December Scholarships
USD Freshman Scholarship Due: December 1st
Final Deadline for scholarships.
SDSU Scholarship Due: December 1st
First-time freshman scholarships are awarded through the Admissions Office. The scholarship application for students enrolling in the Fall will be available October 1st. Priority is given to applications received on or before December 1st.
South Dakota DAR Scholarship For Military Descendants Due: December 1st
The South Dakota State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution offers this annual $500 scholarship to direct descendants of a United States Military Veteran.
South Dakota State DAR Scholarship for Military Descendants Info
Hagan Scholarship Due: December 1st
The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship designed to help high-achieving students from small towns and rural areas graduate college debt-free. Recipients must: a) graduate from a public high school located in a county having fewer than 50,000 residents, or b) graduate from a remote rural school located in a county having more than 50,000 residents. Hagan Scholars from 43 states are currently enrolled at 358 colleges and universities. Five hundred more scholarships will be awarded in March 2024. Information is attached.
The Science Ambassadors Scholarship Due: December 15th
Full–tuition scholarship for a woman in science, technology, engineering, or math.
Dakota State University General Scholarships Due: December 15th
Seniors planning to attend DSU in the fall
Dakota Corps Scholarship Program Due: December 15th
Qualified Applicants Must:
Graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school with a Grade Point Average (GPA of) 2.8 or greater on a 4.0 scale. Home schooled students will be allowed to provide supplemental information if this requirement is not applicable.
Have a composite ACT score of 27 or greater (or the SAT equivalent).
Agree, in writing, to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical need occupation after graduation for as many years as the scholarship was received, plus one year. The current critical need occupations for 2025-2026 are:
Teacher - K-12
Special Education
Foreign Language
Vocal or Instrumental Music
English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learners (ELL)
Teacher - Secondary
Math
Science
Career and Technical Education
Language Arts
Accountant / Auditor
Engineer (all fields EXCEPT mining, chemical, biomedical, and computer hardware)
Information Technology
Registered Nurse
Apply for the Dakota Corps Scholarship for a school period that begins within one year of high school graduation, or within one year of release from active duty of an active component of the armed forces.
Attend a participating South Dakota college as an undergraduate student in a program that will prepare the student to work in a critical need occupation.
Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Among those that qualify, recipients will be chosen based on GPA, test scores, activities, honors, and community service. Not all eligible applicants will be selected for a scholarship. From the total pool of applicants, a limited number of recipients will be selected. Also, some South Dakota colleges may limit the number of scholarship recipients they accept, or not participate at all.
Burger King Scholarship Due: December 15th
If you have a 2.5 or higher GPA, work an average of 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year, have financial need and have been involved in community service follow the link and apply.
Equitable Excellence Scholarship Due: December 18th
The scholarship is now open for applications and has a renewed focus to recognize students who show potential by demonstrating the qualities of leadership, determination and resilience as critical enablers of their future success. Graduating high school seniors can apply by submitting an essay describing how they exhibit courage in pursuing what’s possible, display strength in managing challenges and share wisdom with others.
Western Legacy Scholarship Due: December 18th
The foundation is dedicated to supporting our agricultural youth in higher education and organizations, programs, and projects that enhance services and education to the rural community. Senior student from South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming or Nebraska and graduating in the spring. Our SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM has grown far beyond expectations the past few years. We currently offer, at minimum, 16 scholarships annually separated into 6 categories for an annual outlay of $60,000.
The categories are:
Milo Rypkema Memorial Scholarship One (1) $6000 scholarship to a high school senior attending accredited university or college, payable in three payments of $2,000 each over three years.
Category I This Program awards five (5) $5000 scholarships to high school seniors attending accredited universities or colleges, payable in two payments, $2500 each year over two years.
Category II This Program awards four (4) $2000 scholarships to high school seniors attending accredited universities or colleges.
Category III This Program awards two (2) $2000 scholarships to high school seniors attending accredited technical institutes or 2 year community colleges. (Award are underwritten as Kevin Casey Memorial Scholarships.)
Category IV This Program awards two (2) $2000 scholarships to high school senior contestants invited to participate in the South Dakota High School Regional 20X Extreme Showcase.
Category V This Program provides two (2) $2000 scholarships to high school seniors participating in the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association State Finals.
CirkledIn Scholarship Due: December 31st
This is a quarterly scholarship of $2,500 that is super easy to apply with No GPA requirements, No minimum income requirements, and no essays to write.