Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance

Click on any of the following links for information:

Tuition, fees, and all other student charges are payable in full at the times designated in the Schedule of Classes. Any student who has questions regarding the payment of tuition and fees should contact the Business Office, Room 207, Slagle Hall, in advance of registration. Students who do not pay by the established deadlines will be subject to late charges or administrative withdrawal.

The University of South Dakota provides an electronic billing and payment system known as SDePay. Students can retrieve their billing statements online and make payments through SDePay with either an electronic check or a credit card as part of SDePay.

The student’s tuition and fee bill will be available on SDePay after they are registered for classes. Students will not receive a paper billing statement in the mail. An email will be sent from SDePay to the student’s official USD email address and the authorized payers email address announcing their billing statement is ready to be viewed and paid online. This email will be sent each time a new tuition and fee statement is generated. However, the student and authorized payer may view the current account balance at any time through SDePay. Payment is due in full by the assigned due date. The due date for the bill will appear on the most current billing statement.

The student can set up their parents or guardians as authorized payers in SDePay. The authorized payer will receive a link in an email notification that will take them directly to SDePay, where they can safely log into the system by using the username and password assigned to them by their student. Authorized payers may view and print student’s e-bills and make electronic payments (e-check or credit card) on the student’s behalf. Authorized payers may also set up their accounts to receive emails each time a new billing statement is posted for the student.

Payment on student accounts can also be made in person at the Business Office or through the mail. The Business Office is located in Slagle Hall Room 207 and accepts cash, check, money order or certified check made payable to “USD.” If the payment is mailed, please include the student id number on the bottom of the check to ensure the amount is posted to the correct account.

Tuition and Fee Payment times and locations are posted to the USD Business Office website and an email will be sent to your USD email account to notify you of the current semester’s procedures.

How do I pay using SDePay? Click here for Instructions on how to use SDePay.
Are you interested in setting up a payment plan?
Click here for information regarding: Payment Plan for Tuition & Fees.

Credit Hour Basis of Tuition Charges

All tuition charges at institutions of higher education under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents will be on a per credit hour basis. Medical and Law school tuition will be on a semester basis. Information regarding undergraduate tuition and fees may be found at: http://www.usd.edu/financial-affairs/business-office/tuition-and-fees and https://www.sdbor.edu/student-information/Documents/FY20TuitionFeeSchedule.pdf.

Residential Hall and Meal Plan

USD offers many room plan and meal plan options. See website links below for associated costs.

Residential Halls

Meal Plans

Late Charge

A late charge will be assessed on all accounts not paid by the established deadline. Students may be dismissed for nonpayment.

Specific criteria and program regulations are available from Financial Aid/Registration for any of the special tuition classifications listed below. (SDBOR policy 5:5.1 and SDBOR policy 5:5.2)

Dual Credit

Dual Credit Course tuition rate is offered to qualified public high school students participating in dual credit courses offered. A rate of $96.67 is provided by the SD Department of Education. Students are responsible for the $48.33 per credit cost and any required textbooks or related course materials. *Tuition rates are subject to change. The Board of Regents generally make tuition determinations at its April meeting.

On-Campus Board Approved Reduced Tuition Programs

A university may request that the Board approve the use of reduced nonresident tuition rates to support enrollment. Strategies. A university may also request that the Board set differential tuition rates if necessary to maintain or increase the enrollment of selected types of students.

Persons 65 Years of Age or Older: The tuition for resident students sixty-five (65) years of age or older during the calendar year enrolled shall be 55% of the cost of resident tuition. Students who qualify for this special rate must request the tuition adjustment and provide proof of age (driver’s license or birth certificate) to Registration during the first two weeks of the semester.

Graduate Fellows and Assistants: Resident graduate assistants and graduate student fellows shall be assessed 53% of the resident graduate tuition rate for all on-campus courses, nonresidents shall be assessed 63%. (Policy 5:22). For information regarding graduate assistant tuition rates consult the following website: http://usd.edu/financial-affairs/business-office/tuition-and-fees or contact the Business Office at 605-677-5613 or on campus in Slagle Hall, Room 207. Rates are charged according to the policies of the Board of Regents and are subject to change without prior notice. Rates are revised annually.

Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets: South Dakota residents who are junior and senior students and who are contracted senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets shall be charged 50% of the undergraduate resident tuition rate established by the Board of Regents for not more than four semesters. (BOR, May 1989, pp. 531 and 533).

1. A senior cadet is eligible for the special tuition rate as long as he or she:
2. remains a resident of South Dakota throughout each semester he or she has applied for benefits;
3. has met all the contract eligibility requirements for Senior ROTC and has signed the contract for the programs;
4. maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the United States Army or Air Force Cadet Command;
5. is not receiving a ROTC scholarship and is not a member of the simultaneous membership program.

Military Science Courses: Military Science courses offered to military science students shall be offered without payment of tuition. All other required fees shall apply.

Western Regional Graduate Program (WRG): Students from the WICHE states can participate in the Western Regional Graduate Program. The graduate programs that have been approved by the Board for South Dakota allow students to pay instate tuition rates.

South Dakota Advantage Program: 

Effective Summer 2019, first time freshmen or new transfer students from Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming shall be assessed the        resident on-campus tuition rate. This reduced tuition rate is available only at the undergraduate level. 

3.9.1. The following undergraduate students previously awarded resident tuition will retain resident rates, within the system: 

• Colorado students attending BHSU or SDSM&T beginning with the summer of 2018; 
• Iowa students attending DSU, NSU, SDSU, or USD beginning with the summer of 2016; 
• Montana student attending BHSU beginning summer of 2018; 
• Nebraska student attending DSU, NSU, SDSM&T, SDSU, or USD beginning with the summer of 2018 
• North Dakota students attending NSU beginning with the summer of 2004; 
• Wyoming students attending BHSU beginning with the summer of 2013. 

Western Undergraduate Exchange Tuition Rate for Residents of WICHE States: Undergraduate residents of WICHE states are eligible to attend any of the SD universities at 150% of the resident on-campus tuition rate. The states included are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Norther Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Children of Alumni: - Effective Summer 2015, non-resident undergraduate freshmen students or first-time transfers attending the same university from which one of their parents or legal guardian received a degree can attend at the resident on-campus tuition rate. Eligibility criteria approved by the Board differ between institutions and are available from each university.

On-Campus Tuition and Fee Reductions and Waivers Established by the Legislature

The Legislature has established several tuition and fee reductions and waivers for the benefit of specific groups of South Dakota residents. The information in this policy on the legislated reductions and waivers contains only excerpts from the South Dakota Codified laws and is not intended to provide the necessary detail to administer the programs. Normal fees should be assessed unless specifically waived. SDCL must be referenced for specific guidelines and eligibility criteria. Current information about eligibility requirements is provided in SDCL and shall be available from the Executive Director’s office.

Employees of the State of South Dakota (SDCL § 3-20): Employees of the state who meet the following requirements and who are admitted to the university may be eligible for a 50% tuition reduction for state support undergraduate and graduate courses up to a maximum of six credit hours per semester. An employee of the state is eligible for tuition reduction as long as he or she:

1. is continuously employed by the state for a period of one year in a benefit eligible position;
2. is a bona fide resident of the state;
3. maintains an academic grade of 2.0 or better;
4. maintains an academic rating of competent or better in the most recent merit appraisal or is otherwise certified as competent by the immediate supervisor; and
5. is a benefit-eligible employee.

Registration in any course at the reduced tuition rate shall be limited to space available, as determined by the President or designee; after all of the full-time or full tuition paying students have registered. The Board of Regents shall maintain an annual record of the number of participants and the tuition dollar value of such participation

Members of the South Dakota National Guard (SDCL § 33-6-5): Any member of the South Dakota National Guard can qualify for a reduced tuition benefit by meeting the following qualifications in SDCL § 33-6-7:

1. Be a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard Unit or Air National Guard Unit throughout each semester or vocational program for which the member applies for benefits;
2. Have satisfactorily completed required initial basic training;
3. Have satisfactorily performed duty upon return from basic training, including a minimum ninety percent attendance on scheduled drill dates and at annual training with the member’s parent unit;
4. Maintain satisfactory academic progress; and
5. Provide proper notice to the institution at the time of registration for the term in which the benefits are sought.

South Dakota National Guard members taking undergraduate courses are entitled to a benefit of fifty percent of the on-campus undergraduate resident tuition to be paid or otherwise credited by the Board of Regents.

South Dakota National Guard members taking graduate courses are entitled to a benefit of fifty percent of the on-campus graduate resident tuition to be paid or otherwise credited by the Board of Regents.

All nonresident members of the South Dakota National Guard who have met admission requirements in SDCL § 33-6-7 will be treated as residents for purposes of the tuition assessed. The state benefits are applied after applying any federal tuition benefits. The total federal and state benefits may not exceed one hundred percent of the tuition cost.

Veterans and Others Who Performed War Service (SDCL § 13-55-2): Veterans and others who performed active war service may pursue any undergraduate course or courses without payment of charges for tuition for each month of qualified service or major fraction thereof a month in academic time. No eligible person shall be entitled to less than one or more than four academic years of free tuition.

Residence at the time of entry into military service or active war service shall not affect eligibility for this entitlement. Eligibility is limited to persons who reside in this state and who:

1. are veterans or others as defined in SDCL § 33-17-2;
2. are qualified for resident tuition;
3. comply with all the requirements for admission;
4. are not entitled to have such tuition paid by the United States or are entitled to receive in part from the United States for education and training allowance and in part the expenses of his or her subsistence, tuition, fees, supplies, books and equipment per SDCL § 13-15-4.

Children and Spouses of National Guardsmen Disabled or Deceased in Line of Duty (SDCL § 13-55-10): South Dakota residents under the age of 25 years whose father, mother, or spouse died or sustained a total permanent disability resulting from duty as a member of the South Dakota National Guard, while on state active duty or any authorized training duty, shall be entitled to tuition without cost and be entitled to attend any course or courses of study.

Visually Impaired Persons (SDCL § 13-55-11 through 13-55-13): Residents of South Dakota who are visually impaired and who are eligible for admission may pursue any course of study without payment of tuition and fees that other students are required to pay directly to the university until they have received two hundred twenty-five (225) semester hours of credit or its equivalent.

A person shall be deemed to be visually impaired if he or she cannot, with use of correcting glasses, see sufficiently to perform ordinary activities for which eyesight is essential. The impairment shall be certified according to SDCL § 13-55-11.1.

Children of Residents Who Died During Service in Armed Forces (SDCL § 1355-6 through 13-55-9): Certain children of residents who died while in the service of the armed forces of the United States are entitled to free tuition and to any course or courses of study without the payment of any charges or costs, therefore:

1. Eligibility is limited to South Dakota residents under the age of twenty-five years.
2. The deceased parent, mother or father, must have been a veteran as defined in SDCL § 33-17-1, must have been a bona fide resident of South Dakota for at least six months immediately prior to entry into active service, and must have died from any cause while in the service of the armed forces of the United States.

Dependents of Prisoners or Missing in Action (SDCL § 13-55-9): Dependents of prisoners of war or persons missing in action, upon being admitted to a university, shall be entitled to eight semesters or twelve quarters, free of tuition and mandatory fees, other than subsistence expenses, for either full- or part-time study, for so long as he or she is eligible.

Certain Elementary and Secondary Teachers and Vocational Instructors (SDCL § 13-55-24): Certain elementary and secondary school teachers and vocational instructors may pursue any undergraduate or graduate course upon payment of 50% of tuition and 100% of required fees.

Eligibility is limited to teachers and vocational instructors who:

1. are bona fide residents of South Dakota;
2. are employed by an accredited school as a teacher as defined in Title 13;
3. are required by state law, administrative rules or an employment contract to attend college as a condition of employment or to maintain a certificate to teach;
4. are certified as eligible for this program by the school district or private school by which they are employed; and
5. maintain an average academic grade of 3.0 or better.

The right of any teacher or vocational instructor to participate in this tuition reduction is limited to the space available, as determined by the president or designee; in any course after all of the full-time or full tuition paying students have registered.

An eligible teacher or vocational instructor may receive the tuition reduction for a maximum of six credit hours per academic year. For the purposes of this section, the academic year shall begin with the fall semester and include all of the following summer.

Survivors of Certain Fire Fighters, Certified Law Enforcement Officers and Emergency Medical Technicians (SDCL § 13-55-22): If a firefighter or certified law enforcement officer or an emergency medical technician dies as a direct result of injuries received in performance of official duties, the survivor, upon being duly accepted for enrollment into any state-supported university of higher education or state-supported technical or vocational school, shall be allowed to obtain a bachelor’s degree or vocational degree for so long as the survivor is eligible, free of any tuition. However, the bachelor’s degree or vocational degree shall be earned within a thirty-six month or eight semester period or its equivalent.

Reciprocity Tuition Rate for Minnesota Residents (SDCL § 13-53B):

Minnesota residents shall be charged the rate established in the tuition reciprocity agreement between the South Dakota Board of Regents and the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board. (See Policy 1:16, Interstate Tuition Agreements).

The tuition rate paid by undergraduate or graduate students from Minnesota is based upon the higher of two state rates: a) the tuition and fee rate at the institution attended, or b) the weighted average tuition and fee rate of the four-year public institutions in Minnesota. First-time freshmen entering directly from high school will automatically be granted reciprocity. Students who transfer, are re-admitted, or enter as non-traditional, must apply for reciprocity to the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office, in St. Paul, MN.

Minnesota residents who attend first professional degree programs will not pay more than 150% of the resident rates. Application must be made to the Minnesota Higher Education Office in St. Paul, MN.

Resident Tuition for Rehabilitation Services Clients: All nonresidents who are receiving tuition support from the South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services are entitled to pay tuition at resident rates.

Off-Campus Reduced Tuition Programs (SDBOR policy 5:5.2)

Legislated and Board approved tuition and fee reductions and waivers apply only to on-campus courses and programs except where noted below. (SDCL § 13-55-23)

Reduced Tuition Benefit for South Dakota National Guard Members (SDCL 33-6-5): The undergraduate and graduate off-campus tuition rates assessed to members of the South Dakota National Guard may be reduced by the tuition benefit provided for on-campus courses, the adjustment being one-half of the resident on-campus tuition rate. This benefit is applied after the federal tuition benefits and may not exceed 100% of the tuition costs.

Reduced Tuition Benefit for Employees of the State of South Dakota: State employees attending the USD Community College for Sioux Falls (CCSF), who meet the eligibility requirements for reduced tuition, will receive the same tuition reduction as that provided for on-campus courses up to a maximum of six credit hours per semester. The benefit will equal one-half the resident on-campus tuition rate for undergraduate or graduate courses for any face-to-face course at CCSF.

Reduced Tuition Benefit for Elementary or Secondary Teacher or Vocational Instructor: (SDCL ch. 13-55-24): Certain elementary and secondary school teachers and vocational instructors pursuing any undergraduate or graduate off-campus course, distance education course, or other course not subsidized by the general fund, will receive the same tuition reduction as that provided for on-campus courses. The benefit will equal one-half the resident on-campus tuition rate.

Eligibility is limited to teachers and vocational instructors who:

1) are bona fide residents of South Dakota;

2) are employed by an accredited school as a teacher as defined in Title 13;

3) are required by state law, administrative rules or an employment contract to attend college as a condition of employment or to maintain a certificate to teach;

4) are certified as eligible for this program by the school district or private school by which they are employed; and

5) maintain an average academic grade of 3.0 or better.

The right of any teacher or vocational instructor to participate in this tuition reduction is limited to the space available, as determined by the president or designee; in any course after all of the full-time or full tuition paying students have registered.

An eligible teacher or vocational instructor may receive the tuition reduction for a maximum of six credit hours per academic year. For the purposes of this section, the academic year shall begin with the fall semester and include all of the following summer.

Reduced Tuition Program Limitation

A student is only eligible to participate in one reduced tuition program at any point in time. The student will be assigned the appropriate student type that provides the student with the greatest reduced tuition benefit.

Students enrolling in any of the state institutions shall be classified as resident or nonresident for admission, fee, and tuition purposes by an appropriate institutional officer. The decision shall be based upon information furnished by the student and all other relevant information. The officer is authorized to require such written documents, affidavits, verifications, or other evidence necessary to establish the residence of the student, including proof of emancipation, adoption, or appointment of a guardian. Students have the burden of establishing residency by clear and convincing evidence.

For purposes of tuition, residence means the place where a person has a permanent home and intends to remain for an indefinite period.

Resident Classification

Persons shall be classified as resident students if they have continuously resided in South Dakota for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the first scheduled day of classes of the semester or other session in which the individual registers in the regental system, without having been students during that period.

Absence from South Dakota to pursue post-secondary education does not deprive a bona fide resident of resident student status.

Persons once properly classified as residents shall be deemed to remain resident students so long as remaining continuously enrolled in the regental system.

International students whose visas permit them to establish domiciles in the United States or its territories or protectorates may qualify for resident tuition in the same manner as United States citizens.

Any person who graduates from a South Dakota high school qualifies for resident tuition rates at the institutions controlled by the Board of Regents.

The Board of Regents shall reclassify any nonresident student to the status of resident student upon timely proof of marriage of the student to a resident of South Dakota.

• Application for Resident Status form

Residence of Unemancipated Persons

The residence of unemancipated persons (those under the care, custody and support of parents) under twenty-four years of age follows that of the parent(s) or of legal guardians. The parent(s) of the student are not required to reside in South Dakota twelve months prior to the student’s enrollment for the students to be classified as residents; however, the parent(s) must remain in South Dakota for a minimum of twelve months in order for students to retain residency status.

Retention of Residence While in Military Service

Persons in military service who list South Dakota as their “home of record” and who, immediately upon release, return to South Dakota to enter college shall be classified as residents.

Nonresident Classification

Students are considered to be nonresidents if they did not reside in the state for twelve months prior to enrolling at a Board controlled institution.

Physical presence in South Dakota for the predominant purpose of attending an institution of higher education controlled by the Board does not count in determining the twelve-month period of residence.

Changes of Classification

The following factors are relevant in evaluating a requested change in the student’s nonresident status and in evaluating whether the person’s physical presence in South Dakota is for the predominant purpose of attending an institution of higher education controlled by the Board of Regents:

1. The residence of an unemancipated student’s parents or guardians
2. The status of the source of the student’s income
3. To whom a student pays taxes, including property taxes
4. The state in which a student’s automobile is registered
5. The state issuing the student’s driver’s license
6. Where the student is registered to vote
7. Ownership of property in South Dakota and outside of South Dakota
8. The residence claimed by the student on loan application, federal income tax returns, and other documents
9. Admission to a licensed profession
10. Membership in civic, community, and other organizations in South Dakota or elsewhere
11. The facts and documents pertaining to the person’s past and existing status as a student: and
12. Any person who is a veteran as defined by §§ 33A-2-1 and 33A-2-2 

Classification appeal procedure

Students may appeal the original classification decision by written petition to the Residency Appeals Committee within 30 days after registration for that semester.

After twelve months of continuous presence in South Dakota, students who were initially classified as nonresidents may petition the Board of Regents for reclassification.

If a petition for reclassification is granted, the reduced tuition rate shall become effective with the first semester or session following the date on which the petition is granted. Students who fail to request resident status prior to a particular semester or session or to pursue a timely appeal shall be deemed to have waived any claim for reduced tuition for that semester or session.

Rates are charged according to the policies of the Board of Regents and are subject to change without prior notice.

Rates are revised annually.
 

Tuition and fee rates can be viewed online at: http://usd.edu/financial-affairs/business-office/tuition-and-fees
 

Additional Charges

Students enrolled in certain courses for which services by an outside vendor are utilized (e.g., bowling, golf, fine arts) or when field trips are required may be required to pay for the additional costs. Students enrolled in programs requiring malpractice or other insurance will be required to reimburse payments made to the insurer on their behalf.

SDBOR policy 5:7

Refund Policy

The end of the drop/add period for standard (those that conform to the regular semester schedule) and non-standard courses offered in a semester is the date the first 10 percent of the term ends or the day following the first class meeting, whichever is later.

Refunds for Dropped Course

A student receives a 100 percent refund of tuition and per-credit-hour fees for courses dropped within the drop/add period. No refund shall be provided for courses dropped after that time, except by administrative action. Any course meeting within a standard semester but for less time than the standard semester shall be treated as a non-standard semester course for refund purposes. Courses offered during summer school session and correspondence courses are considered non-standard courses.

Students who withdraw, drop out, or are expelled within the drop/add period receive a 100 percent refund of tuition and per-credit-hour fees. Students who withdraw, drop out, or are expelled after the drop/add period for which they are assessed may be entitled to a pro-rated refund as set forth herein.

Refunds for Withdrawals

Students who withdraw from the University may be entitled to a refund of tuition and fees and institutional charges calculated through 60 percent of an enrollment period. The refund shall be determined by computing the percentage of an enrollment period remaining after the date of withdrawal multiplied times the tuition and fees originally assessed the student. At no time will refunds be awarded after the 60 percent point of the enrollment period.

Students who receive a refund and are receiving Title IV aid may be required to repay the appropriate Title IV aid program from which they received assistance for any sums that have not been retained by the University for services rendered or that will no longer be required to support other ongoing expenses for attending the University. Specific information about possible repayment obligations may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office. Payment options are available through the Business Office. See more information at: Withdrawal from the University.

Cancelled Registration

If a student’s registration is cancelled, no tuition and fee payment is due. If payments have been made, a student is eligible for a full refund.

Extensions and Waivers

The University president, or a designee, may extend or waive the time periods in the following circumstances:

1. The death of the student;
2. The student’s disabling condition or severe illness;
3. The death, disability, or severe illness of immediate family members causing severe financial hardship to the student;
4. Other extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Click here for Petition for Registration Cancellation or Late Withdrawal form.

Refunds for Residence Hall Fees

Students with a room contract who withdraw from the institution will receive a proportional refund at the time of withdrawal up to the 60 percent point, after which no refund is available.

Refund for Food Service Fees

Students with a food service contract who withdraw from the University will receive a proportional refund at the time of withdrawal up to the 60 percent point, after which no refund is available. Unused flex dollars for the current semester are returned at 100%.

Military Service - Withdrawal without Penalty

Students required to withdraw from the University before completing a semester may receive credit or refund privileges if they are regularly enrolled and belong to a military unit called for duty or are drafted and not eligible for deferment, and the discontinuance of class attendance is on the last practicable day before reporting for duty as determined by the University. Eligible students who are required to report for military duty not earlier than four calendar weeks prior to the date a semester ends as stated in the official catalog of the institution, or after completion of at least 75 percent of the enrollment period in a non-standard semester course, may, when authorized by the instructor, be given full credit for all courses in which they have an average of “C” or better. Eligible students who receive credit or an incomplete, in progress, or normal progress grade for any course in which they are enrolled shall not be entitled to any refund of tuition or fees paid. Eligible students who do not receive an incomplete, in progress, or normal progress grade, or credit for a course in which they are enrolled shall be entitled to a full refund of tuition and academic fees.

Options for Final Grades and Refunds

			Weeks Still Remaining in Standard Semester
Course   Grade			More Than 4 Weeks	Less Than 4 Weeks
	A		Refund	A or Refund
	B		Refund	B or Refund
	C		Refund	C or Refund
	D		Refund	Refund
	F		Refund	Refund
	S		Refund	S or Refund
	U		Refund	Refund
	I, IP, NP		Refund	I, IP, NP or Refund
***Course grade is as determined by the instructor, either the grade to date or the final earned grade to date. SDBOR 5:7

Military Service- Eligibility for Continued Enrollment- Students who belong to a military unit called for duty or who are drafted and not eligible for deferment and who are not required to withdraw from state supported institutions before completing an academic program to which they have been duly admitted will be eligible to resume work on the program after their release from active duty.

Refunds for room and board shall be pro-rata refunds for the entire semester. Board flex plans will be refunded at 100% of the unused value.

Refunds for books for military personnel called up for active duty is as follows:

1. New books with no markings or writing - 100% of purchase price
2. New books with highlighting or writing - 75% of purchase price
3. Books purchased used - 100% of used price

Books must be returned within the semester. Normal campus refund policies apply to books that are not returned prior to the end of the semester.

The Financial Aid Office has one of the most important roles on a school campus. In addition to being responsible for following the rules and regulations of the financial aid programs, the Financial Aid Office:

1. Determines a student’s eligibility for federal Title IV aid programs and prepares a “package” of financial aid programs to meet that eligibility. (This involves several steps and submission by students of many documents.) It is important to respond quickly and with complete information if the Financial Aid Office has questions or needs more documentation when preparing a financial aid package.

2. Notifies the student aid applicant of the types, amounts, and conditions of the aid being offered in the form of an award letter.

Students must apply every academic year in order to determine eligibility for Title IV federal student financial aid. Students must apply for the aid programs by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In general, FAFSAs should be filed by March 15 in order to receive aid for the following Fall/Spring term. This includes students who intend to attend summer school.

Students must be admitted to the University of South Dakota in a degree-granting program in order to be eligible for financial aid. Students may apply for aid before they are admitted to USD, but no aid will be awarded until admission status is official.

The University of South Dakota scholarship and federal grant aid will not exceed the cost of tuition, fees, room, board, and a fixed book allowance.

The University of South Dakota has an extensive scholarship program. Entering first-year students are encouraged to contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for information, the application website and deadlines. Returning student scholarships are subject to renewal criteria and questions should be directed to Scholarship Administration. Scholarships are considered part of the total financial aid package and, in general, total aid may not exceed the student’s cost of instate attendance minus financial aid resources.

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship

The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship is sponsored by the South Dakota Board of Regents and provides $6,500 over four years to qualifying students who attend eligible higher education institutions in South Dakota. Applications and information regarding this scholarship can be found at www.sdbor.edu or at the Office of Financial Aid.

Coyote Commitment Scholarship Program

The Coyote Commitment is available to all entering freshmen who qualify based on academic achievement as measured by GPA, standardized test scores and committee review. All students who apply to USD are automatically considered for commitment awards ranging from $500 - $3,500 per year for four years as a full-time student. Although there is no deadline or separate application for this award, students should apply prior to March 15 for full consideration.

Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. The Pell Grant provides a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (Parent PLUS)

Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students enable parents with good histories of credit to borrow money in order to pay the education expenses of dependent children who are undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time. The yearly limit on a PLUS loan is equal to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid.

Graduate PLUS

The federal government has created a new Graduate PLUS Loan for students enrolled at least half-time in a graduate or professional program. Effective July 1, 2006 graduate students are eligible to borrow under the low interest, unsubsidized Federal PLUS Loan program on his/her own behalf. You must file the FAFSA and accept your entire Stafford eligibility in order to qualify for the Graduate PLUS loan.

Direct Stafford Loan

Direct Stafford Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. Borrowers will not be charged any interest before beginning repayment or during authorized periods of deferment.

An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. Interest is charged from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Students may allow the interest to accumulate (capitalize) while in school.

Students can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period if they qualify under the federal regulations.

Students also may qualify for funding under Veterans Educational Benefits, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Vocational Rehabilitation, South Dakota National Guard, etc. Contact the appropriate agency or Registrar’s Office at USD for additional information.

Student Employment

There are employment opportunities on campus that are not work-study (federally) funded jobs. These jobs are not based on financial need, and students may apply directly to the employers. Jobs are posted at the Career Development Center. Wage rates vary depending on the type of work performed. Payday is the last working day of the month.

Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. The program encourages community service and work related to the student’s course of study. Federal Work-Study salary will be at least the current federal minimum wage, but it may be higher, depending on the type of work and the skills required. Federal Work-Study awards depend on time of application for financial aid, level of need, and the funding level of the school. The amount may not exceed the student’s total Federal Work-Study award. Jobs are available in many departments on campus; a list is available at the Career Development Center.

Students who are in any way financially indebted to the University or who have failed to account for University property placed in their possession will be denied a transcript and subsequent enrollment until they have made a satisfactory settlement.

Students must make satisfactory academic progress in their studies in order to continue receiving Federal Title IV aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress is cumulative and is based on the student’s completion rate, their grade point average, and a maximum time frame to complete their degrees. Satisfactory Academic Progress is measured each year at the completion of the spring semester. Students whose status is determined to be unsatisfactory may not be eligible to receive Title IV financial aid for the following year.