What is the Freedom Scholarship?
The Freedom Scholarship is a need-based scholarship for South Dakotans who plan to live and work in South Dakota after graduation. The scholarship is administered by the South Dakota Freedom Board and managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation with funding from First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard, the State of South Dakota, Avera Health and Sanford Health. For more information, visit www.freedomscholarshipsd.com.
What are the Freedom Scholarship requirements?
Students who receive the Freedom Scholarship are required to meet the following requirements:
- Be working on their first bachelor’s degree and graduate within 5 years of starting college.
- Commit to live and work South Dakota for three years following graduation. Commitment to live and work in South Dakota can be deferred for students who attend graduate school or do military service following graduation.
What happens if I don’t meet the requirements?
For students who do not meet the scholarship requirements, the scholarship will convert to an interest-bearing loan, and students will be required to repay the scholarship plus interest. Scholarships that convert to a loan will accrue interest at a rate of four percent annually.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Recipients are selected based on financial need and FAFSA information. Students must be South Dakota residents, enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program, and take a full-time credit load in both the fall and spring semesters. Priority is given to students who completed the FAFSA on or before March 1.
Is the Freedom Scholarship renewable?
Students who receive the Freedom Scholarship in their first year may receive the Freedom Scholarship for up to five years. SDSU plans to award $3,000 South Dakota Freedom scholarships for returning students who received the Freedom Scholarship in the prior year and who:
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
- Are on track to graduate within five years.
- Submit the FAFSA on or before March 1.
- Continue to demonstrate a high level of financial need.
However, funding levels for the Freedom Scholarship may vary from year to year, and SDSU cannot guarantee renewable awards or award amounts for subsequent years.
How do I accept the Freedom Scholarship?
Before accepting the scholarship, please make sure you understand the Freedom Scholarships requirements. You can accept or decline the award by accessing your SDSU Financial Aid Offer online using the SDSU Financial Aid Self Service Portal at https://www.sdstate.edu/information-technology/self-service. Instructions for accessing the portal are included in the award offer you received via email.
What information do I need to complete the Freedom Scholarship promissory note and paperwork?
Before your scholarship funds can be paid, you will be required to complete some additional paperwork. Elli Haerter from the South Dakota Community Foundation will email you instructions on how to create an account and complete the required paperwork. Your scholarship funds will not pay until you have completed the paperwork.
Here are some tips to help you complete the paperwork correctly:
- Watch for an email in your Jack’s email account from Elli Haerter with instructions on how to create your account and complete your paperwork.
- Be sure to use your Jacks email address when setting up your account. Your Jacks email is what will allow your scholarship to help you cover your SDSU costs.
- Section 2 of the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form will asks provide your cost of attendance and your estimated financial assistance. You can find that information on the Financial Aid Self Service Portal.
- In Section 3 of the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form use the following when it asks for the full name and address of the school: South Dakota State University ESC Box 511A Brookings, SD 57007
- Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 605-688-4695 for assistance with your paperwork
Completing the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification
If you have been asked to complete a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form, you will need to include your cost of attendance and your estimated financial assistance. You can access that information on your Financial Aid Self Service Portal by:
- Selecting the Financial Aid tab and South Dakota State University in the campus dropdown and clicking on Continue and then selecting Award, then Award for Aid Year, and then the Award Overview sub-tab
- Then select Award
- Then select Award for Aid Year
- Then select the Award Overview sub-tab which will display both your Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Award information