$10,000 scholarships to BHSU available to high school seniors

High school seniors who attend Black Hills State University may be eligible for $10,000 scholarships, thanks to a donation by T. Denny Sanford to the Horatio Alger Association Endowment. Fifteen scholarships of $10,000 each are dedicated to incoming students at BHSU. The Denny Sanford Scholarship application is open until March 15 at: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/59963-Horatio-Alger-Association

“We want to give each of these 15 scholarships totaling $10,000 each to deserving students. If you know a high school senior thinking about enrolling in college this fall, it’s important they take a look at this opportunity at BHSU,” said Jayce Winsell, assistant director of Admissions.

Eligible applicants for the Denny Sanford Scholarship are high school seniors with:

• Critical Financial Need ($55,000 or less adjusted gross income per family)
• Integrity and Perseverance in Overcoming Adversity
• U.S. Citizenship
• Minimum GPA of 2.5

As one of the nation's largest need-based college scholarship programs in the country, the Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs specifically assist high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many scholarship programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Association seeks students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.

BHSU freshman Martiza Cadenas, business administration – human resources major from Brockway, Mont, received the $10,000 scholarship last year. She chose to attend BHSU because of the University’s accredited business program and reasonable tuition rates. Her family moved often while growing up, which the Denny Sanford Scholarship program recognized as an adversity factor.

Sanford is chairman of the board for United National Corporation, the holding company for First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard, headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sanford is a renowned philanthropist and was named one of “America’s Top Donors” by the Chronicle of Philanthropy and by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. His charitable giving focuses on health care and children’s causes and his contributions exceed $1 billion.

For questions about eligibility, contact Jayce Winsell with BHSU Admissions at Jayce.Winsell@BHSU.edu or 605-642-6093.

About BHSU

Black Hills State University is the only comprehensive university in western South Dakota. BHSU is a masters-level state university with students from 64 out of 66 counties in South Dakota, 43 states, and 29 countries. The campus leads the region in environmental sustainability efforts and maintains top academic programs in business (AACSB accredited), exercise science, natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, mass communication, health sciences and education. The university provides academic programs through three colleges, the College of Business and Natural Sciences, the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts. Founded in 1883 as a school for preparing teachers, BHSU is located in the northern Black Hills, a region abundant with outdoor activity and culture. Learn more at www.BHSU.edu