How many college & education resources are in South Dakota?

Women's Corner tracks 19 college & education resources for women in South Dakota.

Are college & education resources in South Dakota free?

12 of the 19 listed college & education resources in South Dakota are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in South Dakota have college & education resources?

Listings span cities including Brookings, Vermillion, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish.

What are some examples of college & education resources in South Dakota?

Featured entries include South Dakota State University (SDSU), University of South Dakota (USD), SD Board of Regents — Financial Aid, Western Dakota Technical College — Rapid City, Southeast Technical College — Sioux Falls.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

9 of 19 South Dakota college & education listings include phone numbers.

How do I pay for college as a single mom?

Start with FAFSA at studentaid.gov — single moms typically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant (up to $7,395/year, not repaid). Add state grants, Federal Work-Study, and scholarships specifically for single mothers (Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream, Jeannette Rankin Foundation). Many community colleges have Single Parent Programs with childcare, books, and emergency funds.

Can I go to college while on welfare?

Yes — TANF rules now count post-secondary education toward work requirements in most states, especially CTE/vocational programs. The CCAMPIS program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. SNAP students with kids under 12 qualify for SNAP E&T benefits. Tell your TANF caseworker you're enrolling — they often have hidden funds for books, transportation, and uniforms.

GED classes are free at adult education centers, community colleges, libraries, and online through GED.com and Khan Academy. The exam costs $36–$144 depending on state, and many states waive fees for low-income test-takers. Call 211 or search 'adult education' + your state. Most centers offer free childcare during classes.

Are there scholarships specifically for women?

Yes — AAUW, P.E.O. International, Jeannette Rankin Foundation (women 35+), Society of Women Engineers, Live Your Dream Awards, and hundreds of state-specific awards target women, especially returning students and mothers. Search Fastweb and Scholarships.com filtered for 'women' and your major. Apply to many small scholarships — they're less competitive than big ones.

Best College & Education in South Dakota — 19 resources

About College & Education for Women

Education resources for women include FAFSA-based federal aid (Pell Grants up to ~$7,000/year), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title IX protections against sex discrimination on campus, and dedicated single-mother scholarships through the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards, and Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation. Community colleges offer low-cost two-year degrees and trade certificates, often with CCAMPIS-grant subsidized on-campus childcare. AAUW funds career development grants and fellowships for women. GED and HiSET programs run through state adult education offices, usually free. This directory covers FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education, and women's scholarships.

College & Education in South Dakota

South Dakota circuit courts hear family matters in each of its seven judicial circuits. The Division of Child Support operates under DSS. Sioux Falls and Rapid City are the largest cities. Dakota Plains Legal Services, East River Legal Services, and the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

19 Resources

1. South Dakota State University (SDSU)

Public research university offering bachelor's through doctoral programs for women returning to or starting college in Brookings. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-688-4121 · 1451 Stadium Rd, Brookings, SD 57007 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. University of South Dakota (USD)

Flagship public university offering diverse degree programs including law and medicine for women returning to or starting college in Vermillion. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-677-5011 · 414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. SD Board of Regents — Financial Aid — Free

Statewide scholarship and financial aid information for public universities for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-773-3455 · 306 E Capitol Ave Suite 200, Pierre, SD 57501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Western Dakota Technical College — Rapid City

Technical education and career-focused programs in the Rapid City area for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-394-4034 · 800 Mickelson Dr, Rapid City, SD 57703 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Southeast Technical College — Sioux Falls

Technical and career education programs in high-demand fields for Sioux Falls area residents for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-367-7624 · 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Black Hills State University — Spearfish

Public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the Black Hills for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-642-6011 · 1200 University St, Spearfish, SD 57799 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Oglala Lakota College — Pine Ridge

Tribal college serving Native American women with associate's through master's programs in Kyle. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-455-6000 · 490 Piya Wiconi Rd, Kyle, SD 57752 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. SDSU Extension — Adult Education — Free

Continuing education, GED programs, and workforce development through SDSU Extension for women returning to or starting college across South Dakota. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-688-4792 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Northern State University — Aberdeen

Public university offering bachelor's and master's programs for women returning to or starting college in Aberdeen. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

605-626-3011 · 1200 S Jay St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. FAFSA — studentaid.gov — Free

Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply for Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at studentaid.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Federal Pell Grant — Free

Need-based grant of up to $7,395/year for undergraduate students. Does not need to be repaid for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at studentaid.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. AAUW Educational Funding — Free

American Association of University Women advances equity through education, advocacy, and research. Women can join a local branch, apply for fellowships, and access free salary negotiation training at aauw.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. P.E.O. International — Women's Education — Free

Multiple scholarship and loan programs supporting women pursuing higher education. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at peointernational.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — Free

Global volunteer organization of business and professional women that improves lives of women and girls through Live Your Dream Awards and local service projects.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Jeannette Rankin Foundation — Free

Scholarships for low-income women age 35+ pursuing technical/vocational training or undergraduate degrees. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at rankinfoundation.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Patsy Mink Education Foundation — Free

Education support and scholarships for low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at patsyminkfoundation.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Scholarships.com — Free

Free national scholarship search engine with millions of scholarships for women, minorities, and adult learners. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at scholarships.com with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. College Board — BigFuture — Free

Free college planning, scholarship search, and SAT prep from the College Board for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at bigfuture.collegeboard.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

19. Khan Academy — Free SAT Prep — Free

Free official SAT practice in partnership with the College Board for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at khanacademy.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many college & education resources are in South Dakota?: Women's Corner tracks 19 college & education resources for women in South Dakota.
Are college & education resources in South Dakota free?: 12 of the 19 listed college & education resources in South Dakota are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in South Dakota have college & education resources?: Listings span cities including Brookings, Vermillion, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish.
What are some examples of college & education resources in South Dakota?: Featured entries include South Dakota State University (SDSU), University of South Dakota (USD), SD Board of Regents — Financial Aid, Western Dakota Technical College — Rapid City, Southeast Technical College — Sioux Falls.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 9 of 19 South Dakota college & education listings include phone numbers.
How do I pay for college as a single mom?: Start with FAFSA at studentaid.gov — single moms typically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant (up to $7,395/year, not repaid). Add state grants, Federal Work-Study, and scholarships specifically for single mothers (Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream, Jeannette Rankin Foundation). Many community colleges have Single Parent Programs with childcare, books, and emergency funds.
Can I go to college while on welfare?: Yes — TANF rules now count post-secondary education toward work requirements in most states, especially CTE/vocational programs. The CCAMPIS program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. SNAP students with kids under 12 qualify for SNAP E&T benefits. Tell your TANF caseworker you're enrolling — they often have hidden funds for books, transportation, and uniforms.
How do I get a GED?: GED classes are free at adult education centers, community colleges, libraries, and online through GED.com and Khan Academy. The exam costs