Strong merit options for high-achieving students across journalism, STEM, and leadership.
Verified Jun 2026today· HX-AUTO
Merit tiers31 automatic on stats
Last verifiedJun 2026Analyst HX-AUTO
Rules that bite at University of South Dakota
The trip wires we'd flag in a custom playbook. Each is derived from University of South Dakota's own published policy, not generic advice.
renewalRawlins Scholarships: renewal floor that quietly knocks awards out
Maintain 3.5 GPA A single rough term can end a four-year award here without warning if the GPA floor isn't met cumulatively.
Who this school is for
Students with strong academic records who are interested in journalism, medical biology, or public service will find dedicated scholarship pathways at USD.
Tuition / cost of attendance: Approximately $26,870 for 2026-2027. Source
Institutional merit aid tiers
Every tier below is sourced to the school’s own published financial aid pages. Renewal terms apply only if the student maintains the stated GPA.
Lesser-known scholarships at University of South Dakota
Named awards that don’t always surface on the main financial aid page. Each one has its own eligibility rules.
AmountFull tuitionEligibilityThe Presidential Alumni Scholarship requires participation in the USD Honors Program, a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and completion of 30 credit hours per year; it is valued at in-state direct costs and general fees.
AmountFull tuitionEligibilityThe George S. Mickelson Scholarship requires participation in the USD Honors Program, a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and completion of 30 credit hours per year; it is valued at in-state direct costs and general fees and includes prorated double occupancy housing and a standard meal plan.
How University of South Dakota compares across our verified dataset
253 of 281 verified schools publish at least one four-year renewable merit award.
University of South Dakota is one of them. The cohort minority (28 schools) only awards one-year scholarships, which means the four-year value families assume on a brochure quote isn't guaranteed at every school.
Sources used on this page
Every claim is checked against University of South Dakota’s own published materials. Below is the full reference set.