Freedom Scholarship Allocates $310,000 in New Funding for Future Mines Students

February 23, 2022
Freedom Scholarship Allocates $310,000 in New Funding for Future Mines Students
A Mines student at work in the university’s Center of Excellence for Advanced Multidisciplinary Projects (CAMP).  The Freedom Scholarship will open opportunities like this at Mines for more state residents.

The first allocation of the new Freedom Scholarship totals $310,000 in new funding for future South Dakota Mines students who are state residents. 

The Freedom Scholarship is currently a $175 million endowment thanks to a public/private partnership involving First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard, Sanford Health, Avera Health and the State of South Dakota led by Governor Kristi Noem, who spurred the scholarship fund's creation in 2021. The scholarship program is administered by the South Dakota Community Foundation and overseen by the Freedom Scholarship Board, which announced the initial allocation of funds to 13 institutions in South Dakota.

A press release on the Freedom Scholarship states that the statewide effort aims “to encourage students of all economic backgrounds to live and work in South Dakota after graduation.”

“This investment in South Dakota students will pay itself back many times,” says Mines President Jim Rankin. “The emerging high-tech industry in the state has a strong need for scientists, engineers, and business leaders who can advance the frontier of innovation and bring creative solutions to our most pressing problems. This effort is not only a major benefit for students; it is going to elevate the entire state.”

The Freedom Scholarship endowment was created in the 2021 legislative session. Senate Bill 171 initially authorized $50 million to be allocated to the Freedom Scholarship endowment. The fund is now at more than $175 million in commitments, thanks to multiple private investors with a future goal of $200 million.

Students can find information on the Freedom Scholarship here.