Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Financial Aid Office has several ways that students and parents can get in touch with office staff.  Whichever meeting method you choose, scheduling an appointment is the surest way to get in contact with the person who can best help you and at a time that is most convenient for you. 

Please click here to schedule a phone, Zoom or to meet in-person with a Financial Aid Office staff member. 


Many college students find it necessary to supplement their personal and family financial resources in order to attend college. The Financial Aid Office will make every effort to develop a financial aid package (some combination of loan, work, grant and scholarship) to help capable, qualified, and needy students. However, the student should still be prepared to pay for a portion of his or her college costs; and parents of dependent students are expected to assist with the student's cost of education to the extent to which they are able.

Much of the information you'll need to know about financial aid is available here on the website, but feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions. We are here to help you through the process.

Financial Aid Programs at the South Dakota Mines

Financial aid programs at the South Dakota Mines include:

Students with Special or Unusual Circumstances

The results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are always used as the initial determination of a student's eligibility for federal student aid (grants, work-study, and Direct Loans). However, it is recognized that students and/or parents may experience unique circumstances that are not accounted for on the FAFSA. Such situations can be categorized as:

Special Circumstances refers to a change in financial situations, such as:
   -reduction of income due to unemployment, job change, reduced hours, or retirement
   -one-time income
   -unusually high or unexpected medical expenses not covered by insurance.

Unusual Circumstances refers to conditions that justify a financial aid administrator making an adjustment to a student's dependency status based on a unique situation.

Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss their situation to determine is a more thorough review of the situation is recommended.


Our Code of Ethics

The Financial Aid Office at South Dakota Mines strives to adhere to the highest levels of integrity in the administration of the various financial aid programs available to our students. We subscribe to the principles set forth in the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals. You can also view the South Dakota Mines Financial Aid Office Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest statement. We invite to contact our office if you have any questions.

Due to actions by Congress, information in this site relative to the Federal Student Aid Programs is subject to change without prior notice.

South Dakota Freedom Scholarship

The South Dakota Freedom Scholarship provides need-based scholarships to South Dakota resident students who commit to living and working in South Dakota after completing their degree. Find out more about eligibility and requirements.