South Dakota's main state program is the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, a merit award worth up to $7,500 over four years for students who complete a required high school curriculum and meet GPA and test-score rules. Students receive $1,500 a year for the first three years and $3,000 in the fourth year. You qualify by being a South Dakota resident, attending a participating in-state college, and meeting the academic requirements.
If your student attends college in South Dakota, the Opportunity Scholarship rewards strong preparation. Here is how it works for 2026-27.
What state financial aid does South Dakota offer?
South Dakota's flagship program is the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, a merit award overseen by the South Dakota Board of Regents. It is the state's primary broad scholarship and rewards students who prepare well in high school and stay in state for college.
This works alongside federal aid like the Pell Grant. For how the federal pieces fit together, see our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide.
What is the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship?
The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship provides up to $7,500 over four years: $1,500 a year for the first three years and $3,000 for the fourth year. It is for South Dakota residents who attend a participating in-state college, university, or technical college and begin within five years of high school graduation.
Because the largest payment comes in the fourth year, the scholarship rewards students who stay on track and finish their degree. It is a merit award, so it does not depend on financial need.
What are the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requirements?
There are two ways to qualify. The first path requires an ACT composite (or superscore) of 24 or higher (or a 1180 SAT), completion of the required high school courses with no grade below a C, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. The second path requires a 28 ACT (or 1310 SAT) and meeting ACT college-readiness benchmarks across subjects.
To keep the scholarship in college, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. For how scholarships fit a full plan, see our guide to paying for college.
How do you apply for South Dakota state aid?
You apply through the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship process, generally during your senior year of high school, and you file the FAFSA for federal aid. Make sure you complete the required courses and meet the GPA and test-score rules, then confirm the steps with the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Your step-by-step path:
- Complete the required high school courses with no grade below a C.
- Meet the GPA and ACT or SAT requirements for one of the two qualifying paths.
- File the FAFSA for federal aid and confirm rules at the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship.
- Track your college's own aid deadlines.
Your next step
South Dakota's Opportunity Scholarship can pay up to $7,500 over four years for students who meet its course, GPA, and test rules, so the key is preparing in high school and staying on track. Complete the required courses, hit the GPA and test marks, and apply during senior year. Read our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide for the federal side, then create your free CollegeLens plan to see your real cost at each South Dakota school.
You're doing the hard, smart work of claiming the scholarships your state offers. That is how South Dakota families make college more affordable.
-- Sravani at CollegeLens