In order to be eligible for a South Dakota opportunity scholarship pursuant to this section, a student who received alternative instruction pursuant to §§ 13-27-3 to 13-27-9, inclusive, shall:

(1) Be a resident of this state;

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(2) Obtain a composite score or superscore of at least twenty-four on the ACT or a comparable score on the SAT as determined by the Board of Regents;

(3) Provide a transcript of completed coursework that is issued by the parent or guardian listed on the notification and which includes:

(a) Four or more units of language arts, including:

(i) One and one-half units of writing;

(ii) One and one-half units of literature, one-half unit of which must be American literature;

(iii) One-half unit of speech or debate; and

(iv) One-half unit of a language arts elective;

(b) Three or more units of social studies, including:

(i) One unit of U.S. history;

(ii) One-half unit of U.S. government;

(iii) One-half unit of geography;

(iv) One-half unit of world history; and

(v) One-half unit of a social studies elective;

(c) Four units of mathematics, including:

(i) One unit of algebra I;

(ii) One unit of geometry;

(iii) One unit of algebra II; and

(iv) One unit of advanced math;

(d) Four units of science, at least three of which must be laboratory science, including:

(i) One unit of biology;

(ii) One unit of any physical science;

(iii) One unit of chemistry or physics; and

(iv) One unit of science electives;

(e) Two units of either of the following or a combination of the two:

(i) Career and technical education; and

(ii) World languages;

(f) One-half unit of personal finance or economics;

(g) One unit of fine arts;

(h) One-half unit of physical education; and

(i) One-half unit of health or health integration;

(4) Attend a university, college, or technical school that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and provides instruction from a campus located in this state; and

(5) Enter into the program:

(a) Within five years after the conclusion of the school year in which the student graduated, while being provided alternative instruction in accordance with §§ 13-27-3 to 13-27-9, inclusive; or

(b) Within one year after the conclusion of the school year in which the student was discharged from active duty with the armed forces, provided the discharge occurred within five years after the conclusion of the school year in which the student graduated, while being provided alternative instruction in accordance with §§ 13-27-3 to 13-27-9, inclusive.

If a student attends full-time a regionally accredited university, college, or technical school, located outside this state, and within two years from the end of the school year in which the student graduated, while being provided with alternative instruction in accordance with §§ 13-27-3 to 13-27-9, inclusive, or within two years after the conclusion of the school year in which the student was discharged from active duty with the armed forces, as set forth in subsection (b) of subdivision (5), returns to the state to attend full-time a regionally accredited university, college, or technical school, the student is eligible to receive a partial award.

A student is eligible to participate in the South Dakota opportunity scholarship program for the equivalent of eight consecutive fall and spring semesters or until the attainment of a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first. The Board of Regents may grant exceptions to the continuous enrollment requirement upon a showing of good cause.

Source: SL 2019, ch 96, § 1; SL 2020, ch 66, § 3; SL 2021, ch 76, § 19.