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University of South Dakota
Online Scholarship Application

The University of South Dakota is proud to honor academically talented students with a variety of scholarships and awards. Use this academic scholarship application to apply for the USD Honors Program and the following USD first-time freshman scholarships:

Priority review date is November 15 with a final submission deadline of December 1. 

• Allen H. Neuharth Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism Scholarship
• American Legion Boys and Girls State Officer Scholarship
• Anne Sorensen Crowley-Lennox Scholarship
• Beacom Family Business Scholarship
• Charles & Ellengray Gutzman Kennedy Scholarship
• Dorothy C. Schieffer Political Science Scholarship
• Elma & Delores Haver (Irene-Wakonda) Scholarship
• Glenn E. & Barbara R. Ullyot Lakota Scholarship
• George S. Mickelson Scholarship
• H. Walter & E. Joyce Rembold Scholarship
• Karen E. & Dale L. Hofwolt Education Scholarship
• Nolop Institute Scholarship for Medical Biology
• Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship (transfers)
• Presidential Alumni Scholarship
• Rawlins Scholarship
• Reserve Officers Training Corp Scholarship (ROTC)
• Robert "Bid" and Jonette "Joni" Miller Education Scholarship
• Sanford School of Medicine Alumni Scholarship Program
• Spearfish Area Scholarship
• TikTok Scholarship
• Ullyot Science, Technology and Math Scholarship
• USD Knutson School of Law Honor Scholar Program
• USD Valedictorian Scholarship
• Walter A. & Lucy Yoshiko Buhler Scholarship (Business/Fine Arts)

For more Information on these scholarships - or to search for additional scholarships available to freshman students at USD - please visit the scholarship page of the University of South Dakota Office on the Admissions website.

Transfer Students

After March 1, transfer students may also use the online scholarship application to apply for scholarships:

• University of South Dakota Scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa and Transfer Students (Deadline April 15)

Log In and Apply for Scholarships

Freshmen Deadlines

The priority review deadline for submitting a completed application for the scholarships available through the online process is November 15.  The final submission deadline is December 1 at midnight.

Updated, official transcripts and test scores must also be received by the final submission date.

High School/College Transcripts

An official high school transcript indicating grades and class rank at least through the junior year is required to complete the scholarship application. An official high school transcript is one that contains the original signature of a high school counselor, registrar, or principal. Faxed copies of transcripts are not official and cannot be accepted.

Transcripts should be sent directly to the USD Office of Admissions. If applicable, official transcripts from any colleges/universities attended should also be provided.

 

ACT or SAT Score

An ACT composite score of 24 or SAT of 1160 (sum of quantitative and verbal sections) is preferred to be considered for USD scholarships. Tests must be completed prior to the scholarship deadline for scholarship consideration.

USD considers the student’s super score regardless of how many times the test has been taken. When registering to take these tests, students should direct the testing agency to send the scores to the University of South Dakota. The ACT code is 3928 and the SAT code is 6881. To be considered in the application pool, official scores must appear on high school transcript or be sent directly to USD.

Letter of Recommendation

One letter of recommendation from a counselor, principal, teacher, employer, non-family USD graduate, etc. is required as part of the online scholarship application process. The letter should appraise your academic and personal qualities and promise as a University of South Dakota student. Unusual family circumstances or special personal challenges should also be presented. The University Scholarship Committee is particularly interested in evidence of character, relative maturity, integrity, independence, interests, and any special talents or qualities.

The application allows you to request a letter of reference via email. To help ensure your reference is received in a timely manner, please make sure to confirm the correct email address with your reference and alert your reference to expect your recommendation request. Please note that your application is not complete until the email recommendation form is completed.

The Neuharth and the Sanford School of Medicine applications require three completed references. Please refer to the instructions in the application to select your recommenders.

Transfer Students: A letter of recommendation is not required as part of the application process for transfer scholarships.

Federal Financial Aid

The University of South Dakota scholarships and federal grant aid will not exceed the cost of tuition, fees, room, board and a fixed book allowance. To be considered for federal financial aid programs, students will be required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the corresponding academic year.
 

NOTE: If you have a USD account, login here: USD Scholarships

First Time Users

• Lower case letters (i.e. a,b,c)
• Upper case letters (i.e. A,B,C)
• Numbers (i.e. 1,2,3)
• Alphanumeric characters or symbols (i.e. @, $, &)
• A sample password is Welcome1
   

Returning Freshman Applicants

You will be asked for your user name and the password you entered when you first created your account.