2023 Scholarships
Two Scholarship Opportunities
The recipient must be a senior high school student who resides in South Dakota, is currently attending a South Dakota public, private, parochial high school or a home school program, and lives in a township that is a current member of SDATAT. Graduates of the class of 2023 are eligible to be nominated for this memorial scholarship. The student must use the scholarship for a college, university, or vocational school which has a physical presence in South Dakota.
The South Dakota Association of Towns & Townships is accepting nominations for the $1000 Cindy Foster Memorial Scholarship. Cindy Foster held a board position with the South Dakota Association of Towns and Townships from 1997 until her death in 2022. Her passion for agriculture and education was evidenced by the many years she served in those arenas.
Township Officers, you are invited to showcase a deserving senior from your township that represents the character and determination to excellence displayed by Cindy Foster. Your letter of recommendation should describe their character and involvement in the community, church, school, and/or any other organization and not focused on academic GPA. Download the Nomination Form.
The South Dakota Association of Towns & Townships is offering one $1000 and one $500 scholarship. Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with their essay on this year’s topic: It has been said, “Your generation has lost the work ethic." Is this true? Does being raised in a rural or city environment play a role? Interview at least one adult you view with a strong work ethic and generosity factor. Compare and contrast their motivation with your own today and for your future.
Download the 2023 SDATAT Scholarship Program Application.
About the SDATAT Scholarship Program. . .
When did it begin?
The SDATAT Scholarship program was started in 2003 and began as two separate $500 scholarships, then was revised the following year to award a single $1000 award. In 2013 it was once again revised to be one $1000 and one $500 scholarship.
Who can apply?
Any senior high school student who resides in South Dakota and is currently attending a South Dakota public, private, parochial high school or home school program is eligible. The student must use the scholarship for a college, university, or vocational school which has a physical presence in South Dakota; and lives in a town or township that is a current member of SDATAT.
What are some of the guidelines?
Essays must be no more than 500 words and must be typed with double spacing. Applicants can not name themselves, their school, town or township, or their local officials in the essay. Essays will be judged on originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; and finally, the application may be accompanied by no more than two one-page support letters.
How are the winners chosen?
As the scholarships are received at the SDATAT Office, the Dep. Admin Director will go through each submission to be sure all the guidelines are met and disqualifying any that are not. The qualifying essays are numbered and then sent on to the Scholarship Committee. Only the essays are forwarded to the Scholarship Committee to assure anonymity. After the Scholarship Committee chooses a winner, the number is given to the Dep. Admin. Director, and the name is released.
When and how is the scholarship paid?
The scholarship award will be paid to the appropriate financial aid office upon receipt of verification of enrollment at a South Dakota college, university or technical school in September of the winner’s second year of study.