South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship

The South Dakota Legislature authorized the Regents Scholarship Program in 2003 to allow South Dakota's most academically accomplished high school graduates to receive an affordable education at any university, college, or technical school in South Dakota that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  In 2004, the Legislature renamed the scholarship the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and authorized funding from the state of South Dakota's Education Enhancement Trust Fund, beginning with high school graduating classes in 2004.

Scholarship Amounts​

Starting in Fall 2023, the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship provides up to $7,500 over four years to a qualifying student who attends an eligible higher education institution in South Dakota.  Recipients may participate in the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship program for the equivalent of four academic years (eight consecutive fall and spring terms), or until attaining a baccalaureate degree.  During each academic year, one-half of the annual scholarship award will be distributed at the beginning of the fall semester and the other half distributed at the beginning of the spring semester:

• $1,500 1st year of attendance
• $1,500 2nd year of attendance
• $1,500 3rd year of attendance
• $3,000 4th year of attendance

NOTE:  Students that entered the program prior to July 1, 2023 and are already receiving the scholarship will remain under the previous $6,500 funding structure.

Participating Institutions​

• Augustana University​
• Northern State University
• Black Hills State University
• South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
• Dakota State University
• ​South Dakota State University
• ​Dakota Wesleyan University
• ​Southeast Technical College
• Lake Area Technical College
• University of Sioux Falls
• Mitchell Technical College
• ​University of South Dakota
• Mount Marty ​Univers​ity​
• Western Dakota Technical College

Students seeking to establish their initial eligibility in the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship program must complete the application at the link online.

The scholarship application website uses the same sign on as the 6 public universities (BOR Institutions) - therefore students who have taken Dual Credit coursework or those that have applied to a BOR Institution and have a student ID and password, will be able to log into the site using the same log in information used to access course materials.   Other students will be able to create an account and log in to apply.

Due Dates

Complete application packages are due to institutional representatives by no later than September 1st for those seeking initial enrollment during the Fall term, and no later than January 15th for those seeking initial enrollment during the Spring term.  However, it is recommended that the initial scholarship application and transcript be submitted by June 1st when establishing eligibility for the Fall term and November 1st for the Spring term so that the financial aid office can begin to work with eligible students to package a scholarship award in a more timely manner.