Fall 2025 RSF Scholar Application

Fall 2025 Scholar Application Form

For incoming Sicangu college freshman Application Deadline - Thursday, July 31st, 2025, 11:59pm Central Time
Thank you for applying to be a part of the Fall 2025 Rosebud Scholarship Fund class! You are applying for admittance to a group of 8-10 college-enrolled Sicangu citizens who excel academically. You all will support and encourage each other towards your common goal of earning a college degree (or otherwise completing your higher education) through regular programming and interactions. Although we support all Rosebud students, as a scholar you will earn the right to a $500/semester scholarship, assuming you meet three requirements: (1) maintain a 2.0 GPA for FR/SO and 2.5 for JR/SR/Grad and (2) attend 1 out of 2 available professional development events every month (Lakota elder speakers, Rosebud organization speakers, industry speakers, or workshops) and (3) work with your mentor for 2 hours a month. It is a total commitment of 3 hours every month while you are in school. You will also become part of a network of other Rosebud Scholarship Fund scholar classes (see our current scholars here). We also have a cultural exchange trip to visit Aotearoa New Zealand in May for those that meet requirements. Best of luck!
If selected, you will be asked to provide proof of enrollment (if applicable) and applicable college or high school transcripts.
If you are a part of a previous Rosebud Scholarship Fund class, no need to apply again! Once accepted, you are a member for life :)
You must have above a cumulative 3.0 GPA OR you must have earned a 3.0 GPA in your most recently completed academic semester to be eligible for this scholar class. If you do not, you are absolutely still eligible for funding as it is available, so please email director@rosebudfund.org. If there are circumstances as to why you did not earn a 3.0, yet you believe you will be a succesful college student, please explain in the box below. Then, proceed to fill out the rest of the application, as you will still have a chance to be admitted. (If your school uses a grading system other than GPA, please email director@rosebudfund.org.)
Please explain why, despite not attaining a 3.0, you are willing to be and capable of being a successful college student.
Prioritization for selection is as follows:

Tier 1

Enrolled Rosebud Sioux Tribe citizen

Raised IN the Rosebud Indian Reservation

Meets 3.0 GPA requirement

Tier 2

Enrolled Rosebud Sioux Tribe citizen or familial connection

Raised OFF the Rosebud Indian Reservation

Meets 3.0 GPA requirement

Tier 3

NOT an enrolled Rosebud Sioux Tribe citizen

Raised IN the Rosebud Indian Reservation

Significantly exceeds GPA requirement
For your information, these are the six criteria your application will be evaluated on:

1. Does it appear the student put effort into the application (grammar and writing fluency are adequate, answers are thoughtful, etc.)?

2. How motivated is the student to complete their higher education and earn their degree?

3. How likely is the student to contribute to their scholar class group?

4. How passionate is the student about creating change in Rosebud?

5. Does the student have a clear plan for how they will use their degree to create change in Rosebud?

6. Is this student proud of their Sicangu Lakota identity?
I. Personal Data:

Tell us about yourself
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Birthdate:*

MonthDayYear
Mobile No. :*

Area CodePhone Number
E-mail :*
One that you check often! Please make sure to type it correctly.
Preferred Mailing Address :*

Mailing Address

Mailing Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Optional Information : Information regarding gender, ethnic origin and race are optional. The information is requested for post-scholarship report generation only and in no way affects your selection.
Gender:
Ethnic Origin:

HispanicNon-HispanicNot Indicated
Race? (Choose one or more):

American Indian or Alaskan Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific IslanderWhiteBlack or African AmericanAsianNorth African/Middle EastNon-Resident Alien
Please check veteran status (Check all that apply)

VeteranChild of a VeteranGrandchild of a VeteranSpouse of a VeteranNone of the Above
Status at the time of application:

I graduated high school in May 2025I am a college freshmanI am a college sophomoreI am a college juniorI am a college seniorI am a graduate student
Are you a first generation college student ?

Yes, I am the first among my parents or grandparents to attend college.No, either my parents or grandparents have graduated college.
Major Area of Study:*
Please indicate your intended major or area of study
Other:
Name of Major
What is your Career Objective (i.e. what do you intend to do with your degree?):*

0/300
II. High School Information:
High School Attended:*
What high school did you or will you graduate from?
Did you graduate high school in May 2025?*

YesNo
Year of High School Graduation or GED:*
High school cumulative GPA:*
What GPA did you earn in your most recently completed semester of high school?*
High School activities, community activities, volunteer work, honors, offices held:*
III. ACT Information:
Year you took the ACT:
ACT composite (overall) score?
ACT scores are not required for consideration. However, providing an ACT score can increase the likelihood of your selection as compared to other candidates.
All applicants reporting an ACT score may be asked to provide official verification.
IV. College Information :
Have you officially paid a deposit to enroll at a school in Fall 2025?

YesNo
If yes, what school?
Ex. South Dakota State University class of 2026
If no, please explain the following: (1) what schools you are deciding between and why; (2) the school you will most likely attend; and (3) when you plan to make your decision.
Have you received a financial aid offer from your school yet that gives you an idea of your expected cost?

YesNo
If no, please explain why and when you expect this to come.
Have you received or applied to at least 3 other scholarships?

YesNo
If yes, please list them.
V. Additional Questions :
Do you plan to eventually transfer to another college and complete a 4-year degree?*

YesNo
Are you a GED recipient?*

YesNo
Are you currently employed or do you plan to be employed while enrolled in classes?*

YesNo
If yes, how many hours per week?
Have you lived in the Rosebud Indian Reservation for 2+ years?*

YesNo
If not for 2+ years, but you still did live in the reservation, how long?
Are you an enrolled Rosebud citizen? In other words, do you possess a tribal ID from Rosebud?*

YesNo
If you are not an enrolled RST citizen, have you lived in Rosebud for at least 10 years?
Are you interested in mentoring Sicangu college students that are younger than you?*

YesNo
Do you commit to actively communicating with your cohort of scholars and participating in programming if it is applicable to you and of interest to you?*

YesNo
Please write the first and last name of the person that recommended you to this application.
VI. Short Answer Questions

These should just be a few sentences, or whatever it takes to get your point across.
What is your favorite class ever (in middle school or high school), and why?*
What is one of your academic shortcomings, and how are you working to improve it?*
Why is it important to you to be a Rosebud Scholarship Fund scholar? What strengths will you bring to your cohort of 8-10 fellow scholars?*
VII. Essay Questions
We are so excited to get to know you through these questions! We encourage you to be as authentic as possible and are more worried about the content than structure. We do not intend for this to be a stressful process; just be yourself and let the words flow! Your answer to each question should be 200-400 words. Please type your answers in a word document and make sure to restate the question before you answer it. Upload it below using the "browse files" button. If you have an issue with this, please email your word document to director@rosebudfund.org.
1. What are your visions for a better Rosebud, and how will your education help you achieve these visions?

2. Who is a leader or mentor that you look up to? In as much detail as possible, please explain why you look up to that person and how they have specifically influenced your actions.

3. In your own words and experience, explain why it is important to work together to accomplish a goal. Then, describe a situation where you had to accomplish a goal as a team, the role you played, and how it made you feel.
Browse Files

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VIII. Applicant's E-Signature
By signing (typing your legal name) in the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.
E-Signature:*
The Rosebud Scholarship Fund is committed to equal opportunity. The Fund does not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other protected class.
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Fall 2025 Scholar Application Form

I. Personal Data:

II. High School Information:

III. ACT Information:

IV. College Information :

V. Additional Questions :

VI. Short Answer Questions

VII. Essay Questions

VIII. Applicant's E-Signature