Scholarship

WDT Foundation Scholarships

The Western Dakota Tech Foundation offers over 30 individual scholarships! Some are one award, but some are multiple awards, up to 70. See details here. The WDT Foundation Scholarships application opens twice a year. The Summer/Fall Scholarship window is between January 1 - March 31 and the Spring Scholarship window is between August 1 - October 31.

 

The WDT Foundation Scholarships application for the Summer/Fall 2022-2023 is NOW open until March 31st, 2023. Click HERE to apply! The WDT Foundation Scholarship application is a universal application that automatically applies each student to every WDT Foundation Scholarship they are eligible for during the application term. It means that students may be awarded for more than one scholarship. The WDT Foundation awards over $500,000 annually in scholarships. 

 

*Build Dakota Scholarship requires a separate application.* 

 

Summer/Fall WDT Foundation Scholarships

Alen Sigman Memorial - $250

Beef Bucks - $1,000

Betty Sever - $300

Black Hills Metal Fabricators - $1,000

Bridges Scholarship - $1,000

Brosz Engineering - $1,000

Building Community - $1,000

Caterpillar MineStar – Full-ride scholarship for Autonomous Equipment Technician Program (multiple awards)

Craig & Joan Uhre - $1,000

Crazy Horse Memorial - $500 to $2,000 (multiple awards)

eCampus Textbook Scholarship – Varies (multiple awards)

EE Diers Family Scholarship - $500 to $3,000 (multiple awards)

John T. Vucurevich Foundation (Nursing) - $1,500 to $2,500 (multiple awards)

John T. Vucurevich Foundation (Non-Nursing) - $1,500 to $2,500 (multiple awards)

Dr. Kenneth Gifford Memorial - $1,000 (two awards)

Milton DeBrie Memorial - $500

Montana Dakota Utilities - $1,250 (two awards)

Myron Matusiak Memorial - $1,000

Northern Hills DAV - $1,000 (two awards)

Robbie Ludeman Memorial - $250

SD Education Access Foundation - Varies (multiple awards)

Universal Pediatrics LPN-RN - $1,000 (three awards)

WDT Leadership - $500 (three awards)

William J. Pierce Memorial - $250

 

What are the eligibility requirements of WDT Foundation Scholarships?

Eligibility requirements for WDT Foundation Scholarships: 
  • All WDTC degree-seeking students are eligible to apply for WDT Foundation Scholarships, including incoming students.
    • Incoming students must meet the following criteria: 
      • Apply to Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC): https://wdt.edu/apply.  
        • You do not need to be accepted into the college before applying for the WDT Foundation Scholarships.
        • However, you must be accepted into the WDTC program and successfully enroll in the program's classes for the application term in order to receive any foundation scholarship.
  • No minimum GPA requirement, but GPA is considered in the selection process.
  • Individual Foundation Scholarship may have additional eligibility requirements.
  • The WDT Foundation Scholarship is a universal application. It will automatically apply each student to every Foundation Scholarship they are eligible for during the application term. 
      • An incomplete Foundation Scholarship application will NOT save on the system! You will start over every time you close the window. If needed, work on essays in a word processing software (ex. Microsoft Word), then copy & paste responses into the application.

 

*To receive any Foundation Scholarship, students must successfully enroll in the program's classes for the application term.

Build Dakota Scholarship

       

Build Dakota Logo

 

Build Dakota Scholarship Application NOW opens until March 31st, 2023. 

Click HERE to apply!

 

More information, please visit Build Dakota Scholarship & FAQs.

Build Dakota Eligible Programs

• Automotive Technology, AAS

• Computer-Aided Design, AAS

• Computer Science, AAS

• Construction Technology, Diploma

• Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Emphasis, AAS

• Dental Assisting, Diploma

• Diesel Technology, AAS

• Diesel - Industrial Maintenance, AAS

• Drafting & Machining Technology, AAS

• Electrical Trades, AAS

• Environmental Engineering Technician (EET), AAS

• EET - Controlled Environment Agriculture*, AAS

• HVAC/Refrigeration Technology, AAS

• Medical Laboratory Technician, AAS

• Paramedic, AAS

• Plumbing Technology, Diploma

• Practical Nursing*, Diploma

• Precision Machining Technology, Diploma

• Registered Nursing*, AAS

• Surgical Technology, AAS

• Welding and Fabrication, AAS & Diploma

 

 

 

What are the eligibility requirements of the Build Dakota Scholarship?

To be eligible for a Build Dakota Scholarship, students must: 
  • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national (Must meet citizenship eligibility requirements according to Federal Financial Aid regulations.)
  • Commit to stay and work in the Build Dakota eligible career field in South Dakota.
  • Be any age with any GPA.
    • There is no minimum GPA, but GPA is considered in the selection process. 
  • Apply for Financial Aid (https://studentaid.gov/.) 
    • Students do not need to have your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completed before submitting the Build Dakota Scholarship application.
      • However, students must complete and submit the FAFSA in order to receive this scholarship.
    • Students are not required to accept any financial aid.
      • If students want help with the FAFSA, please feel free to contact our Financial Aid Office at finaid@wdt.edu or 605-718-2988.
  • Apply to Western Dakota Technical College for a Build Dakota Scholarship Eligible Program: https://wdt.edu/apply/
    • If students have any Admissions Process questions, please feel free to contact our Admissions Office at admissions@wdt.edu or 605-718-2565.

 

We highly recommend students review Build Dakota Scholarship FAQs before applying for the scholarship.

*An incomplete Build Dakota Scholarship application will NOT save on the system!* You will start over every time you close the window. If needed, work on essays in a word processing software (ex. Microsoft Word), then copy & paste responses into the application.

 

*To receive a Build Dakota Scholarship, students must be accepted to the eligible program and successfully enroll in the program's classes

What are the Build Dakota Scholarship commitments?

Build Dakota Scholarship recipients agree to:

  • Enroll full-time in the Build Dakota Scholarship eligible program at Western Dakota Technical College.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Complete the program on time as a full-time student.
    • Diploma programs typically require 1 to 1.5 years.
    • AAS Degree programs typically require 2 years.
  • Fulfill Western Dakota Technical College’s expectations for Build Dakota Scholarship recipients.
  • Work full-time in South Dakota, in your field of study, for a minimum of 3 years, following graduation.
  • Industry partner awardees must also meet any additional commitments to their Industry Sponsor.

What does Build Dakota cover?

A full-ride scholarship covers*:

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Textbooks
  • Tools
  • Laptop
  • Uniforms/Scrubs
  • Other Program Required Supplies
  • *Build Dakota Scholarship does not pay for the general education required for acceptance into either the LPN or RN programs.
    • If you need to complete general education credits during the fall semester for the LPN or RN Program, you will receive a "tentative" award, based on securing a seat into either program for the upcoming spring semester.
  •  

 

Resources and Dates

Application Resources

 

Scholarship Application and Essay Tips (PowerPoint) - Revised 01/18/2023

 

 

 

Resources and Tools from the WDTC Library

  • 12Twenty*- access to resume templates, cover letter templates, and job postings looking to hire WDTC students.
    • *Must be a current student to access these pages/resources. Login to your account in MyWDT.
  • Learning Express Library - resources to help prepare you for placement exams and create cover letters and resumes.

 

 

Other Resources and Tools

 

Thank You Template

Important Dates

 

 

January 1, 2023

First Day: WDT Foundation Summer/Fall Scholarship Application & Build Dakota Scholarship Application

 

March 31, 2023

Last Day: WDT Foundation Summer/Fall Scholarship Application & Build Dakota Scholarship Application

 

May 1, 2023 

WDT Foundation Scholarship Award Notification Emails

 

May 12, 2023 

Last Day: Thank You Letter for WDT Foundation Scholarships

 

June 2, 2023 

Build Dakota Scholarship Award Notification Emails

 

June 22, 2023 

(Tentative) Build Dakota Scholarship Signing Day

 

3rd Party Scholarships

 

Western Dakota Tech Foundation maintains a list* of scholarship opportunities that are available from outside agencies and organizations. We encourage you to review the list to see more scholarships that may be available to you.

3rd Party Scholarships Listing**(Excel Document) - Updated 03/10/2023

  • *Western Dakota Tech Foundation does not determine 3rd party scholarship terms and conditions. 
  • **For more information and how to apply for each scholarship, follow their provided URL. 

 

The U.S. Department of Labor has a FREE Scholarship Search Tool, which you can use to find more scholarships.

 

Contact Information

Assistant Director of Scholarships

Andrew Kapelewski

Email: WDTScholarship@wdt.edu 

Call: 605-718-3061

 

Scholarship Outreach Specialist

Chutima Supboon

Email: WDTScholarship@wdt.edu 

Call: 605-718-3064