About the Scholarship

The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship is a scholarship program funded by the state of South Dakota. It was established in 2013 by the legislature.  This scholarship was approved to encourage South Dakota's high school graduates to: 

1. Obtain their post secondary education in South Dakota,

2. Remain in the state upon completion of their education, and 

3. Contribute to the state of South Dakota and its citizens by working in a critical need teaching occupation. 

Scholarship Application and Deadline

The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship application is reviewed yearly by the Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship Board. Following their review, the application is released on the SD Board of Regents Scholarship Portal for students to complete.  The opening date is November 1st with a deadline of December 15th. To apply, students will log in to the SD Board of Regents Scholarship Portal. 

Eligibility for Award

• Agree in writing to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical teaching need occupation for five (5) years after graduating from a participating postsecondary institution;

• Agree, through a promissory note, that failure to abide by the employment requirement above will result in the scholarship being converted into a low-interest loan;

• Attend a participating South Dakota postsecondary institution as an undergraduate enrolled in your final two (2) years of postsecondary education and be fully admitted in an elementary or secondary education program at the institution that is preparing you to work in a critical need teaching area; and

• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

• Have a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and an average of 2.8 GPA for all major coursework.

Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship Award

The amount of the scholarship is based on the student’s remaining financial need, available program funding, and the maximum award established for the academic year.

The maximum award is based on tuition and generally applicable fees for thirty (30) credit hours at a South Dakota public postsecondary institution, even for students attending a participating nonpublic institution.

For students first awarded the scholarship in their third year of postsecondary education, the scholarship is renewable for one additional year, provided the student continues to meet eligibility requirements, accepts the renewable award, and signs a new Acceptance & Promissory Note for the second year’s award amount.

Note: Not all eligible applicants will be selected for a scholarship. From the total pool of applicants, a limited number of recipients will be selected. Also, some South Dakota colleges may limit the number of scholarship recipients they accept, or not participate at all. All applicants will be notified following the Board's decision​.

The Critical Teaching Needs Commitment

Each recipient promises, in writing, to enter a critical need teaching occupation in South Dakota following completion of the program of study.  The number of years a recipient must work in a critical need teaching occupation to fulfill the entire obligation is five years after degree is completed.  

If the recipient does not complete his/her commitment, the scholarship converts to a low interest loan which must be repaid.

Critical Need Occupations

AY 2026 - 2027

• All K-12 Teaching Positions

Participating Colleges and Universities

*If a college or university is not listed, please contact scholarships@sdbor.edu to identify if others could be added.   Only universities and colleges that have an accredited education program(s) can participate.

Critical Teaching Need Scholarship Forms

Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship -- Repayment

Use this form if you do not meet the continuing eligibility requirement for the Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship and are required to convert your scholarship to a loan for repayment.

Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship -- Status/Verification

Use this form to validate your status and employment verification.

For more information, select VIEW ALL CRITICAL TEACHING NEEDS SCHOLARSHIP ARTICLES.

For additional information not found, Contact Us.