Dakota Corps Scholarship

Dakota Corps provides tuition and fee support for students pursuing a critical-need occupation at a participating South Dakota institution and then staying to work in the state. Awards use public-school tuition and fee benchmarks; at participating private institutions, the school must cover the difference under program rules. Not every eligible applicant receives an award: selection is competitive and funding, occupation, and school acceptance matter.

Start by checking the occupation list for the specific cohort. For 2026–27, the state database lists K–12 teaching areas and subjects such as special education, mathematics, languages, science, and music, among other fields. Academic rules include South Dakota residency and high-school graduation, GPA and test requirements set for the cycle, admission to a participating institution, and an application with records, activities, and an essay. Cohort terms can change, so do not rely on an old form without confirming its year.

The acceptance agreement and promissory note are central: for each funded year, recipients must work in South Dakota in an eligible occupation for the service period set by the program, generally the number of funded years plus one. Failure to comply can turn the award into repayable debt. Before accepting, ask how a break in study, out-of-state job, or career change is treated, and confirm the current deadline and process with Dakota Corps.

Who it serves and what it can cover: Dakota Corps provides tuition and fee support for students pursuing a critical-need occupation at a participating South Dakota institution and then staying to work in the state. Awards use public-school tuition and fee benchmarks; at participating private institutions, the school must cover the difference under program rules. Not every eligible applicant receives an award: selection is competitive and funding, occupation, and school acceptance matter. Start by checking the occupation list for the specific cohort. For 2026–27, the state database lists K–12 teaching areas and subjects such as special education, mathematics, languages, science, and music, among other fields. Academic rules include South Dakota residency and high-school graduation, GPA and test requirements set for the cycle, admission to a participating institution, and an application with records, activities, and an essay. Cohort terms can change, so do not rely on an old form without confirming its year.

How to apply or get help: The acceptance agreement and promissory note are central: for each funded year, recipients must work in South Dakota in an eligible occupation for the service period set by the program, generally the number of funded years plus one. Failure to comply can turn the award into repayable debt. Before accepting, ask how a break in study, out-of-state job, or career change is treated, and confirm the current deadline and process with Dakota Corps. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information