13 Military Friendly Colleges in South Dakota

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Military Friendly Colleges in South Dakota

Funding for Military Friendly Colleges in South Dakota

There are many military friendly colleges in South Dakota. According to the VA, in 2017, 33 South Dakota schools got Post 9/11 GI bill funds for over 1,500 students totaling over $9 million dollars.

There are six active programs offering benefits for veterans’ education. If eligible, all of these may be used to help fund a college education.

  • Post 9/11 GI Bill
  • All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (MGIB-AD)
  • Educational Assistance for Members of the Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
  • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
  • Post Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

 

The most-used benefit program is the Post 9/11 GI Bill. At South Dakota colleges, 74% of the beneficiaries used the Post 9/11 GI Bill to help fund their education.

Military Program# of 2019 veterans eaRNING aid at South Dakota colleges
Post 9 / 111,995
MGIB – AD67
MIGB – SR366
REAP1
DEA249
VEAP0
TOTAL2,678

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA

 

13 Military Friendly Colleges in South Dakota in 2020

These 13 military friendly colleges in South Dakota are listed based on the total amount of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits awarded in the 2017 / 2018 school year. All of the data cited from the National Center for Education Statistics. Some of these schools take part in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, the colleges and the VA pay the tuition and mandatory fees not paid for by the GI Bill.

1South Dakota State University
1015 Campanile Ave | Brookings, SD 57007

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19 : $1.25M

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is the nation’s ninth Purple Heart Campus.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 38%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,741
Grad: $4,837

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 152
Grad: 16

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 32%

 

2Black Hills State University
1200 University St | Spearfish, SD 57799

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.77M

Black Hills State University (BHSU) has many services for service members, veterans, and dependents. For one, there’s the Veterans Center. This is a great place to socialize and study with other veterans on campus. The Yellow Jackets Vet Club offers another way to get involved. It helps veterans transition into civilian and college life.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 92%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,447
Grad: $5,006

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 112
Grad: 10

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 62%
Part Time: 34%

3Dakota State University
820 N Washington Ave | Madison, SD 57042

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.77M

DSU, another military friendly college in South Dakota thanks military and veteran students for their service.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 80%. And, the rate for part time students is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,046
Grad: $3,293

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 122
Grad: 10

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 66%
Part Time: 57%

4University of South Dakota
414 E. Clark St | Vermillion, SD 57069

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.73M

At University of South Dakota (USD), Veterans’ Services, a division within the Office of the Registrar, is a great resource. This helps service members, veterans, and their families apply for education benefits. Plus, USD has prioritized programs and services to help military and veteran students adjust to student life. Some of the services on offer include tutoring, peer mentoring, and counseling. Also, you can get involved by joining student veterans’ clubs.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 100%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,408
Grad: $1,991

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 194
Grad: 35

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 48%

5South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 E Saint Joseph St | Rapid City, SD 57701

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.62M

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) greatly values military service to the country. So, it offers support like the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). The VRC gives Vets a relaxing place to study or simply connect with each other. 

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 80%. And, the rate for part time students is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,877
Grad: $4,042

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 76
Grad: 6

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 50%

6Southeast Technical Institute
2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107

Southeast Technical Institute offers over 70 career focused pathways in many of today’s innovative fields. One of their newer programs is Paramedic Science which awards an Associate of Applied Science. There are also 8-week online business courses.

For the military learner, STC also commits to providing financial aid solutions and is a place you could use VA education benefits. The school was recently recognized as a Military Friendly School by militaryfriendly.com. So, other support is available too.

The Southeast Tech Veterans Resource Office is one place to start. Itprovides Southeast Tech veterans and family members of Veterans a place to build community and to access benefits, re-adjustment counseling, referral services and more. 

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.44M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,745
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 77
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 66%
Part Time: 56%

8Western Dakota Technical Institute
800 Mickelson Drive, Rapid City, SD  57703

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.35M

Western Dakota Technical College offers career focused degree programs. A few are EMT, auto tech, business, library tech, farm and ranch management and welding. Many students apply for federal financial aid to offset the cost of their studies.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,227
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 67
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 63%
Part Time: 42%

9Lake Area Technical Institute
PO Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201

Lake Area Technical College offers 30 academic programs and hybrid e-degrees which blend online and on campus learning. The school also provides veterans and their families a variety of on-campus services and benefits. These include the potential to get academic credit for your military experience,and a refunded application fee for veterans. Assistance with career services and using VA education benefits is also available.

On the social side, there are Veteran recognition events, a Veteran Ops Lounge and various Veteran activities throughout the year.

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.23M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5768
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 40
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 84%
Part Time: 72%

10Mount Marty College
1105 W 8th St | Yankton, SD 57078

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.16M

Mount Marty College (MTMC) has a dedicated point of contact for support services. These serve veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

MTMC participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 15 undergrad students up to $2,500 each, per year. 15 grad students could get up to $2,500 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $12,706
Grad: $5,813

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 12
Grad: 2

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 72%
Part Time: 56%

11Northern State University
1200 S Jay Street | Aberdeen, SD 57401

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.13M

Northern State University (NSU) offers resources to help meet the unique needs of military students. These include both active military personnel and veterans. These students have their own space at NSU in the Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC). Here, enjoy a quiet workspace, computers, TV, and coffee!

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5738
Grad: $7,967

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 21
Grad: 2

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 73%
Part Time: 33%

12Mitchell Technical Institute
1800 East Spruce Street, Mitchell, South Dakota 57301

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.12M

Mitchell Technical College opened in September 1968 as part of a statewide system of four technical colleges. The school now offers on campus and online programs in construction, health sciences, business, engineering and more.

To offset the costs of study, you could find out how to apply for VA benefits. There is a VA Certifying Official on campus. Mitchell Tech has also signed the principles of excellence to serve veterans and military personnel using a standardized form.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,186
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 24
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 83%
Part Time: 75%

13Oglala Lakota College
490 Piya Wiconi Road | Kyle, SD 57752

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.03M

Like other military friendly colleges in South Dakota, Oglala Lakota College (OLC) has a dedicated point of contact for support services. These services help veterans, military service members, and their families.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $1,693
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 19
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 56%
Part Time: 43%

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*https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_311.15.asp

Sources for school statistics is the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

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