South Dakota Mines Expands Scholarships, Nearly Doubling Awards for Future Hardrockers
For students dreaming of a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, the path to a South Dakota Mines education is becoming more affordable.
Mines has significantly increased its merit scholarship awards for incoming freshmen, nearly doubling the amount of scholarship funding available to qualifying students. Beginning in fall 2027, each of the university’s scholarship levels will see a substantial bump. The university’s first-tier Hardrock Scholar award will double from $1,000 to $2,000 per year for first-time freshmen with an ACT score of 24 or a minimum SAT score of 1160. At the top end, the Presidential Scholar award will increase from $7,000 to $12,000 per year for first-time freshmen with an ACT score of 35-36 and a minimum SAT score of 1530.
The scholarships are renewable for all four years and available for both in-state and out-of-state students.
The expanded scholarships are designed to help more students pursue a high-value STEM education while easing the financial burden of college for families.
"We know families across South Dakota and beyond are feeling real economic pressure right now, and we wanted our scholarship offerings to be part of the relief,” said Molly Moore, vice president for enrollment and marketing strategy. “Combine that support with the return on investment a Mines degree delivers, and this is one of the strongest, most affordable paths to a high-value career available today."
The increased scholarship funding is made possible by the success of the Mines Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement’s (CARA) New Heights Campaign. The campaign, which was the most successful in university history, raised more than $120 million, with much of that going to scholarships, helping remove financial barriers for current and future Hardrockers.
“Scholarships were at the heart of the New Heights Campaign. Raising more than $50 million for student support reflects what our donors care about most — making a Mines education accessible to students who will go on to solve the world's hardest problems,” said Marc Vaillancourt, CARA’s chief executive officer. “The generosity of the Hardrocker community is extraordinary, and we're grateful. Scholarship demand at Mines continues to grow, and so does our commitment to meeting it."
The new scholarship amounts will take effect in fall 2027. For high school students from South Dakota and surrounding states considering Mines, the university is offering a free application period from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, 2026. Students can apply here.
Students also have several opportunities to visit campus and experience all Mines has to offer. Upcoming events include Go to Mines, an on-campus open house, on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Pre Med @ Mines on Thursday, Nov. 5. For a complete list of opportunities to visit campus, explore the Visit Mines page.
Mines offers a range of merit-based scholarships designed to make a Mines education more accessible and affordable. Students and families can learn more about scholarship opportunities and eligibility requirements on the university’s merit scholarship information page.