University Scholarships
Listed below is a comprehensive list of tuition and costs at the University of Sioux Falls. Out of state tuition is the same as in state tuition.
FRESHMEN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship | Amount | Description |
President's Academic Scholarship | $28,000($7,000 annually / $3,500 per semester) | Offered to full-time incoming freshman students during the 2024-25 academic year based on academic achievement. Must have 3.85 - 4.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA. |
Provost's Academic Scholarship | $24,000($6,000 annually / $3,000 per semester) | Offered to full-time incoming freshman students during the 2024-25 academic year based on academic achievement. Must have 3.5 - 3.84 unweighted cumulative high school GPA. |
USF Achievement Scholarship | $16,000($4,000 annually / $2,000 per semester) | Offered to full-time incoming freshman students during the 2024-25 academic year based on academic achievement. Must have 2.9 - 3.49 unweighted cumulative high school GPA. |
USF Recognition Scholarship | $12,000($3,000 annually / $1,500 per semester) | Offered to full-time incoming freshman students during the 2024-25 academic year based on academic achievement. Must have 2.4 - 2.89 unweighted cumulative high school GPA. |
National Merit Scholarship | Full Tuition | The University of Sioux Falls offers a full-tuition scholarship to National Merit Finalists. The scholarship amount received in a student's freshman year will be renewed for the next 3 years. Students must submit documentation of their achievement from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Must maintain full-time enrollment and a 3.5 cGPA in order to remain eligible. |
*New students attending USF as full-time freshmen will be considered for ONE of the Merit Scholarships. Merit Scholarships are determined at the time of admission to USF. Unless otherwise noted, no additional application is required. USF reserves the right to limit the combination of merit scholarships with other University scholarships.
TRANSFER MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship | Amount | Description |
Transfer Academic Scholarship - Level 1 | $18,000($4,500 annually / $2,250 per semester) | Offered to full-time transfer students during the 2024-25 academic year seeking their first bachelor's degree based on academic achievement. Must have 3.5 - 4.0 cumulative transfer GPA. |
Transfer Academic Scholarship - Level 2 | $14,000($3,500 annually / $1,750 per semester) | Offered to full-time transfer students during the 2024-25 academic year seeking their first bachelor's degree based on academic achievement. Must have 3.0 - 3.4 cumulative transfer GPA. |
USF Transitions Scholarship - Level 1 | $10,000($2,500 annually / $1,250 per semester) | Offered to full-time transfer students during the 2024-25 academic year seeking their first bachelor's degree based on academic achievement. Must have 2.5 - 2.9 cumulative transfer GPA. |
USF Transitions Scholarship - Level 2 | $8,000($2,000 annually / $1,000 per semester) | Offered to full-time transfer students during the 2024-25 academic year seeking their first bachelor's degree based on academic achievement. Must have 2.0 - 2.49 cumulative transfer GPA. |
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*New transfer students attending USF as full-time undergrads who have completed 12 credit hours or more after high school will be considered for ONE of the Transfer Merit Scholarships. Merit Scholarships are determined at the time of admission to USF. Unless otherwise noted, no additional application is required. USF reserves the right to limit the combination of merit scholarships with other University scholarships.
Accelerated Nursing, RN-BSN, and Degree Completion Program students are not eligible for a Merit Scholarship.
PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship | Amount | Description |
Art | Amounts Vary | Art Scholarships are available to full-time students majoring or minoring in Art. To be considered for an Art Scholarship students must submit an art portfolio with the USF Art Department. To submit a portfolio simply email Kailie.hopkins@usiouxfalls.edu. |
Athletics | Amounts Vary | Full-time undergraduate students who are admitted to USF as degree-seeking and meet NCAA Division II eligibility criteria may be approved by the Head Coach based on talent and participation. This includes athletic scholarships offered in NCAA varsity sports as well as cheerleading. |
Media Studies | Amounts Vary | Media Studies Scholarships are available to full-time students majoring or minoring in Media Studies. To be considered for a scholarship students must submit a portfolio with the USF Media Studies Department. To submit a portfolio simply email Kailie.Hopkins@usiouxfalls.edu. |
Music | Amounts Vary | Music scholarships are available to full-time students. To be considered for a music scholarship students must complete an audition with the USF Music Department. To set up an audition, please fill out a Fine Arts Questionnaire. |
Theatre | Amounts Vary | Theatre Scholarships are available to full-time students. To be considered for a theatre performance scholarship students must complete an audition with the USF Theatre Department. To be considered for a theatre technical scholarship students must complete an interview with the USF Theatre Department. To set up an audition/interview please fill out a Fine Arts Questionnaire. |
*Students who are offered Athletic Scholarships may be eligible for ONE Merit Scholarship but are ineligible for most other University Scholarships, like Cougar Grant.
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship | Amount | Description |
Lake Area Technical Institute Transfer Grant | $2,000($1,000 per semester) | Student must be admitted to USF as a full-time undergraduate upon completion of their Associate's degree from Lake Area Tech. |
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship | $2,000($1,000 per semester) | Offered to full-time, degree-seeking transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa, have completed their Associate degree and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Student must submit a copy of their Phi Theta Kappa membership card at the time of admissions application. |
Southeast Technical Institute Transfer Grant | $2,000($1,000 per semester) | Student must be admitted to USF as a full-time undergraduate upon completion of their Associate's degree from STI. |
Adam Bruce Millikan Endowed Scholarship | $1,500 (approximately) | Student must complete application and major in Criminal Justice or Psychology. One or two scholarships are offered per year. |
Bradfield/Avera Scholarship | Up to $2,000(Up to $1,000 per semester) | These scholarships are offered to full-time or part-time Avera employees and their dependent children and spouses who are enrolled in a degree seeking program. Verification of employment must be completed each year. $2,000 for undergraduate full-time students. $1,000 for all adult learning graduate programs, which includes Accelerated Nursing, Doctorate in Leadership and Graduate Programs. |
Coo Tycoons Scholarship | $1,000($500 per semester) | Student must complete application, major in any Business program and maintain enrollment in Coo Tycoon's Investment club. This scholarship is renewable for 4 years provided eligibility is maintained. One recipient per year. |
Cougar Grant | Amounts Vary | This scholarship is awarded to full-time, degree seeking undergraduate students based on financial need, as determined by the FAFSA and academic achievement. This scholarship may be impacted by other scholarships and grants the student receives. Students must complete a FAFSA in order to qualify. |
Early Admission Nursing Scholarship | Amounts Vary | Applicant must be a high school senior who is majoring in nursing at USF and has been early admitted into the Traditional Nursing Program. The Early Admittance application will act as the application for this scholarship. Recipient will be notified by May 1. |
Endowed Scholarships | Amounts Vary |
Scholarships given by donors and friends of USF. New students who submit an application by January 1 and meet the donor's requirements will be considered for an Endowed Scholarship. Returning students have a deadline to submit their Endowed Application by March 1. |
Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship Program | $5,000($2,500 per semester) | Horatio Alger awards scholarships to outstanding high school students who are committed to pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities. In order to qualify, the applicant must be committed to complete a bachelor's degree at USF, demonstrate critical financial need, be involved in community service activities, display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and be a U.S. citizen. Application is available December 1 - March 15. |
Impact Leader Scholarship | $500 - $2,000 | This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students (sophomore - senior) who have been offered a position on the IMPACT student leadership team. It provides students with the opportunity to serve in positions of leadership around campus. Please contact student.life@usiouxfalls.edu for more information. |
International Student Scholarship | $3,000 | Offered to full-time students from a country outside of the U.S. Must show financial ability to cover the remaining financial requirements. Students receiving this scholarship are not eligible for any additional University aid. |
Lillibridge Entrepreneurial Scholarship | $2,500($1,250 per semester) | Applicant must study entrepreneurship in the Vucurevich School of Business and remain a full-time student. Preference will be given to students who come from entrepreneurial households, to students who own their own business, or to students who desire to be a business owner. |
Resident Assistant Scholarship | Amounts Vary | This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students (sophomore - senior) who have accepted a Resident Assistant (RA) position. This position requires that the student live on-campus in order to serve on a team and develop community within the residence hall. The scholarship amount is intended to cover the cost of the RA's room. Please contact student.life@usiouxfalls.edu for more information. |
Sports Medicine Assistant Scholarship | $3,000($1,500 per semester) | This scholarship is awarded to degree seeking traditional undergraduate students enrolled in the sports medicine assistant program. This program allows students to gain hands-on experience with student-athletes & athletic trainers and earn academic credit. Please contact Emily DeGroot for more information about the program and to apply: Emily.degroot@usiouxfalls.edu |
Tuition Exchange Scholarship | Full Tuition | The University of Sioux Falls is a participating member in two tuition exchange programs: Council for Independent Colleges and Tuition Exchange, Inc. Students eligible to participate in the tuition exchange programs are those whose parent works full-time at an institution that participates in any of these exchange programs. A limited number of students will be awarded each year. In order to apply, you must contact the tuition exchange liaison at the institution where your parent is employed. Recipients are chosen based on academic history and admission status. |
*The overarching scholarship philosophy for the University of Sioux Falls is designed to provide a residential experience for all students. For that reason, institutional aid is awarded to assist with direct costs for tuition, fees, on-campus room, and board. If a student does not live on-campus, institutional aid may be reduced by 13%, a calculation which more precisely reflects the average room proportion for total cost of attendance.
STATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship | Amount | Description |
Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship | Amounts Vary | The Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship encourages South Dakota high school graduates to obtain their degree in South Dakota for teaching, remain in the state upon completion of their education, and contribute to the state by teaching in a critical need teaching area. Eligible students must have a 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale and agree in writing to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical teaching need occupation for five years after graduating. |
Dakota Corps Scholarship | Full Tuition and Fees | A limited number of students graduating from a South Dakota high school with a minimum of 27 ACT and a 2.8 GPA will be awarded a Dakota Corps Scholarship based on the number of students who qualify through the state. Offered to full-time undergraduate students who are seeking a high-need major as recognized by South Dakota. Students must be selected by the state Dakota Corps committee as a scholarship recipient and agree in writing to work in South Dakota in a critical need occupation for as many years the scholarship was received plus one. |
Freedom Scholarship | Amounts Vary | Students from South Dakota with financial need working toward a bachelor's degree may apply. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA, graduate within five years, and commit to living and working in SD for three years after graduation. Failure to comply with the provisions will result in the scholarship being converted into an interest-bearing student loan. |
Jump Start Scholarship | $1,500(First year of college) | The Jump Start Scholarship is offered to students who graduate from a public high school in three years or less. Students will be eligible for $1,500 for their first year of college. No student who enrolls in a high school for all or any part of a fourth year is eligible for the Jump Start Scholarship. |
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship | $7,500 over four years | Students must graduate from a South Dakota high school with a minimum 24 composite ACT score and minimum of 3.0 cGPA. Students must also complete a set of high school course requirements and submit an application. The scholarship amount is spread over the course of 4 years following high school graduation. |