South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship recognizes academically accomplished high-school graduates who continue at an eligible institution in South Dakota. The Board of Regents advertises up to $7,500 over four years; its published schedule distributes $1,500 in each of the first three years and $3,000 in the fourth. Funds are disbursed by semester, and eligibility does not eliminate other attendance costs. One eligibility route requires South Dakota residency at high-school
About South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship recognizes academically accomplished high-school graduates who continue at an eligible institution in South Dakota. The Board of Regents advertises up to $7,500 over four years; its published schedule distributes $1,500 in each of the first three years and $3,000 in the fourth. Funds are disbursed by semester, and eligibility does not eliminate other attendance costs.
One eligibility route requires South Dakota residency at high-school graduation, an ACT composite or superscore of at least 24 (or an SAT total of 1180), and one of the Board’s specified curriculum-and-GPA pathways. A second route is test-score based; the Board portal maintains the details and documentation for each graduating class. Students apply through the program and should confirm that their chosen institution participates rather than assuming every campus qualifies.
Renewal requires a cumulative 3.0 GPA and credit-completion milestones: 30 credits before the third funded semester, 60 before the fifth, and 90 before the seventh. The official timeline says the Fall 2027 funding application opens November 1, 2026; dates from earlier cycles should not be carried forward automatically. Coordinate the application, credit tracking, and any permitted exception request with the campus financial-aid contact.
Who it serves and what it can cover: The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship recognizes academically accomplished high-school graduates who continue at an eligible institution in South Dakota. The Board of Regents advertises up to $7,500 over four years; its published schedule distributes $1,500 in each of the first three years and $3,000 in the fourth. Funds are disbursed by semester, and eligibility does not eliminate other attendance costs. One eligibility route requires South Dakota residency at high-school graduation, an ACT composite or superscore of at least 24 (or an SAT total of 1180), and one of the Board’s specified curriculum-and-GPA pathways. A second route is test-score based; the Board portal maintains the details and documentation for each graduating class. Students apply through the program and should confirm that their chosen institution participates rather than assuming every campus qualifies.
How to apply or get help: Renewal requires a cumulative 3.0 GPA and credit-completion milestones: 30 credits before the third funded semester, 60 before the fifth, and 90 before the seventh. The official timeline says the Fall 2027 funding application opens November 1, 2026; dates from earlier cycles should not be carried forward automatically. Coordinate the application, credit tracking, and any permitted exception request with the campus financial-aid contact. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
State college scholarship and aid program