STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of South Dakota. For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

South Dakota Board of Regents

306 East Capitol Ave

Suite 200

Pierre, SD 57501-2545

1-605-773-3455

http://www.sdbor.edu/students/payingforcollege.htm

Please go to this website for all the information about each of the programs.

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship Information

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship awarded over four years to high school graduates from South Dakota who complete a challenging high school curriculum and maintain certain academic standards.

Eligibility Requirements

The South Dakota Legislature established five requirements that all South Dakota high school graduates must meet in order to establish their initial eligibility in the Opportunity Scholarship program. These requirements specify that a recipient must:

1. Be a resident of South Dakota at time of high school graduation.
2. Have an ACT composite score of 24 or higher before beginning postsecondary education. If using a SAT score, the sum of the verbal and mathematics scores on the SAT must be at least 1090.
3. Complete high school course requirements with no final grade below a C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (grade of B) prior to graduation (Note: One unit of high school credit equals 1 year of instruction).
4. Attend a university, college, or technical school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and that provides instruction from a campus located in South Dakota.
5. Enter into program within 5 years of high school graduation, or within 1 year of the student’s release from active duty military service (if that release is within 5 years of the date of the student’s high school graduation). Students seeking to transfer from a regionally accredited university, college, or technical school located outside of South Dakota may do so within two years following high school graduation and be eligible to receive a partial award.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Paul D. Turman

South Dakota Board of Regents

306 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 200

Pierre , SD 57501-2545

(605) 773-3455

pault@sdbor.edu

Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship Program

The Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship Program is established by SDCL §§ 13-55-37 to 13-55-46 and is administered by the Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship Board, under rules adopted by, and withadministrative support from, the South Dakota Department of Education.

1) Eligibility is limited by SDCL § 13-55-39 to persons who:

a. attend or have graduated from a South Dakota accredited high school;

b. have met high school graduation requirements established by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 1-26 by the Department of Education or be enrolled in a course of study such that upon graduation, the student will have met high school graduation requirements established by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 1-26 by the Department of Education;

c. provide evidence to the board that the student has been accepted to attend a public or nonpublic accredited university, college, or technical institute located in South Dakota;

d. apply for a Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey memorial scholarship within five years after graduating from high school or within one year of the student’s release from active duty with an active component of the armed forces if the release is within five years of the student’s graduation from high school; and

e. be an enrolled member of a tribe whose reservation is located in whole or in part in South Dakota.

2) Pursuant to ARSD § 24:40:12:03, when recipients from among eligible applicants, the Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship Board gives preference to those individuals whose achievements suggest a commitment to learning and leadership. Such considerations may include the following:

a. demonstration of leadership potential;

b. demonstration of exceptional talent;

c. composite score on the test administered by the American College Testing Program;

d. high school cumulative grade point average;

e. other facts or circumstances that demonstrate high levels of accomplishment, persistence, and drive for success.

2. In order to maintain eligibility, a student who has been awarded a Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey memorial scholarship shall:

a. maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 grade point scale;

b. be continuously enrolled for the fall and spring semesters in a public or nonpublic accredited university, college, or technical institution;

c. complete the equivalent of at least fourteen credit hours of instruction per semester; and

d. enroll in a public or nonpublic accredited university, college, or technical institution no later than the fall semester after the scholarship has been awarded.

If factors beyond the control of a student who has been awarded a Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey memorial scholarship prevent the student from meeting the requirements in this section, the board may temporarily waive the requirements of this section as eligibility criteria. The board may rescind a scholarship award if the student does not maintain eligibility as prescribed by this section.

3. The Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship Program is funded through the earnings of a trust established for this purpose. The Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarship Board determines annually the number of scholarships to be awarded, or to be re-awarded in the event that a holder loses eligibility. Scholarship award payments are to the institution at the beginning of the fall or spring semester on behalf of the eligible student who has received a Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey memorial scholarship. The amount of the award is as follows:

a. not less than one thousand dollars for the first year of attendance;

b. not less than one thousand dollars for the second year of attendance;

c. not less than one thousand five hundred dollars for the third year of attendance; and

d. not less than two thousand five hundred dollars for the fourth year of attendance.

Veterinary Medicine Tuition Assistance Awards

SDCL § 13-49-20.5 authorizes the Board to establish a tuition assistance program for South Dakota residents who have been admitted to accredited institutions of higher education in a course of veterinary medicine.

A. Veterinary tuition assistance awards may not exceed the difference between the resident and nonresident tuition at the student’s institution.

B. New applicants for veterinary tuition assistance awards shall complete and submit to the Executive Director:

1) a notarized affidavit of residency form;

2) a veterinary tuition assistance application signed by an appropriate official from the accredited institution verifying that the stated in-state and out-ofstate tuition rates are accurate and that the student is classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes; and

3) a signed contract agreeing to:

a. complete the undergraduate and graduate veterinary medicine education requirements to become a practicing veterinarian;

b. practice veterinary medicine in South Dakota within three years after completion of his veterinary education and maintain that practice for

a period of one year for each academic year the student received a veterinary medicine tuition award pursuant to this chapter;

c. pay interest on the amount of the tuition assistance at the category A rate of interest specified in SDCL § 54-3-16 to accrue from the time the scholarship is awarded, if the student does not complete the terms of the contract.

C. For every year that funds are appropriated, continuing students shall submit a new application signed by an appropriate official from the accredited institution verifying that the stated in-state and out-of-state tuition rates are accurate and that the student is classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes.

D. Effective January 1, 1992, new students shall be accepted into the program on a competitive basis, provided that available funding shall permit acceptance of additional award recipients.

1) An advisory committee, chaired and appointed by the Executive Director of the Board of Regents, shall consist of:

a. the dean of the college of agriculture at South Dakota State University;

b. the head of the department of veterinary science at South Dakota State University;

c. the state veterinarian;

d. a representative of livestock and dairy producers;

e. the president of the state veterinary medical association; and

f. one veterinarian who is a member of the state veterinary association.

2) The Executive Director, in consultation with the advisory committee, shall determine the number of new students to be accepted into the program, the criteria for their selection, and the amount of awards available to them.

3) The System Scholarship Committee shall select new students to be accepted into the program according to the criteria determined by the Executive Director in consultation with the advisory committee.

E. The assistance shall be awarded by semester. Upon approval of the application, an award notice shall be mailed to the recipient from the Board of Regents’ Office and a warrant shall be drawn in the name of the institution the student shall be attending. The warrant shall be mailed to the student and must be presented to the institution for partial payment of tuition.

F. If the state treasurer determines that the recipient of a veterinary medicine tuition award has violated the provisions of the contract, the recipient shall repay the amount of the tuition awards and pay such damages as may be determined by any circuit court in the state in which a civil action may be brought by the state treasurer. If the recipient is required to repay tuition awards and interest, he shall do so no later than five years after the state treasurer has determined a violation of the agreement has occurred. The state treasurer may forgive or defer all or part of the repayment required in this chapter if he determines that special circumstances exist due to the death or disability of the student or due to an extreme hardship which renders the student unable to complete his veterinary education or fulfill his service obligation.

Dakota Corps Scholarship Program

The Dakota Corps Scholarship Program was created by Gov. Rounds to encourage South Dakota’s high school graduates and college students to:

• Obtain their postsecondary education in South Dakota
• Remain in the state upon completion of their education
• Contribute to the state of South Dakota and its citizens by working in a critical need occupation

• The Dakota Corps Scholarship Program is funded by private businesses, nonprofit corporations, the Governor’s Office and the South Dakota Department of Labor.

More information can be found at the website

Jump Start Scholarship

During the 2011 Session, the Legislature approved the creation of the Jump Start Scholarship program which is designed to provide a student who graduates from a public high school in three years or less to receive a scholarship funded with a portion of the money saved by the state in state aid to education funding pursuant to chapter 13-13. As a result of the student’s early graduation, if the student enrolls at any college, university, or technical school accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools that provides instruction from a campus located in South Dakota, the student will be eligible for $1,771.34 to be distributed equally across both the Fall and Spring semesters during their first year of postsecondary enrollment. No student who enrolls in a high school for all or any part of a fourth year is eligible for the Jump Start Scholarship program. To be eligible for the Jump Start Scholarship program, a student shall:

Be a resident of South Dakota

Complete the requirements of the recommended high school program as established by the Board of Education pursuant to § 13-1-12.1, and be awarded a high school diploma by a public high school in three years or less

Have attended a public high school in South Dakota on a full-time basis for at least two semesters prior to graduating; and

Within one year of graduating from high school, excluding any time served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, enroll in a college, university, or technical school accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools that provides instruction from a campus located in South Dakota.

United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship

The Unites States Senate Youth Scholarship Program is a nationwide youth program that brings high school students to Washington, D.C., for a brief on-site introduction to the functions of the federal government and, in particular, the United States Senate.

The United States Senate Youth Scholarship Program Website can be found at: http://www.hearstfdn.org/ussyp/.

Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship

The Ardell Bjugstad Scholarship Program for Native American Students provides support for freshman Native American students who are pursuing studies in agribusiness, agricultural production, agricultural sciences, or a natural resources degree at any postsecondary institution.

Haines Memorial Scholarship

The Haines Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to a student majoring in education at BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU, or USD. The scholarship is limited to SD public university students who are classified as sophomores, juniors or seniors and are majoring in a program that prepares teachers

Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship

The Annis Irene Fowler/Kaden Scholarship is awarded to first-time entering freshman at BHSU, DSU, NSU or USD and who will select elementary education as their major field. Special consideration is given to students with demonstrated motivational ability, a disability, or who are self-supporting

Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship

The Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student who is classified as a junior at a public university at the time funding is received. Each South Dakota public university nominates one student for the scholarship

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

The purpose of the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. You may qualify if you teach full time at a low-income school and meet other qualifications.

View full details of the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program at the Federal Student Aid website .

How to Apply

1. Download and print the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application (PDF).

2. Mail your completed application and the required documentation (see below) to:
AES/PHEAA
Attn: AES Compliance Services, Loan Discharge Unit
1200 N. 7th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102-1444

If you need assistance completing this application, call us at (717) 720-2676 or email us at LoanDischarge@aesSuccess.org.

Go to the website for additional information.