Did you know that students from our community who are interested in obtaining a two year degree from Mitchell Technical College, Southeast Technical College or Lake Area Technical College could apply for a full ride scholarship to cover all of their educational expenses? This means the scholarship would pay for all of the cost of tuition, books, fees and tools and/or computer, if required for the program they are studying. To become eligible for this scholarship students only need to be certain they plan to successfully finish a degree that is part of the Build Dakota Education Scholarship Program and follow this up with doing that kind of work in South Dakota for a period of three years.

A typical college program costs approximately $18,000 per school year. Students from our area, students from another state and adults who are non-traditional students can apply for this opportunity. Students who successfully complete one of the Build Dakota programs will find a good paying job waiting for them after they graduate. A student receiving one of these scholarships will only need to pay for their food and housing while in the program. The food and housing costs are most likely going to be obtained through applying for federal financial assistance making it possible for anyone in our area to quality for the training they are seeking. If they do not finish the program or do not take a job in that line of work as promised, then the scholarship converts to a loan which they must repay. If they are successful graduates and take a position in South Dakota as promised then they will pay nothing for the education they received.

This is an outstanding opportunity that should not be overlooked. If you know of a student or adult who has an interest in obtaining a two year college degree in one of the S.D. Build Dakota Programs at one of the institutions listed, please have them contact Dana Sanderson at 605-491-0804 as soon as possible. Two different scholarships are available for you to apply for. One scholarship is known as the Wagner Area and Build Dakota Partnership Scholarship and the second is known as the Yankton Sioux Tribe and Build Dakota Partnership Scholarship. The deadline to apply for either of these opportunities is January 24. If you have questions or are looking for an application please do so as soon as possible so you can have this opportunity available to you. This outstanding opportunity should not be overlooked by anyone interested in a better life. Imagine all of your professional training paid for and you get a two year degree, a job waiting for you and no educational debt when you are starting off in life. Some people will say: “I am concerned about the cost and work involved with getting an education. What should be said is I am concerned about the affect upon my life dreams, family income and life style if I do not pursue an education.”