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| Attribute | Details |
| Award Name | Dakota Corps Scholarship |
| Host Sponsor / Organization | South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) / State of South Dakota |
| Eligible Nationalities | US Citizens & US Nationals (South Dakota High School Graduates) |
| Target Student Level | High School Senior / Incoming Undergraduate |
| Financial Coverage | Full Tuition & Generally Applicable Fees (100% coverage via state & institutional waiver) |
| Minimum GPA Requirement | 2.8 Cumulative GPA (plus ACT 27+ / SAT equivalent) |
| Application Deadline | January 1 (Annual) |
| Official Website | sdbor.edu/dakotacorps |
Overview
The Dakota Corps Scholarship is a full-ride workforce development initiative created by the State of South Dakota. Designed to retain top-tier academic talent within the state, the program targets students who commit to studying and working in designated “critical need occupations” across South Dakota upon graduation.
The scholarship covers 100% of tuition and mandatory generally applicable fees at participating South Dakota public universities, private colleges, technical institutes, and tribal colleges. The award is funded through a partnership between state program funds and institutional tuition waivers, ensuring recipients incur zero out-of-pocket costs for tuition during their undergraduate studies.
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Nationality & Residency Requirements
To qualify for funding, applicants must meet specific citizenship and educational background conditions:
- High School Origin: Candidates must be graduates of an accredited South Dakota high school or an approved South Dakota home school program.
- Citizenship & Legal Status: The program requires applicants to hold US citizen requirements or US national status.
- International Student Status: The Dakota Corps Scholarship international student requirements exclude foreign students on non-immigrant visas (such as F-1 or J-1 visas) as well as non-US citizens without national status.
- Post-Graduation Service Obligation: Recipients must sign a legal agreement committing to live in South Dakota and work full-time in a critical-need occupation for one year for each year the scholarship was received, plus one additional year.
Academic & GPA Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must satisfy testing, GPA, and degree program criteria:
- Dakota Corps Scholarship eligibility for undergraduate students: Open to high school seniors applying within one year of high school graduation (or within one year of release from active military duty). Candidates must enroll full-time in a participating South Dakota postsecondary institution.
- Approved Fields of Study: Recipients must major in a state-approved critical-need occupation area, such as Teaching (K-12 special education, secondary math/science, foreign language), Nursing (RN/LPN), Accounting, Engineering, or Information Technology/Cybersecurity.
- Standardized Testing Threshold: Applicants must earn a composite ACT score of 27 or higher (or the SAT equivalent).
- Dakota Corps Scholarship GPA requirement: Candidates must achieve a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale in high school.
- Distinction / Application Quirk: Under the Dakota Corps Scholarship renewal requirements, students must maintain a cumulative 2.8 GPA in college to keep their funding. However, unlike strict state programs where a single drop in GPA causes permanent forfeiture, Dakota Corps provides a one-time “break” in eligibility. If a student’s GPA falls below 2.8 once, funding is suspended until they raise it back to 2.8. If their GPA falls below 2.8 a second time, the scholarship is permanently revoked.
Application Materials Needed
To complete the application packet through the South Dakota Board of Regents electronic portal, candidates must submit:
- Official Online Application: Personal, high school, and college enrollment information.
- High School Transcripts: Verifying a minimum 2.8 GPA and official graduation details.
- Official ACT/SAT Score Reports: Verifying a composite ACT of 27 or higher.
- Service Agreement Form: Signed commitment agreeing to the post-graduation South Dakota workforce obligation.
- Resume & Activity Log: Extracurricular participation, leadership roles, honors, and community service involvement.
Step-by-Step How to Apply
Follow these steps to submit your application prior to the Dakota Corps Scholarship application deadline:
- Verify Major Alignment: Confirm that your intended college major prepares you directly for a state-designated critical-need occupation.
- Secure Qualifying Test Scores: Take the ACT or SAT early to ensure your composite score reaches 27 or higher.
- Request Transcripts: Ask your high school guidance counselor to upload your official transcript to the SDBOR portal.
- Complete the Online Portal Submission: Fill out the student application and upload your activity summary on the SDBOR website.
- Submit Before the Cutoff: Ensure all forms and verified test scores are finalized prior to the January 1 annual application deadline.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for the Dakota Corps Scholarship?
No, international students on non-immigrant visas (F-1/J-1) are not eligible. Applicants must be US citizens or US nationals who graduated from a South Dakota high school.
Is the Dakota Corps Scholarship renewable for all 4 years of undergraduate study?
Yes, the scholarship is renewable for up to 4 academic years (or the standard duration of the degree program). Recipients must maintain a 2.8 cumulative college GPA and remain enrolled full-time in an approved critical-need major.
What is the minimum GPA required to qualify for the Dakota Corps Scholarship?
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale alongside a minimum composite ACT score of 27.
For more local grants, merit awards, and regional funding across all 50 states, check out our master USA State Scholarships Directory.
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