First-Time Freshmen Scholarships

Scholarships in support of the Jackrabbit Guarantee Program

Dian and Harlan Stai Honors Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $20,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to outstanding high school seniors from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Students are chosen for Stai Honors through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 30 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement. Stai Honors recipients will be required to participate in the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.
The invitation to interview for this competitive scholarship will be sent via the mail to students by December 31. The on-campus interviews take place in late January.

Dian and Harlan Stai Honors Access Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $20,000.
Eligibility:Awarded to outstanding high school seniors from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Students are chosen for Stai Honors through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 26 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement. Applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualify as Pell Grant Eligible. Stai Honors Access recipients will be required to participate in the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.
The invitation to interview for this competitive scholarship will be sent via the mail to students by December 31. The on-campus interviews take place in late January.

Elton D. Schafer Scholarship

Amount: $2,000-$5,000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $8,000-$20,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to outstanding high school seniors from South Dakota each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Student must major in biochemistry, chemistry, physics or computer science. Students are chosen through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 30 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.
The invitation to interview for this competitive scholarship will be sent via the mail to students by December 31. The on-campus interviews take place in late January.

J. Lohr Scholars

Amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $20,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to outstanding South Dakota high school seniors each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Student must major in one of the following: agricultural and biosystems engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. Students are chosen as Lohr Scholars through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 30 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.
The invitation to interview for this competitive scholarship will be sent via the mail to students by December 31. The on-campus interviews take place in late January.

J&J Sisco Scholarship (Beca J&J Sisco)

Amount: Tuition and mandatory fees per year; renewable for a total award of four years.
Eligibility: Students must be from Mexico and plan to graduate from a high school in the United States. Students must also demonstrate financial need. Students will be chosen through a selection process that could include an interview.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.

Traducción Española:
Qué Cubre?: Matrícula y cuotas obligatorias cada año; renovable por un máximo de cuatro años.
Requisitos de Elegibilidad: El estudiante debe ser de México y tener planes de graduarse de una escuela secundaria en los Estados Unidos. Hay que demostrar necesidad financiera. Los becarios serán seleccionados siguiendo un proceso de selección que puede incluir una entrevista en persona con el comité.
Para Solicitar la Beca: Complete la Solicitud de Becas Académicas.

John F. and Lela F. Sandfort Scholarship

Amount: $5,000-$7,500 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $20,000-$30,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to outstanding high school seniors each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Student must major within the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering. Students are chosen through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 30 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.
The invitation to interview for this competitive scholarship will be sent via the mail to students by December 31. The on-campus interviews take place in late January.

Klingbeil Scholars Scholarship

Amount: $10,000, renewable for four years for a total of $40,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to outstanding high school seniors based on academics and extracurricular activities. Student must major in Agriculture Systems Technology or Agronomy or Precision Agriculture. Students are chosen through a competitive selection process that could include an interview. At a minimum, students selected for consideration must have a 22 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.5 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.

National Merit Finalists

Amount: $8,500 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $34,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to National Merit Finalists. This replaces, and is not in addition to, the National Merit Semifinalist award.
To apply: No application necessary. Automatically awarded upon confirmation of National Merit Finalist status.

National Merit Semifinalists

Amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $20,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to National Merit Semifinalists. The award is increased to $8,500 per year upon advancement to Finalist status.
To apply: No application necessary. Automatically awarded upon confirmation of National Merit Semifinalist status.

Schellpeper Family Scholarship

Amount: Progressive amount — $2,000 first year, $3,000 second year, $4,000 third year, $5,000 fourth year for a total of $14,000.
Eligibility: Awarded to outstanding high school seniors each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Student must major in a health science career field. At a minimum, students selected must have a 26 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.5 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.

SDSU Foundation Scholarships

Amount: Amounts vary.
Eligibility: Awarded to outstanding high school seniors each year based on ACT/SAT scores or GPA and extracurricular activities. Students are chosen as Foundation Scholars through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 30 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.
The invitation to interview for this competitive scholarship will be sent via the mail to students by December 31. The on-campus interviews take place in late January.

Stephen F. Briggs Scholarship

Amount: $6,500 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $26,000.
Eligibility: Briggs scholarships are awarded to new freshmen each year, half to students majoring in engineering and half to students in all other majors. Students are chosen as Briggs Scholars through a competitive interview selection process. At a minimum, students selected to interview must have a 30 or higher ACT composite or superscore (or SAT equivalent); or have a GPA of 3.9 or higher; and have extensive leadership and extracurricular involvement.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application.
The invitation to interview for this competitive scholarship will be sent via the mail to students by December 31. The on-campus interviews take place in late January.

Wokini Scholarships

Amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for five years for a total of $25,000.
Eligibility: Students who are tribally enrolled or have descendancy through a federally recognized tribe in the United States, including Alaskan Natives, are eligible for the Wokini scholarship. Additional information can be found here.
To apply: For consideration, complete the Academic Scholarship Application by August 1 if starting the fall semester and December 1 if starting the spring semester.

Additional Scholarships

Jackrabbit Journey Scholarship

Amount: $500-$1,500 first year only
Eligibility: Available for any student who enrolls as a full-time, first-time freshman and has successfully completed (grade of C or above) Dual Credit courses from SDSU.

• 1-6 credit hours = $500;
• 7-12 credit hours = $1,000; or
• 13 or more credit hours = $1,500.

To apply: No application necessary.

South Dakota Boys and Girls State Officer Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 first year only
Eligibility: Awarded to students elected to a state level officer position while attending South Dakota Boys and Girls State. Elected officer positions are determined by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.
To apply: No application necessary.