PAY FOR COLLEGE - OUTSIDE RESOURCES

When searching for scholarships not offered by Black Hills State University there are a number of avenues to explore. First, we recommend checking with your high school guidance counselor. Your counselor often has information from local businesses and organizations about scholarships they award to high school seniors.

Another popular method of looking for outside scholarships is through Internet sites and scholarship search companies. A few websites are listed below. Beware of companies that guarantee scholarships for a fee. You’ve heard it before: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Veteran's benefits: The Department of Veterans Affairs offers programs for Veterans and service persons seeking assistance for education: The GI Bill, Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEAP), and Vocational Rehabilitation. Veterans should contact Greg Krajewski or call 605.642.6030 for further information.

National Guard and Reserve Benefits: Members of the National Guard and Reserve may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill. This is an education program that provides up to 36 months of benefits. Currently eligible members receive $384 per month for educational expenses. In addition, both the National Guard and Army reserve offer a student loan repayment program.
Members of the South Dakota National Guard may be eligible for a 100% tuition reduction. For further information on any of these programs, contact your National Guard or Reserve unit.

Vocational Rehabilitation: Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive funds for tuition, fees, books and living expenses. contact you local Vocational Rehabilitation Office to apply.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): BIA grants are available to Native American students. Recipients must be at least one-quarter Native American and an enrolled member of a tribe. Contact the Education Office of your tribe for further information.

American Indian Resources BH Page

Alternative Loans: The loans listed below are a historical list of private loans which BHSU students have borrowed over the last three years. As you can see, there are various private programs available to students who may not be eligible for federal aid or who may need additional funding. Loan limits, interest rates and repayment terms vary, you will want to review each one to see which one is best for you. A cosigner may allow a better interest rate. Also a self-certification form will be required, of which your lender will forward to you.

• Sallie Mae
• SELF
• Alaska Commission on Post-Secondary Education
• College Ave
• Iowa Student Loan Education Lending
• LendKey
• Citizens Bank
  
• Bellco Credit Union
• SoFi

Comparison Chart of above lender's interest rates/benefits

Contact our office for additional information.

Student Financial Services - Financial Aid
1200 University Street, USB 9670
Spearfish, SD 57799-9670
BHSUfinancial@BHSU.edu
phone: 605.642.6145
fax: 605.642.6913

• Web Sites Available: Listed below are several sites you may want to explore in order to learn more about financial aid and discover other possible financial aid sources:
  • Filing electronic FAFSA
  • Guide to Federal Aid
  • Scholarship Information
  • FinAid - Smart Student Guide
  • FastWeb! - Free Scholarship Search
  • GI Bill - A great resource for people interested in Veterans Administrations education benefit programs
  • The U.S. Department of Education's Homepage
  • SD Dept of Labor training and re-training or contact your local Dept of Labor office for further information
  • Native American Resources - Native American students are encouraged to contact their tribe for additional funding sources
  • Hispanic Resources
  • State Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) for foster care children
  • Professions That Pay Tuition Reimbursement
  • Americorps - Service to earn money for education
  • Scholarship America - Scholarship search
  • Veterans' Financial Aid Guide
  The scholarship searches listed above are free.