Scholarships & Sponsorships

Avera believes in the value of education and offers a variety of scholarships and sponsorships to assist students and employees with their pursuit of knowledge.

Available Scholarship & Sponsorship Opportunities

Health Care Scholarships

Scholarship applications are accepted each year from January 1 to March 31

Avera St. Benedict Scholarship

Avera St. Benedict Health Center Scholarships are awarded each year to qualified high school seniors who desire to enter a variety of health care careers. Applicants must be from the Parkston, Ethan, Tripp, Lake Andes or Corsica/Stickney school districts. To apply, submit the scholarship application. Application deadline is April 1.

Dr. Dave and Mary Ann Kapaska New Americans in Health Care Scholarship

This endowed scholarship is available to established refugee or immigrants in the Avera Health service area, pursing training or education in the field of health care. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Floyd Valley Auxiliary Scholarship

The Floyd Valley Auxiliary provides 2 scholarships to eligible high-school seniors interested in furthering their medical education in the Le Mars area. Sign-up begins in January and ends April 1. Learn more by calling 712-546-3428.

Julie Sendelbach Nursing Scholarship

The Julie Sendelbach Nursing Scholarship is proud to offer a scholarship for students pursuing a degree in nursing from a South Dakota college or university. One $2,500 scholarship for the school year will be awarded. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Kay Monson Scholarship

Kay Monson Scholarships are awarded each year to qualified high school seniors who desire to enter a variety of health care careers. Applicants must be from the Parkston, Ethan, Tripp, Lake Andes or Corsica/Stickney school districts. To apply, submit the scholarship application. Application deadline is April 1.

Lori Ann Schrempp Memorial Nursing Scholarship

The Lori Ann Schrempp Memorial Nursing Scholarship is available to nursing students continuing their education to become a registered nurse. Applicants must be in their third or fourth year of a B.S.N. program, or first or second year of an associate degree program. Applications must also reside in the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital 15 county service area. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Medical Student Scholarship - Marshall, MN

Avera Medical Group Providers in Marshall provides one scholarship of $1,000 for a student who meets the following criteria: top 10% of the graduating class; at least a 3.0 grade point average; and acceptance into a college or university, with a major declared in a medical-related field. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Colleen Hoekstra Scholarship

The Colleen Hoekstra Scholarship will provide one scholarship for a volunteer, employee or past employee of the Avera Marshall region to obtain or further their nursing degree. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements.

Mark Steinborn Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Students enrolled or accepted in a nurse anesthesia program and are a past or present Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center employee are encouraged to apply for up to two $1,000 scholarships awarded annually by the Avera Foundation. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Avera Employee Scholarships

Scholarship applications are accepted each year from January 1 to March 31

Avera Health Leaders Scholarship for Students

Current Avera employees, spouse or children are eligible to apply. Avera Foundation provides the Avera Leaders Scholarship to nurture the next generation of leaders to share this vision with up to five $2,000 scholarships awarded each year. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Avera Marshall N. Ben Weiner Scholarship

Current employees of Avera Marshall are eligible to apply. The Avera Marshall N. Ben Weiner Scholarship was established to help further education for those in the health care field. To apply, download scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

DeSchepper Rehabilitation Education Scholarship

Current employees of the therapy and rehabilitation department at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Center are eligible to apply. This endowed scholarship, established in 1994, has been made available because of charitable gifts given in honor of Hector DeSchepper. To apply, download scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Dr. Brian T. Hurley Education Endowment

Current employees of Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center are eligible to apply. This endowed scholarship was established for the benefit of employees at Avera McKennan to support their continuing education. The scholarship is to be used for education and may include a college course, workshop, conference or seminar. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Nursing Excellence Educational Endowment

Nurses at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center or Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota are eligible to apply. This endowed scholarship was established for the benefit of nursing staff at Avera McKennan and the Avera Heart Hospital in appreciation of the nurses who continually strive for excellence in teaching other nurses as well as providing care for patients. Award money is to be used to fund educational opportunities to nurses who have demonstrated excellence in the nursing field. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Paul & Marilyn Stork Scholarship

Current employees of Avera Tyler are eligible to apply. This scholarship offers financial assistance to Avera Tyler employees seeking to advance their professional level of certification or degree. The program will award two or more scholarships annually, each with a maximum value of $1,000. The value of the scholarship will in part depend on the cost of the advancement program. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Sister Bernadette Farrell Education Scholarship

Current nurses employed in the Women & Children’s department at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center are eligible to apply. This endowed scholarship funds educational opportunities for nurses who have demonstrated excellence in the nursing field. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment and loyalty to the mission and philosophy of Avera. To apply, download the scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Sister Cleopha Scholarship

Current employees in the Avera Sacred Heart region are eligible to apply. The Sister Cleopha Scholarship is a scholarship for nursing staff (RN, CRNA, LPN) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Avera Sister James Care Center, Avera Sacred Heart region Avera Medical Group clinics and Avera Creighton Hospital to attend a continuing education workshop. To apply download the scholarship application and requirements and reference letter. Application deadline is March31.

Sister Colman Coakley Education Scholarship

Current employees of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center are eligible to apply. This endowed scholarship, established in 1992, has been made available because of charitable gifts given to the Avera Foundation in honor of Sister Colman for her strong belief in the value of education. To apply, download scholarship application and requirements. Application deadline is March 31.

Avera Sponsorships

Avera supports ambitious learners with a strong desire to follow their passion while developing a career path in health care. Sponsorships are available for medical positions such as:

  • Imaging services roles: radiologic technician, nuclear medicine, ultrasound technician (sonographer)
  • Medical laboratory
  • Social work
  • Surgery technician
  • Respiratory therapists
  • Nursing roles in hospital and long-term care


To learn about what sponsorships are currently available, request an appointment for a free consultation with our career planning service, available for high school and college students, as well as our employees.

Request consultation


Please note before applying:

  • Eligibility requirements apply for sponsorships.
  • Opportunities may vary by location.
  • Online learning option being added.
  • May also include sign-on bonus.
  • May also include Student Loan Repayment Program.
  • Work commitment at an Avera facility required upon acceptance.
  • Sponsorships are paid directly to the school.
  • Offers may expire.


Avera Health Employee Health Plan is working with our Third-Party Administrator to prepare Machine Readable Files for posting to its website to meet the Transparency in Coverage rules.

Avera is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.