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Outside Scholarships

Outside Scholarship Processing

Do you have an outside scholarship? The Lake Area Tech Foundation Office processes all outside scholarships that students receive from private and nonprofit institutions, corporations, or other organizations. Students with an outside scholarship should bring their check or copy of the award letter to the Foundation office to ensure it is applied to their account.

Outside Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to internal scholarship opportunities offered through Lake Area Tech, there are many outside scholarships* offered to students attending college by local, regional, state, and nationwide businesses and organizations. Our Financial Aid office at Lake Area Tech has compiled a list of scholarship opportunities below that are available to incoming and returning students. Students wishing to apply for one or more of these scholarships will need to apply for each scholarship individually. It takes a fair amount of time to apply, however the payoff can be tremendous!

*Disclaimer: LATC does not endorse any of the businesses, organizations, or scholarships listed below. This information is provided as a service. Please contact the LATC Financial Aid Office for more information.

South Dakota Scholarships

The following scholarships provide students attending South Dakota post-secondary colleges amazing opportunities! Build Dakota is a full-ride scholarship. We urge students to learn more about these opportunities through each of the respective websites (links below). Recipients of these scholarships graduate from college nearly or completely debt-free!

Build Dakota Scholarship

Deadline: March 31

  • Full-ride scholarship covering tuition & fees, books, and other required program requirements
  • For students enrolled in a high-need workforce area program at one of the four technical institutes
  • Enroll in a program determined to be a high-need workforce area
  • Work full-time in South Dakota for a minimum of three years
  • Programs may change – check website for the latest information

More information: https://www.builddakotascholarships.com/

Check out LATC’s Build Dakota Scholarship page: Build Dakota Scholarships

Jump Start Scholarship

Deadline: September 1

  • Students who graduate from a South Dakota public high school in 3 years or less
  • No student who enrolls in any part of 4th year of high school is eligible
  • Enroll in an accredited institution located in South Dakota within 1 year of high school graduation.
  • Must be a South Dakota resident
  • Applicable to first year only
  • Dollar amount varies and is based on state’s per student cost to educate

Apply at: https://www.sdbor.edu/

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship

Deadline: September 1

  • Attend a postsecondary school in South Dakota
  • $1,300 for 3 years and $2,600 for final year
  • Must be a South Dakota resident
  • Eligibility requirements include minimum GPA, minimum ACT scores, curriculum requirements, etc.

Apply at: https://sdos.sdbor.edu/

Other South Dakota & Regional Scholarships

There are several scholarships that are specifically for students enrolled in South Dakota post-secondary schools. This is a general overview of each of those scholarships. For more detailed information, including eligibility criteria, please check out the specific scholarship website.

Scholarships in Conservation SD Chapter – Soil and Water Conservation Society

Deadline: March 31, 2023
The South Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Society will offer two $1000 scholarships for students who are enrolled in an agricultural or natural resource conservation related major.  The fillable application form and the program guidelines can be found here: https://sdswcs.wixsite.com/website/scholarship

Black Hills Home Builders Association Scholarships

Deadline: April 7, 2023

The Black Hills Home Builders Association is accepting scholarship applications for two $1,000.00 scholarships for students from Black Hills area schools and colleges, with preference given to family members or employees affiliated with the Black Hills Home Builders Association. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize the student’s academic excellence, as well as the Black Hills Home Builders Association’s member affiliated with the student who is applying and the member’s active participation in the association, if applicable. All applications should be completed and submitted to the Black Hills Home Builders Association located at 1760 Rand Rd. Rapid City, SD 57702 or email to executive@blackhillshomebuilders.com

Scholarship application available here: https://www.blackhillshomebuilders.com/scholarship-information

Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Scholarship

Deadline: April 14, 2023

The Richard Hagen Minerva Harvey Memorial state scholarship program is for enrolled members of American Indian tribes. Once approved, recipients will be authorized to receive up to four years of funding, depending on year of attendance. Funds are to be used for students attending a public or non-public accredited university, college or technical institute located in South Dakota. The Hagen Harvey Scholarship Board will determine the number of scholarships to be awarded. Annual scholarship award amounts include a minimum of $1,000 for each of the first two years of attendance, a minimum of $1,500 for the third year of attendance, and a minimum of $2,500 for the fourth year of attendance. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled the equivalent of at least 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average during the course of the scholarship period.

Candidates must:

  • Have graduated/will graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school
  • Apply within 5 years after high school graduation or within 1 year after release from active military duty (if that release is within 5 years of high school graduation)
  • Be an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe
  • Must attend a public or non-public accredited university, college or technical institute located in South Dakota

For more information or to apply click here: https://doe.sd.gov/scholarships/HagenHarvey.aspx

South Dakota Retailers Association Scholarships

Deadline: April 18, 2023

The South Dakota Retailers Association has scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in technical colleges, SD universities, community colleges, and eligible online programs. Several programs at Lake Area Tech are included on the eligibility list. Last year, six scholarships were awarded in amounts that ranged from $2,500 to $3,400.

Find the eligibility list and/or apply online at https://www.sdra.org/scholarships.html

ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship

Deadline: April 28, 2023

Iowa Student Loan (ISL) is offering 10 Midwest Senior Scholarship awards that are $1,000 each to high school students planning on attending an eligible college in the upcoming school year. There is no financial need, minimum grade point average, or class rank requirements. The ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship is open to students who are:

  • Legal U.S. residents
  • Residents of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota or Wisconsin
  • Planning to attend, physically or virtually, an eligible college (including Lake Area Tech!)

For full details or to apply online, visit: https://register.iowastudentloan.org/seniorscholarship/registration-islmss.aspx?ref=faomwsfl

Iowa high school seniors: ISL offers 50 $1,000 Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge scholarships to Iowa students planning on attending an eligible college in the upcoming school year with the same eligibility requirements listed above except the student must be an Iowa resident. The application deadline is March 31, 2023.

Full details here: https://bit.ly/3WH8pZm

Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation awards more than 150 scholarships each year. Whether you’re a current high school senior, a current college student, or you’re obtaining a general equivalency diploma (GED), their organization offers scholarships to help you achieve your educational goals.

Apply online at https://www.sfacf.org/grants-scholarships/scholarships

Other Scholarship Listings

Bi Scholarship Opportunity

In an effort to nurture healthy communities and a prosperous society, Utopia Management endeavors to support higher education through this bi-annual $1000 scholarship. Utopia has been a strong supporter of higher education since 2010 through multiple scholarships and employee continuing education grants. Awarded every spring and fall, the scholarship is meant to support dedicated students in acquiring a career-oriented degree.

  • FALL Application Deadline: November 1
  • FALL Winner Contacted: December 1
  • FALL Winner Announced on Site: December 5
  • SPRING Applications Open: November 2
  • SPRING Application Deadline: May 1
  • SPRING Scholarship Awarded: June 1

Apply at: https://utopiamanagement.com/utopia-scholars-fund-application

AmericanMuscle’s Student Scholarship Program

Deadline: June 15 for Fall Semester, October 15 for Spring Semester.

Scholarships are restricted to those students pursuing an automotive degree or related field of study. Only students currently enrolled full-time in an American college, Canadian college, automotive engineering program, trade school, technical institute, or high school seniors planning to attend a college or post-secondary institution are eligible to be awarded a scholarship through this program. One scholarship for $2,500 will be awarded twice a year to students pursuing an automotive themed major. One scholarship will be awarded every spring semester, followed by one additional scholarship to be awarded for the Fall semester each year.

Apply at: https://www.americanmuscle.com/scholarships

AmericanTrucks Student Scholarship Program

Deadline: June 15 for Fall Semester, October 15 for Spring Semester.

Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited United States technical institute, 2 or 4 year college or university. With program in construction management, secondary vo-tech school or tuition bearing apprenticeship program in the traditional building trades (e.g. carpentry, HVAC, electrical or related fields of study.) Students pursuing certificate programs, apprenticeship programs, and students currently attending high school and will be attending an accredited school in the next academic year to one of the aforementioned programs are welcome to apply. One scholarship in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded for the Fall semester, and 1 scholarship will be awarded for the Spring semester each year.

Apply Here

TC Energy Build Strong Scholarships

Our scholarships are a convenient way to get financial support for school. Now with 750+ scholarships available across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, you could receive a scholarship valued at up to $5,000.

TC Energy is proud to help build strong communities, develop the next generation of community leaders and provide a skilled workforce for our industry.

  • Enrolled in a post-secondary institution for the up-coming academic year
  • A citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Located in a community near TC Energy’s operations or projects
  • Would benefit from supplementary education funding

Check out the pre-qualification form here

Indigenous Education, Inc. – Cobell Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

Both merit-based and need-based, the competitive Cobell Scholarship is annual, non-renewable, and available to any post-secondary (after high school) student who is enrolled in full time study and is degree-seeking. Applicants must plan to attend or be attending any nationally, regionally and industry accredited non-profit, public, private institution.

Scholarship awards vary each year | Apply at: cobellscholar.org

Financial Literacy Importance Scholarship

Deadline: April 1, 2023

Amount: $500

Women in Technology Scholarship

Deadline: April 1, 2023

Amount: $500

Climate Conservation Scholarship

Deadline: April 1, 2023

Amount: $500

Athletics Scholarship

Deadline: April 1, 2023

Amount: $500

Free Scholarship Search Engines and Scholarship Search Tips

Additionally, we’ve provided a list of reputable search engines below that may be useful in finding other scholarship opportunities. Please take time to explore the opportunities offered through these search engines. Consider your talents (e.g., academics, athletic, fine arts, etc.) and apply for scholarship in these areas.

Mapping Your Future, a nonprofit organization committed to helping students, families, and schools navigate the higher education and financial aid process, has created a Scholarship Search Tips flier to help you find ways to fund your college education through their free scholarship search tips. It also includes helpful advice on scams.

We know searching for applicable scholarships can be overwhelming! Our best advice is to start in your hometown and explore all of the scholarship opportunities offered there. The following tips from Federal Student Aid will help get the search started off on the right foot. Consider your local:

  • Churches
  • Clubs/organizations (such as Rotary)
  • Foundations
  • Businesses
  • Your high school counselor’s office 
  • Your local library’s reference section
  • Your parents’ place of employment

Scholarship Scam Alert Information

The internet holds a vast amount of information regarding scholarship opportunities. We caution you, however, to use your discretion as not all sites are reputable (i.e., those that ask for a registration fee and/or offer guarantees). Start with our list!