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South Dakota offers special benefits for its military Service members and Veterans including a property tax exemption for Veterans and their Surviving Spouses, compensation for state active duty, South Dakota tuition for Veterans, hunting and fishing Cards for disabled Veterans and free admission and reduced camping fees at South Dakota State Parks for Veterans. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component and Veteran disability status.

The State Tuition Assistance Programs covers 50% tuition at South Dakota Board of Regents universities, and 83.5% at South Dakota supported technical institutes. To be eligible a national guard member shall: be a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard Unit or Air National Guard Unit throughout each semester; completed required initial basic training; satisfactorily performed duty upon return from basic training, a minimum ninety percent attendance on scheduled drill dates and at annual training with the member's parent unit; maintain satisfactory academic progress; and provide proper notice to the institution at the time of registration for the term in which the benefits are sought.

FTA will pay up to $250 per credit and 16 semester hours per fiscal year (October - September) in tuition expenses. This benefit may be used in conjunction with other educational benefits. This program is available for active duty, Reserve and National Guard members. Check with your unit for eligibility. In order to receive payment for a course, the course must be completed prior to your separation from any of the above mentioned military components Each military branch has its own TA application form and procedures. To find out how to get started, visit your local installation education center or go online to a virtual education center.

Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process' and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services. TA is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay.

Reduced tuition will apply to undergraduate courses. The student must provide one verification of active duty military service such as: Current Military ID with expiration date, pay stub (Leave and Earnings Statement) current orders, other document with current dates of service that include academic term start date. There is no credit hour limit for the benefit. The student must fill out this application each semester. Student Application Instructions Download application - Application for Reduced Tuition at SD Board of Regents University Centers Complete Section I and submit application with proof of current military service to sdsu.veterans@sdstate.edu.

To qualify the veteran must: have been discharged under Honorable conditions, be a current resident of South Dakota and qualify for in-state tuition, must meet one of the definitions of a "veteran": served on active duty at any time between Aug. 2, 1990 and a date to be determined, received an Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or other United States campaign or service medal for participation in combat operations against hostile forces outside the boundaries of the United States or has a service connected disability rated 10% or more, disabling. Questions? Contact Shane Olivier at 605-773-3648.