What is the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship?

About the Scholarship

The South Dakota Legislature authorized the Regents Scholarship Program in 2003 to allow South Dakota's most academically accomplished high school graduates to receive an affordable education at any university, college, or technical school in South Dakota that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2004, the Legislature renamed the scholarship the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship (SDOS) and authorized funding from the state of South Dakota's Education Enhancement Trust Fund, beginning with high school graduating classes in 2004.

Scholarship Application and Deadline

Students seeking to establish their initial eligibility in the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship program must complete the application provided on the Scholarship Portal. 

To apply, students will log in to the SD Board of Regents Scholarship Portal. 

Initial Eligibility

Complete this application for students seeking their initial eligibility preferably by June 1st when establishing eligibility for the Fall term and November 1st for the Spring term.​​​  Applications may be submitted no later than September 1st for those seeking initial enrollment during the Fall term, and no later than January 15th for those seeking initial enrollment during the Spring term.  

Returning Students or Transfer Student Eligibility

Complete this application if South Dakota students who first attended a regionally accredited institution out of state and then returned to South Dakota to attend school within two years after their high school graduation date (or two years following release from active military service). Such students must meet initial eligibility requirements for the Opportunity Scholarship, as well as continuing eligibility provisions (GPA and credit-hour load requirements) while they were enrolled out of state.  If a student returns to South Dakota and applies for the Opportunity Scholarship, a partial award is made. 

Eligibility for Award

Eligibility for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship can be achieved in one of two ways.  

Option 1: Provides an opportunity with ACT* and GPA and Curriculum requirements. 

Option 2: Provides an opportunity with ACT* only. 

NOTE:  The requirements listed are established by the South Dakota Legislature and must be met in order to qualify for the scholarship.  *Super Score must be an ACT reported score and not one that is manually calculated by the Student, Parent, High School or Campus.

Scholarship Award

Starting in Fall 2023, the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship provides up to $7,500 over four years to a qualifying student who attends an eligible higher education institution in South Dakota.  Recipients may participate in the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship program for the equivalent of four academic years (eight consecutive fall and spring terms), or until attaining a baccalaureate degree.  During each academic year, one-half of the annual scholarship award will be distributed at the beginning of the fall semester and the other half distributed at the beginning of the spring semester: 

NOTE:  Students that entered the program prior to July 1, 2023 and are already receiving the scholarship will remain under the previous $6,500 funding structure.

Participating Colleges and Universities

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship Forms

Exemption Request (South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship)

To be used by the student: Use this form if seeking a waiver to either the Credit Hour Thresholds or Persistence Requirements.

SDOS Continuing Eligibility Audit Roster

To be used by the universities and colleges - Roster evaluation for continuing eligibility.

Scholarship Funding Correction

To be used by the universities and colleges - Submit request for a funding correction from the SD Board of Regents

Scholarship Supporting Documentation

To be used by the universities and colleges or prospective student applicants/students - This form is utilized to submit all supporting documentation required following scholarship submission.

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship (SDOS) Course Approval

To be used by the high school officials - Use this form if you are requesting a new course approval for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship (SDOS).

For more information, select VIEW ALL SDOS SCHOLARSHIP ARTICLES.

For additional information not found, Contact Us.