A student is eligible for a South Dakota Freedom Scholarship, pursuant to § 13-55A-15, if the student:
- (1) Is a state resident for at least one year prior to application for the scholarship;
- (2) Attends an eligible institution in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree;
- (3) Establishes financial need, as determined by the eligible institution and the board described in § 13-55A-15;
- (4) Commits, in writing, to live and work in this state for a period of three years after graduation, or following military service or graduate education, if applicable;
- (5) Maintains a GPA of at least 2.0 while enrolled at an eligible institution; and
- (6) Agrees, through a promissory note or other agreement, that failure to comply with this section results in the scholarship being converted to an interest-bearing loan. A student is eligible to receive a scholarship under this section for five years. If a student fails to complete a baccalaureate degree within five years from the date of initial attendance, the board may convert any amounts awarded to the student into an interest-bearing loan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the board may temporarily or permanently waive the requirements of this section if factors, as determined by the board, prevent a student from satisfying the requirements in this section.
Source: SL 2021, ch 83 , § 7, eff. Mar. 18, 2021; SL 2022, ch 48 , § 2.