AGC South Dakota Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Associated General Contractors of South Dakota

Through endowments made by AGC members and supporters, as well as AGC Chapters, the Foundation is able to give 150 or more undergraduate and graduate scholarships each year to deserving students. Undergraduate students receive up to $2,500 per academic year (renewable for 3 years) and Graduate students receive $3,750 per academic year (renewable up to 2 years).  Since 1970, we have awarded over 4,000 scholarships totaling over $11 million. Scholarship candidates are evaluated for their academic success, their commitment to the industry through participation in campus professional organizations, summer or part-time work in the construction industry, and their goals for the future. The 2026-2027 application portal will open July 1, 2025.

Awards

The AGC Education and Research Foundation gives two prestigious awards annually, one to an educator who exemplifies excellence in the field of construction education, and the other to a senior-level student who submits the winning essay in the James L. Allhands Essay Competition.

Outstanding Educator Award

Since 1985, the AGC Education and Research Foundation has annually recognized an educator who makes a significant mark in the field of construction education. Nominations will be open July 1, 2025 for the 2026 Outstanding Educator. The Outstanding Educator is notified in February and the award is presented at the AGC Annual Convention.

James L. Allhands Student Essay Competition

The James L. Allhands Essay was established by the late James L. Allhands, one of the founding members of AGC and a prolific writer of construction related works. The award recognizes a student essay on a specific topic that is deemed to be beneficial to the advancement of technological, educational, or vocational expertise in the construction industry. The application for 2026 will open July 1, 2025. The winner is notified in February, and the award is presented at the AGC Annual Convention.

ELIGIBILITY

1. High school seniors are not eligible. 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. Applicant MUST desire a career in the construction industry.
3. Applicant MUST be a full-time student.
4. Applicant MUST be enrolled or intend to enroll in either an ABET or an ACCE-accredited (or candidate status) program.
5. Applicant MUST pursue 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. Applicant MUST be a U. S. citizen or documented permanent resident of the United States (i.e. must possess a "permanent resident" card).

REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicant is responsible for ensuring that all of the following items are submitted by midnight EST November 1, 2024.
   1. Completed application.
   2. Evaluation form completed (online) by college faculty member.
   3. Evaluation form completed (online) by an employment supervisor.
   4. Official or unofficial transcript of college grades. Unofficial transcripts are accepted if they clearly indicate the academic institution and student's name. Text versions cut and pasted from the school's website ARE NOT acceptable.
2. Spelling and grammar are important and will be considered in 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. Applications will be reviewed, and winners selected by the AGC Education and Research Foundation Board of Directors.
3. All applicants selected as finalists will be invited to 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 notified in March, 2025 and 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 annual award installments, the scholarship recipient is required to provide indications of continued enrollment and good standing (min. 2.0 GPA). Grade transcripts and upcoming class schedules MUST be forwarded at the conclusion 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.