Financial Aid

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Grants

Grants are need-based aid that does that have to be repaid. To apply for the federal grants you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Federal Pell Grant

Available to undergraduate students with no prior bachelor's or professional degree. The maximum award for the current academic year is currently $4,050. The amount of each Federal Pell Grant depends on your financial need, cost of education, and your enrollment status. The amount reported on your award letter is based on full time enrollment.  If you are enrolled for less than full-time, your award will be adjusted accordingly (6-8 credits = 1/2 Pell, 9-11 credits = 3/4 Pell and 12+ credits = full-time Pell).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Available to Pell eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The amount awarded is determined by the student's need and the availability of funds at the university. To apply for the grant, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by The University of South Dakota's priority deadline of March 1.  This grant is awarded on a priority basis based on the FAFSA receipt date and based on the availability of funds.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) 

Federal Pell Grant recipients who are first-year undergraduate students may be eligible to receive $750 and second-year undergraduate student may be eligible to receive $1,300 in an ACG award.To be eligible for an ACG for the academic year, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient for the same payment period.
  • Be enrolled full-time in a degree program.
  • Be enrolled in the first (0-31 credits) or second (32-63 credits) academic year of a two or four year degree program.
  • Have successfully completed a rigorous high school program of study, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education.
  • Second year students must have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

National Science and Mathematic Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant)

Federal Pell Grant recipients may be eligible to receive $4000 per year for your third and fourth years, if your major is in mathematics, science or a critical foreign language.To be eligible for an SMART Grant for the academic year, you must:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient for the same payment period.
  • Be a third (64-95 credits) or fourth (96-128 credits) year student in a four year bachelors degree program.
  • Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0.
  • Be enrolled full-time in an eligible major:
    • Computer Science
    • Engineering
    • Technology
    • Life Sciences
    • Mathematics
    • Physical Sciences
    • Designated Critical Foreign Languages