Freshmen Scholarship Information
Capitalize on Value. With one of the most robust scholarship offerings of peer institutions, most SMSU students also receive financial assistance. The average financial aid package is over $10,900. With banded tuition, credits between 12-18 cost the same, so your tuition does not change.
Additional scholarship opportunities help lower the price even further. It is true that college is an investment. but it does not have to be an expensive one at SMSU.
Scholarship Priority Deadlines
Scholarships for freshmen students will be awarded the 1st week of each month starting in October each year. Students must be admitted to SMSU before the last date of the previous month and qualify to receive a scholarship offer.
Reminder: You must be admitted to SMSU to receive a scholarship offer.
Mustang Scholarships
PRESIDENT’S Scholarship
$12,000 over 4 years
- Academic Criteria: 30+ ACT* or GPA of 4.0
PROVOST'S Scholarship
$10,000 over 4 years
- Academic Criteria: 27-29 ACT* or a GPA of 3.8-3.99
VICE PRESIDENTS’ Scholarship
$8,000 over 4 years
- Academic Criteria: 24-26 ACT* or a GPA of 3.6-3.79
DEANS’ Scholarship
$6,000 over 4 years
- Academic Criteria: 22-23 ACT* or a GPA of 3.3-3.59
LEADERSHIP Scholarship
$4,000 over 4 years
- Academic Criteria: 20-21 ACT* or GPA of 3.0-3.29
*Requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 with qualifying ACT score
Additional Scholarships
College Now Scholarship - $1,000 per year up to 4 years
- Academic Criteria: GPA of 2.0 in College Now courses & 3.0 High school GPA
- For qualified College Now Students
South Dakota Dual Credit Scholarship - $1,000 per year up to 4 years
- High School GPA is over 3.0
- South Dakota Student Taking at Least One Dual Credit Class at a College
- Cumulative College GPA is Over 2.0
- Confirmation of College Enrollment
TRIO/Upward Bound Scholarship - $1,000 per year up to 4 years
- Apply for admission to Southwest Minnesota State University by July 1st of each year.
- Submit an official high school transcript (sent from the school)
- Submit a letter of verification of participation in Upward Bound to the Office of Admission. The letter should be from your Upward Bound Advisor/Coordinator
- At the time of making application to SMSU, must possess a GPA of 2.8 or higher in high school coursework
- Submit a final high school transcript
Other SMSU Foundation Awards & Scholarships
The SMSU Foundation offers a variety of scholarships and awards for incoming students. For a complete list, please go to https://smsu.awardspring.com/Home/Scholarships. The awards are subject to change annually.
To Apply for scholarships:
- Go to smsu.edu/scholarships
- click "Apply For" button
- Sign in using StarID and password
- Submit "General Scholarship Application"
Last Modified: 11/2/22 3:32 PM | Website Feedback