Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Scholarships: There are several scholarships available online for students attending technical schools. Please review the applications at www.sfacf.org.

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for the 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. The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship provides $5,000 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. Scholarship requirements can be found here. Completed applications and high school transcripts should be forwarded to:

Jim Rokusek
Director of Students
Southeast Technical Institute
2320 N Career Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57107

Great Lakes National Scholarship Program:If you are a student majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) disciplines, they may be eligible to receive $2,500 scholarships under the new Great Lakes National Scholarship Program. Up to 750 scholarships totaling $1.875 million will be awarded to new and continuing students who qualify.

The scholarship program reflects Great Lakes' ongoing commitment to help change lives for the better through higher education.

To be eligible, a student must:

• Be enrolled full-time with a major in a STEM discipline at a public or private two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Demonstrate financial need.

Scholarship applications will be accepted through May 11, 2012, or until 20,000 applications have been received. Finalists will be notified by June 1, 2012.

The Great Lakes National Scholarship Program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America. Scholarship Management Services is the nation's premier manager of scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

To learn more about the scholarship program and how your students can apply online, visit Scholarship America.

Nursing Education Assistance Loan Program

The 1989 South Dakota Legislature authorized a nursing education loan program to provide assistance to qualified South Dakota residents who are admitted into an educational program for preparation of licensed practical nurses or registered nurses, or a nursing degree enhancement program. Funding for the loan program is generated through a $10 fee charged to LPNs and RNs at the time of licensure. The number and amount of each loan is determined annually by South Dakota Board of Nursing, not to exceed $1,000 per academic year.

Loan monies may be used only for direct education expenses such as tuition, books, and fees. Room and board are not considered direct educational expenses.

A promissory note for the amount of the loan plus accrued interest is required before loan monies are disbursed. If multiple awards are granted to an individual, the awards will be consolidated into one total amount for purposes of establishing terms of repayment. Equal portions of the student's loan amount will be disbursed directly to the educational institution at the beginning of each academic term.

The student borrower may elect to repay the loan either by:

• within the required time period of five years. 

Deadline for RN students in May 31, for LPN it is September 30.