Scholarships

Coyote Beginnings

At USD, you can benefit from the Coyote Beginnings program. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD are automatically considered for up to $4,000 per year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA, standardized test scores and committee review. 

Students at USD - Sioux Falls can now benefit from the Coyote Beginnings program. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD - Sioux Falls are automatically considered for up to $2,000 per year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA and committee review.

The Coyote Beginnings may include a combination of funding from other scholarships or additional sources awarded to you. To receive full consideration, apply to the University of South Dakota by April 1. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed for any remaining funds, if available. No separate application is required for this award—your eligibility will be automatically assessed based on your admissions application.

Child of Alumni Program / Legacy Scholarship

This program provides a limited number of one-year scholarships to be awarded to incoming freshman students who are South Dakota residents and whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) graduated from USD.

 

USD Valedictorian Scholarship

Valued at up to $500 (up to $250 per semester for the first two semesters), the USD Valedictorian Scholarship is presented to high school seniors who rank at the top of their graduating classes during the awarding period. Recipients must remain enrolled full-time on the Vermillion campus.

Dual Credit Scholarship**

SD is proud to offer the South Dakota Dual Credit Scholarship to South Dakota students who successfully completed HSDC courses with USD. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years and is in addition to other awarded scholarship(s), such as USD’s Coyote Beginnings Scholarship and the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship. Premier scholars (tuition and fees or higher) are excluded.

Criteria

• Earn a "C" or higher in all High School Dual Credit (HSDC) courses
  • Any HSDC course completed with a D, F or W will not be counted toward the credit total considered for the scholarship
• Enroll at USD as a first-time, full-time student

Award amounts will be based on how many credit hours the students have completed with USD.

• 1-6 USD credit hours, $600 total ($150 per year)
•  7-12 USD credit hours, $1,100 total ($275 per year)
•  13+ USD credit hours, $1,600 total ($400 per year)

The South Dakota Dual Credit Scholarship will be in addition to other awarded scholarship(s)* at USD. For example, USD’s Coyote Beginnings Scholarship, the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and other awards are available to those who meet established criteria.

*The South Dakota Dual Credit Scholarship will not be in addition to any premier scholarship awarded by USD.*

Premier Scholarships (Greater or equal to tuition and fees)

Please use the online scholarship application to apply for the USD Honors Program and the following USD first-time freshman scholarships

George S. Mickelson Scholarship

Open to high school seniors with a 28 or higher ACT (1320 SAT), the scholarship covers tuition for a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester (up to 120 hours over four years), general fees, double occupancy room (funded by a Housing Scholarship) and standard board charges. Mickelson Scholarships recipients must be residents of South Dakota and maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average. This scholarship is available for eight consecutive undergraduate semesters and students enrolled in select disciplines are subject to additional fees. Finalists for Mickelson Scholarships are invited to interview. Deadline December 1.

Presidential Alumni Scholarship

Open to high school seniors with a 27 or higher ACT (1280 SAT), the scholarship is valued at in-state tuition and fees over a four-year period (15 credit hours per semester up to 120 hours over four years). Students enrolled in select disciplines are subject to additional fees. Finalists for Presidential Alumni Scholarships are invited to interview. Deadline December 1.

Dorothy C. Schieffer Political Science Scholarship

Valued up to the cost of instate tuition, fees, books, room and board for four years of full-time study in political science, Schieffer Scholars must maintain a 3.7 cumulative grade point average. At least one international travel/study abroad experience or a working internship/service opportunity may be included.

H. Walter & E. Joyce Rembold Scholarship

This $40,000 ($10,000 per year) scholarship is awarded to incoming Scotland High School graduates who must maintain full-time enrollment with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average for renewal.

Nolop Institute Scholarship for Medical Biology

Renewable for four years, this award is valued at the price of in-state tuition, fees, room, board and books for up to four years of full-time study as a Medical Biology major. The recipient must have an interest in research, maintain a 3.5 grade point average, complete 30 credit hours per year, and plan to attend medical school.

Walter A. & Lucy Yoshiko Buhler Scholarship (Business or Fine Arts)

Valued at the cost of in-state tuition and fees for up to 15 undergraduate credit hours per semester, the Buhler scholarship is awarded to exceptional students enrolled in the College of Fine Arts (even years) and the Beacom School of Business (odd years) and may be renewed with a minimum of a 3.5 grade point average, full-time enrollment, and continued pursuit of the business or fine arts degree.

 

Professional School Interest

Awarded to a select group of high-achieving academic scholar applicants with professional school aspirations, early admission grants conditional or provisional acceptance to either the Knudson School of Law or the Sanford School of Medicine. Completion of the USD Academic Scholarship Application, a cumulative 3.5 undergraduate GPA, and participation in the USD Honors Program is required.

• USD Knudson School of Law Honor Scholar Program - Recipients of the award earn provisional acceptance into the USD Knudson School of Law.
• Sanford School of Medicine Alumni Student Scholars Program - Awarded to five South Dakota high school seniors with a 28 or higher ACT (1320 SAT) and an interest in rural medicine. Finalists are invited to interview, and recipients earn conditional acceptance into the Sanford School of Medicine.

 

Departmental and Geographic Scholarships

Students who complete the online scholarship application are afforded first consideration for premier awards and these listed below. In addition, USD awards numerous other scholarships through the application process.

Allen H. Neuharth Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism Scholarship

Valued at $24,000 ($6,000/year), this award is for students in media or journalism who plan to be active in the USD student newspaper, The Volante. Finalists for the Neuharth are invited to interview.

Anne Sorensen Crowley-Lennox Scholarship

This $10,000 ($2,500/year) scholarship is awarded to incoming Lennox High School graduates who must maintain full-time enrollment and a 2.5 cumulative grade point average for renewal.

Beacom Family Business Scholarship

For Beacom School of Business students who are graduates of South Dakota high schools. Amounts vary.

Charles & Ellengray Gutzman Kennedy Scholarship

Awarded to one incoming first-time student each year who is a resident of Kossuth County (IA), this $10,000 ($2,500/year )scholarship is renewable.

Elma and Delores Haver Scholarship

This four-year renewable scholarship is awarded to an incoming Irene-Wakonda High School graduate (secondary preference to Gayville-Volin) with a minimum of a 23 ACT and demonstrated financial need.

Glenn E. & Barbara R. Ullyot Lakota Scholarship

Valued at $24,000 ($6,000 per year), the Ullyot Lakota Scholarship is awarded to American Indian students who are members of federally recognized tribes based on academic merit. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and be enrolled full-time. Finalists are invited to interview.

Rawlins Scholarship

Valued at $10,000 ($2,500/year), the scholarships are awarded to the highest-ranking graduates from select South Dakota high schools with preference to scholarship applicants. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and complete 30 hours per year.

Robert "Bid" and Jonette "Joni" Miller Education Scholarship

Valued at $20,000 ($5,000/year), this elementary education scholarship is for a student who aspire to remain in South Dakota to teach. Full-time enrollment and a 2.5 cumulative grade point average is required for renewal.

South Dakota Boys and Girls State Officer Scholarship

Students elected to a state or national position during the SD American Legion program (American Legion Auxiliary) will receive $1,000 for their freshman year. 

Army ROTC Scholarship

Amount: 100% tuition and fees for entire undergrad or $6,000 room and board per semester, $600 per semester for books and $420 living allowance per month while in school.

Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be between the ages of 17 and 26.  
• Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT (math/verbal) or 19 on the ACT (excluding the required writing test scores)
• Meet physical standards
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve Component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard)

To apply: Applications can be found at the Four-Year High School Scholarship page. High school senior application dates are June 1 – January 14 annually.

Contact your high school counselor or the USD Department of Military Science for more information.

Prospective transfer students may apply for our transfer scholarships. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members, in particular, are strongly encouraged to apply.

South Dakota Graduate Transfer Scholar’s Program

You can now transfer to the state’s flagship university with financial support if you were previously offered a scholarship to attend USD. You can take advantage of your original scholarship agreement and choose from the 200 undergraduate programs and 79 graduate programs USD offers.

As a four-year scholarship (eight consecutive semesters), the Graduate Transfer Scholar’s Program provides students with ongoing support throughout the remainder of their undergraduate careers and, if they choose, onto an advanced graduate degree program.

Recipients must complete at least 24 credit hours per academic year and maintain a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 or a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Eligible students will need to complete an initial consultation with Undergraduate Admissions and/or Graduate Admissions to form a plan for completion of an undergraduate degree and enrollment in a USD graduate program.  The intent to pursue graduate enrollment will be used to assess final eligibility for scholarship funding through this program.

University of South Dakota Scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa and Transfer Students

Scholarships may be awarded to eligible transfer students with a minimum 3.0 GPA or transfer students from two-year colleges who have earned membership into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and intend to pursue their first baccalaureate degree at the University of South Dakota. Students are eligible to apply after they are accepted and establish a USD login. The scholarships provide a minimum of $2,000 (up to $1,000 per year) renewable for two years.

Deadline: May 1st 

Apply for the Transfer Student Scholarship

Army ROTC Scholarship

Amount: 100% tuition and fees for entire undergrad or $6,000 room and board per semester, $600 per semester for books and $420 living allowance per month while in school.

Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be between the ages of 17 and 26.  
• Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT (math/verbal) or 19 on the ACT (excluding the required writing test scores)
• Meet physical standards
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve Component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard)

To apply: Applications can be found at the Four-Year High School Scholarship page. High school senior application dates are June 1 – January 14 annually.

Contact your high school counselor or the USD Department of Military Science for more information.

The scholarships listed below (besides the Coyote Beginnings and Valedictorian scholarships) are uniquely available to students at USD - Sioux Falls. Read the descriptions for additional information, then click the red button below to apply! A reminder that the USD - Sioux Falls scholarship application is open February 1st - May 31st.

Apply For Scholarships

Complete details on the unique criteria for USD - Sioux Falls scholarships are below:

Coyote Beginnings 

At USD - Sioux Falls, you can benefit from the Coyote Beginnings program. All first-time freshman students who apply for fall admission to USD are automatically considered for up to $2,000 per academic year. Coyote Beginnings is available to recipients for up to four years as a full-time student and is based on GPA and committee review.
The Coyote Beginnings may include a combination of funding from other scholarships or additional sources awarded to you. To receive full consideration, apply to the University of South Dakota - Sioux Falls by April 1. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed for any remaining funds, if available. No separate application is required for this award—your eligibility will be automatically assessed based on your admissions application.

USD Valedictorian Scholarship 

Valued at up to $500 (up to $250 per semester for the first two semesters), the USD Valedictorian Scholarship is presented to high school seniors who rank at the top of their graduating classes during the awarding period. Recipients must remain enrolled full-time on the Sioux Falls campus.

Citibank of South Dakota Scholarship 

This scholarship provides up to $1,000 for the academic year to a resident of Sioux Falls and/or the surrounding community with demonstrated financial need. Students may apply each academic year.

Crankstart Disc Scholarship

To provide scholarship awards in support of the Crankstart Re-entry Scholarship Program. This scholarship shall be awarded to non-traditional, low-income, and underserved students and administer an annual application process. Criteria for awarding include:

• Have experienced a cumulative gap in their education of five or more years
• Are at the undergraduate level and pursuing their first baccalaureate degree
• Anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation and are ideally between the ages of 25 - 50.
• Demonstrate to the Grantee's satisfaction financial need, socio-economic status, challenges and/or hardships, academic qualifications, achievements and promise and commitment to obtaining their degree
• Are either full or part time students  

CrankStart Re-entry Scholarship

The CrankStart Re-entry Scholarship is available to non-traditional students who have experienced a gap in their education of at least five years since completing high school. Preference will be given to new students enrolling at USD - Sioux Falls. A maximum of ten scholarships will be awarded annually in amounts up to $5,000 per recipient for tuition fees only. 

• A full or part-time student seeking first baccalaureate degree
• A cumulative education gap of five or more years 

Donna Ohling Memorial Scholarship

Offering up to $2,000 per academic year, this scholarship is an endowment to honor the late Donna Ohling, a former training officer and beloved family member of First National Bank in Sioux Falls. Donna was a student at USD -  Sioux Falls and this scholarship was designed for adult learners like her. Preference is for nontraditional students with demonstrated financial need and employees of First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

Journey Group Scholarship

This scholarship offers up to $750 per academic year to any undergraduate student. Employment with Sioux Falls Construction is not required.

Osher Reentry Scholarship

The Osher Reentry Scholarship supports degree-seeking adult students. This scholarship provides up to $5,000 for the academic year. Preference may be given to new students between the ages of 25-50 who demonstrate financial need.

• A full or part-time student seeking first baccalaureate degree
• A cumulative education gap of five or more years 

Osher Renewal Scholarship

Students who have received the Osher Reentry Scholarship in the previous academic year are eligible to apply for the Osher Renewal Scholarship. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 for the academic year.

• A full or part-time student continuing first baccalaureate degree
• Complete the essay requested at the end of this application describing:
  • How has receiving the Osher Reentry Scholarship had an impact on your education?
  • Have your educational plans or career goals changed since your initial application for the scholarship? If so, please describe how.
  • Please describe your current financial need, including any situational factors that have changed since your original application.

Pat and Craig Lloyd Scholarship

This scholarship provides up to $500 for the academic year and awarded to an undergraduate student with financial need. Sioux Falls Construction Scholarship

This scholarship provides up to $750 for the academic year. Employment at Sioux Falls Construction is not a requirement to be eligible. Undergraduate degree-seeking students should have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate financial need, and satisfactory academic progress (completion rate of 67%).

Smithfield Foods Scholarship

This scholarship is for the children and dependent grandchildren of full-time and retired employees. Scholarship amounts are based on FAFSA unmet financial need as determined by the USD Financial Aid Office. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA and be enrolled full-time. 

Workplace Technology Scholarship

This scholarship provides up to $1,000 for the academic year to a resident from the Sioux Falls area.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

The city of Sioux Falls and the state of South Dakota offer a number of additional scholarships designed to connect students to funding and reduce their cost of attendance at USD - Sioux Falls. See the list below and click their links to learn more about them and how to apply!

• Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship
• Dakota Corps Scholarship
• Jumpstart Scholarship
• South Dakota Freedom Scholarship
• South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
• Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation