South Dakota veteran education benefits
Stars rate how much each state offers veterans themselves for college, training and exam fees (family-only programs don't count): 5 = free public-college tuition for most resident veterans, no disability rating needed; 3 = partial grants or narrower eligibility; 1 = little or nothing beyond federal benefits. How we rate
Up to 4 years of free tuition for wartime veterans once federal benefits are gone; no rating needed.
Checked Oct 7, 2026. State benefits change often. Confirm the details with the state agency before you apply.
Verify on the official page means we could not fully confirm that detail on the agency's own page.
For veterans
Free Tuition for Veterans (SDCL 13-55-2 to 13-55-5)
- What it covers
- Undergraduate tuition (not stated to include fees) at state universities and technical colleges. One month free per month of qualifying service; minimum 1, maximum 4 academic years.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Discharged under honorable conditions, current SD resident qualifying for in-state tuition, and meets the 'veteran' definition in SDCL 33A-2-1/2 (wartime/conflict service). Only for those not eligible for GI Bill or other federal education payments (13-55-4). 'Qualifying service' counts only active-duty time within the conflict period.
For spouses and children
Free Tuition for Children of Veterans Who Die During Service (SDCL 13-55-6 to -9)
- What it covers
- Free tuition at state-supported schools
- Who qualifies and limits
- Under 25, SD resident; parent KIA or died on active duty and lived in SD 6 months before entry
Free Tuition for Dependents of POWs/MIAs (SDCL 13-55-9.2 to -9.6)
- What it covers
- Tuition and mandatory fees
- Who qualifies and limits
- Only if not eligible for equal or greater federal benefits
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
Strong fit. The program is only for veterans who no longer have federal education benefits. A 2006 separatee's MGIB (10-yr) and pre-2013 Post-9/11 (15-yr) entitlement have expired, so they likely qualify (expiry vs. exhaustion not stated explicitly). Must be a current SD resident.
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- SD Department of Veterans Affairs
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- SD Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans' Education (SAA)
Sources we checked
- vetaffairs.sd.gov/benefits/State/State%20Education%20Programs.aspx
- law.justia.com/codes/south-dakota/title-13/chapter-55/section-13-55-4/
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.