Homeschool benefits and savings in Vermillion and Clay County

University of South Dakota (USD) dual credit costs high school juniors and seniors an average of $78.48 per credit hour, about $235 for a 3-credit course, instead of about $300 per credit for other students. A homeschooled student qualifies once the parent signs a dual credit Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Dakota Department of Education and the student meets USD's GPA or test score rules.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Lives in South Dakota

   Your student must be a South Dakota resident or attend a South Dakota high school, and be a high school junior or senior.

2. Has a parent dual credit MOU

   File the Alternative Instruction Notification (AIN) on the Department of Education site, then choose Finish Dual Credit MOU. The department signs the MOU and sends a copy to you and to USD.

3. Meets the academic bar

   Juniors need a 3.50 unweighted GPA, the upper third of their class, an ACT of 24, or an SAT of 1180. Seniors need a 3.25 GPA, the upper half of their class, an ACT of 21, or an SAT of 1080.

4. Applies each semester

   Students apply through the Board of Regents dual credit application hub every semester, with a parent signature on the application.

What dual credit costs

USD lists an average dual credit cost of $78.48 per credit hour, compared with about $300 per credit hour for students who are not in high school.

One credit hour

$78.48

One 3-credit course

$235.44

Two 3-credit courses

$470.88

Four 3-credit courses

$941.76

Full dual credit rate per credit hour

$156.96

The full $156.96 rate applies to students on academic suspension without an approved waiver and to retaking an F or W course when a petition is denied, and books bought with the $500 voucher are added to your bill.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   File the AIN and MOU

   Submit your Alternative Instruction Notification, answer yes to dual credit, and complete the MOU with the Department of Education.

2. November 1, 2026

   Spring application opens

   Create an account on the Board of Regents application hub and choose the first-time or continuing dual enrollment application.

3. By January 11, 2027

   Apply and start classes

   Spring applications close and classes begin January 11. The last day to add a course is January 13.

4. By January 20, 2027

   Drop with a full refund

   January 20 is the last day to drop a spring course for a full refund, and April 6 is the last day to withdraw with a W.

5. After high school

   Claim the USD scholarship

   Students who earn a C or better in all dual credit courses and enroll at USD as first-time, full-time students can receive $600 to $1,600 over four years.

What it pays for

Covered

• Reduced tuition on more than 175 courses a semester
• Online, Sioux Falls, or Vermillion classes
• A $500 book voucher billed to your account

Not covered

• First Day Access course materials
• Books charged to the voucher
• Courses retaken after a denied petition

Good to know

• An ACT score is not required

  A junior can qualify with a 3.50 unweighted GPA or the upper third of the class instead of an ACT of 24, and a senior with a 3.25 GPA or the upper half of the class instead of an ACT of 21. Other paths include Smarter Balanced, PreACT, or Accuplacer scores.

Who to contact

Claire Rizzio, USD's dual credit advisor, answers questions about eligibility, course choice, and registration.

877-269-6837 Dual credit page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in South Dakota

You must file an alternative-instruction notification with the Department of Education or local district within 30 days of starting. Update it within 30 days of moving or returning to public or private school; no annual renewal is required.

South Dakota sets these rules:

• Subjects: Provide instruction in language arts and mathematics and ensure the child masters English.
• Testing: No routine annual homeschool standardized test or score submission is required. Public-school reentry may involve testing.
• Records: South Dakota does not require homeschool records.
• Teachers: No state teaching certificate is required. No alternative instructor may instruct more than 22 children.

Read the South Dakota homeschooling guide See statewide programs in South Dakota

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