Medical Assisting Program Approved for Build Dakota Scholarship

Cory Clasemann

Kelli Rogotzke

The Medical Assisting diploma program has been approved for the full-ride Build Dakota Scholarship at Southeast Technical College. The Build Dakota Scholarship covers 100% of a recipient’s tuition, fees, books and uniforms and is available for 31 of STC’s most in-demand careers.

“Our partners in healthcare across the region are constantly in need of medical assistants, and I think STC’s 100% job placement rate for this program is indicative of that,” said Cory Clasemann, president, STC. “With the option for students to potentially earn this diploma debt-free, the return on investment for a medical assisting diploma is better than ever.”

The median salary for medical assistants in the Sioux Falls area is $51,500.

In exchange for scholarship funds, Build Dakota scholars must commit to working in South Dakota for three years following graduation. For the 2024-25 academic year, Southeast Tech awarded 164 Build Dakota Scholarships, all of which were sponsored by industry.

“Our industry partners have been crucial in the success of the Build Dakota Scholarship at Southeast Tech,” said Kelli Rogotzke, Build Dakota Coordinator, STC. “We are thrilled to be working with more sponsors, awarding more students, and filling more critically needed positions in our region.”

When a company agrees to become an industry sponsor, they interview and select their scholars and agree to finance half of the scholarship cost. In turn, companies get to hire the scholars they sponsor after the student has earned their credential. To qualify for a Build Dakota Scholarship in the Medical Assisting program, students must have an industry sponsor.

Brittany Armstrong, a 2023 alumna of STC’s Medical Assistant program, received a scholarship through STC. Although her scholarship was not a full-ride, she said removing the financial burden allowed her to focus on her studies.

“My scholarship helped me financially and covered my tuition, books and uniform. Because of my scholarship, I could focus more on school and not worry about having enough money to pay for the next semester,” Armstrong said.

The scholarship window for the 2025-26 academic year will open Jan. 1, 2025, through March 31, 2025. 

Scholarships at Southeast Tech   Medical Assistant Program