Seed are encouraged to apply.Show Less

Have you graduated from a South Dakota high school and will be attending an in-state post-secondary program that will prepare you to work in a critical need occupation? Further, are you looking for help funding your post-secondary education, and are willing to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical need occupation after graduation for as many years as you may receive the scholarship (plus one additional year)? If so, consider applying for the Dakota Corps Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards the full cost of one's undergraduate tuition and fees to multiple students who meet the eligibility criteria and are passionate about pursuing a critical need occupation. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

Are you a college-bound high school senior who has lived in South Dakota for at least the past two years and who has a passion for golf? If so, you may be eligible for the SDGA Junior Golf Scholarships! Each year, the scholarships award $1,500 to six South Dakotan high school seniors who have previous golf experience and who will be enrolling in a post-secondary institution in the Fall semester following their high school graduation. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

Are you a North Dakota resident who has graduated from a high school in ND or a bordering state? Further, are you a first-time undergraduate student currently pursuing your studies in a post-secondary program in North Dakota? If so, consider applying for the North Dakota State Grant! Each year, the grant awards up to $1,375 per semester or $917 per quarter to many eligible ND students, depending on applicants' enrollment status. Grant recipients may receive the grant for up to eight semesters or twelve quarters of full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment, or the attainment of a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first. To apply, interested students must submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you're a North Dakota resident pursuing an in-state post-secondary program, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship awards ten $1,000 college scholarships to high school seniors residing in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, or Wisconsin who will attend an eligible U.S. college in the Fall following their high school graduation. To be eligible, applicants must be legal United States residents and be set to attend college in the U.S., physically or virtually, following their high school graduation. There are no income, grade point average, or class rank requirements. If you're a college-bound high school senior residing in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, or Wisconsin, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

Looking to pursue a career in retail or hospitality? The South Dakota Retailers Association Scholarship Program is here to help! The program offers financial assistance to students studying in fields related to retail, including business administration, the culinary arts, Auto Mechanics, Landscape Design, Pharmacy, Photography, and more. As long as you're enrolled in a qualifying program at an accredited school and have graduated from a South Dakota high school, you're eligible to apply. Plus, if you've completed at least 24 credits from a college or university or 12 credits from a tech school or professional training institute, you're good to go. Don't have that much education under your belt? No worries - full-time work experience in lieu of the education requirement is also acceptable. Apply and take the first step towards your dream career!Show Less

Are you a high school student residing in the American west or U.S. territories whose Governors participate in the bipartisan Western Governors’ Association (WGA)? More importantly, do you love where you live and have a passion for art? If so, you might consider applying for the Celebrate the West Contest! Each year, the scholarship awards between $200 and $600 to 23 lucky students who create a piece of artwork that most thoughtfully reflects an insight about the West or the applicant’s relation to the West. In order to apply, you simply need to email a digital copy of your artwork and your entry form to [email protected]. If you’re passionate about art and have some insights about where you live, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

Are you a college junior pursuing a banking or finance-related degree at an institution of higher education in South Dakota? If so, consider applying for the South Dakota Bankers Association Scholarships! There are five types of scholarships offered: the Alan M. Graff Scholarship ($4,000), the David S. Birkeland Scholarship ($3,000), the Herman Lerdal Scholarship ($3,000), the Joyce Hazeltine Scholarship ($3,000), and the Deb Gates Scholarship ($1,500). To be eligible, applicants must have expressed an interest in pursuing a banking or finance-related career, and must be majoring in business, finance, IT, cybersecurity, HR, marketing, or a related field. If you have a passion for banking or finance and are attending a South Dakota college or university, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

Are you a resident or full-time graduate student in the MAC region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) who is pursuing a degree in archival administration? If so, the MAC Louisa Bowen Memorial Scholarship for Graduate Students in Archival Administration may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,500 to one individual in the MAC region who is pursuing graduate studies in archival administration. Applicants must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA in the most recent academic year. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The PFund Foundation Scholarship Program is a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to make a difference in their communities. The scholarship awards range from $1000 to $12,000 and are given to those who demonstrate a commitment to leadership within the LGBTQ+ community. Recipients can use the funds to pursue academic programs or leadership development opportunities. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute Technical Scholarship annually awards $1,000 to students from an RMMI Member State who are pursuing a degree in a mining-related field or in engineering disciplines such as mining, geology, mineral processing, metallurgy, electrical, mechanical, and environmental. The monetary value of the scholarship will be sent directly to the college or university to be used as tuition credit for the winner. If you're a resident of an RMMI Member State and are pursuing a mining-related or eligible engineering degree at a two-year technical or trade school program, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

The Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute Engineering/Geology Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for students at a four-year school who are looking to pursue a career in the mining industry. Each year, the scholarship awards $5,000 ($2,000 upon initial application, $2000 for first renewal, and $1000 for second renewal) over a three-year period to a deserving recipient. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens and residents of one of the RMMI member states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, or Wyoming). Additionally, they must be pursuing a degree in a mining-related field or in one of the engineering disciplines such as mining, geology, mineral processing, metallurgy, electrical, mechanical, or environmental. The selected students will receive an all-expense paid trip to the RMMI Annual Meeting and Conference in late June, where they will have the chance to meet industry leaders and attend all of the technical sessions. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to jumpstart your career in the mining industry!Show Less