AGC South Dakota Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Associated General Contractors of South Dakota

Thanks to the generous contributions from AGC members, supporters, and AGC Chapters, the Foundation is in a position to award over 150 scholarships annually to deserving undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates can receive up to $2,500 per academic year, renewable for three years, while graduate students can receive $3,750 per academic year, renewable for two years. Since 1970, we have granted more than 4,000 scholarships, amounting to over $11 million. Candidates for scholarships are assessed based on their academic achievements, dedication to the industry as demonstrated by involvement in professional organizations on campus, part-time or summer employment in the construction industry, and their future aspirations. The application portal for the 2026-2027 academic year will open on July 1, 2025.

Awards

Each year, the AGC Education and Research Foundation presents two distinguished awards. One is given to an educator who has demonstrated exceptional performance in construction education, and the other is awarded to a senior-level student who writes the best essay for the James L. Allhands Essay Competition.

Outstanding Educator Award

Since 1985, the AGC Education and Research Foundation has been annually honoring an educator who has made a significant impact in construction education. Nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Educator will open on July 1, 2025. The recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award is informed in February and the award is presented at the AGC Annual Convention.

James L. Allhands Student Essay Competition

The James L. Allhands Essay was initiated by the late James L. Allhands, a founding member of AGC and a prolific author of construction-related literature. The award acknowledges a student essay on a specific topic that contributes to the progress of technological, educational, or vocational expertise in the construction industry. The application for 2026 will open on July 1, 2025. The winner is informed in February, and the award is presented at the AGC Annual Convention.

ELIGIBILITY

1. High school seniors are not eligible. The applicant MUST be a rising college sophomore, junior in a four-year program or rising senior in a five-year program at the time the scholarship is awarded in the fall of 2025. Junior and senior level applicants MUST have one full academic year of coursework remaining at the time of application deadline in the fall of 2025 term (i.e. earliest graduation date of December 2025). Second-year students at a two-year school who are planning to transfer to a four-year program for the Fall 2025 term are also eligible to apply.
2. The applicant MUST aspire to a career in the construction industry.
3. The applicant MUST be a full-time student.
4. The applicant MUST be enrolled or plan to enroll in either an ABET or an ACCE-accredited (or candidate status) program.
5. The applicant MUST be pursuing a B.S. degree in construction or construction-related engineering. A dual degree with construction or construction-related engineering as one part is acceptable.
6. The applicant MUST be a U. S. citizen or a documented permanent resident of the United States (i.e. must possess a "permanent resident" card).

REQUIREMENTS

1. The applicant is responsible for submitting all of the following items by midnight EST November 1, 2024.
   1. Fully completed application.
   2. Evaluation form filled out (online) by a college faculty member.
   3. Evaluation form filled out (online) by an employment supervisor.
   4. Official or unofficial transcript of college grades. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable if they clearly show the academic institution and student's name. Text versions copied and pasted from the school's website ARE NOT acceptable.
2. Spelling and grammar are crucial and will be considered during the review/rating process.
3. Incomplete application packages will NOT be considered.

AWARDS

1. Scholarships are for a maximum of $2,500 per student per year and may be renewable for up to three years of undergraduate study in construction-related engineering, construction, or a dual degree with construction or construction-related engineering as one part.
2. The AGC Education and Research Foundation Board of Directors will review applications and select winners.
3. All finalists will be invited for a personal interview with a representative of the AGC Education and Research Foundation. Finalists will be notified in January/February 2025.
4. Scholarship winners will be informed in March, 2025 and the award(s) will be announced at the AGC Annual Convention.
5. Checks will be sent directly to recipients in late summer preceding the school year. Checks will NOT be sent to the recipients' college or university.
6. To be considered for renewal of annual award installments, the scholarship recipient is required to provide proof of continued enrollment and good standing (min. 2.0 GPA). Grade transcripts and upcoming class schedules MUST be forwarded at the end of each academic period. Recipients will not be reminded to provide this information; failure to do so will result in non-renewal of scholarship award installments. Recipients are encouraged to seek summer employment in construction during undergraduate enrollment.
7. For more information, contact Paige Packard, Program Director, AGC Education & Research Foundation, by email paige.packard@agc.org or by phone (703) 837-5387.