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Montana vs South Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Montana offers a higher average award size and more grant opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. South Dakota, while having lower average awards, still presents valuable options for applicants focused on specific fields.

State vs State

State A

Montana

State B

South Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricMontanaSouth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog3319
Avg. award (where known)$2,639$2,133
Max indexed award$25,000$5,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Montana presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $2,527 and a total of 38 grants available. The top universities in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association, which offers 3 grants, and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs with 2 grants. In contrast, South Dakota offers a more modest average award of $2,133 with a total of 19 grants. Notable scholarships in South Dakota include the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association, providing 5 grants, and Sigma Tau Delta with 2 grants. Applicants should consider their financial needs and the specific opportunities available in each state.

Top Scholarship Providers in Montana

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in South Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Montana

Montana's scholarship climate is characterized by a higher average award size and a greater number of grants, making it favorable for applicants seeking significant financial assistance.

South Dakota

South Dakota's scholarship climate offers fewer grants and lower average awards, appealing to applicants who may qualify for specific scholarships in niche areas.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Montana

Median household income

$69,565

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,129

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.91/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,740

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.77 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

lower indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

56

ADI counties

56

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 56 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 56 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

South Dakota

Median household income

$71,969

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$979

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,080

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.95 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

66

ADI counties

66

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 66 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 66 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Montana?
The average scholarship amount in Montana is $2,527.
How many scholarships are available in South Dakota?
There are 19 scholarships available in South Dakota.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship amount?
Montana has the highest maximum scholarship amount at $25,000.
What are some top scholarship providers in Montana?
Top scholarship providers in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs.
Are there scholarships for specific fields in South Dakota?
Yes, South Dakota offers scholarships for specific fields, such as those from the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Montana and South Dakota.

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