South Dakota Freedom Scholarship

The Freedom Scholarship is South Dakota’s first public/private partnership for a need-based scholarship made possible by the generosity of First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard, Sanford Health, Avera Health and the State of South Dakota.

Freedom Scholarship Application

Scholarship Amounts

Student Eligibility & Requirements

U.S. citizen who has maintained South Dakota residency for at least one year prior to scholarship application
Be degree seeking (working towards a baccalaureate degree)
Demonstrate financial need as calculated below:
- Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution minus financial aid offered
- Students with the highest need will be prioritized
Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- Incoming first year students need at least a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA
Graduate within five years
Commit in writing to live and work in South Dakota for three years after graduation (there is no requirement to work within the same field as your degree)
Acknowledge in writing that failure to meet these requirements will result in the scholarship being converted to an interest-bearing student loan

Freedom Scholarship Application

New Scholarship Recipients

To be considered for a Freedom Scholarship, complete the following items:

Apply and be admitted to Augustana University
Submit the FAFSA (include AU's code: 003458)
Complete the Freedom Scholarship Application
Meet all eligibility criteria

Scholarship Notification

Recipients of the Freedom Scholarship will be notified on a rolling basis as applications are received and reviewed for eligibility. Funds will be offered until exhausted on a first come basis.

Current Scholarship Recipients

Current Augustana students already receiving a Freedom Scholarship will be automatically considered for renewal provided they 1) continue to meet all eligibility criteria and 2) file their FAFSA by March 1.

Questions

Questions about the Freedom Scholarship can be sent to financial.aid@augie.edu.

Is the Freedom Scholarship Renewable?

Yes. Students may receive the Freedom Scholarship for up to five years based on meeting the following criteria:

Maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
Be designated as an undergraduate degree seeking student
Submit the FAFSA by March 1 and continue to demonstrate financial need

Please be aware that funding levels for the Freedom Scholarship may vary from year to year. Augustana cannot guarantee renewable awards or award amounts for subsequent years but will make every effort to do so.