This paper analyzes three higher education grant programs in South Dakota: the Indian Education Grant; the Student Incentive Grant (SIG); and the Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG). The Indian Education Grant was created in 1949 by the legislature to provide 30 higher education scholarships for Indians. Since its inception, the Indian Education Grant has grown 1,246 percent, while higher education appropriations have grown 8,034 percent. Several administrative changes were made to the program, including not limiting the number of grants awarded yearly; establishing a cap of $250 per student per semester; shifting the responsibility of determining student eligibility from the Board of Regents to the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and allowing Indian students enrolled only in public institutions to receive grants. The most significant aspect of this program is a history of erratic federal funding. On the other hand, equal legislative appropriations to the SIG and TEG have become routine. Both programs assist in providing financial assistance to any eligible student who attends South Dakota postsecondary and higher education institutions. Both programs limit the size of grants awarded yearly to between $100 and $600. Only the TEG limits grants to those students attending certain private institutions in South Dakota. Although all three programs award grants based on financial need, the SIG and TEG differ from the Indian Education Grant in how they are administered and funded. This paper suggests that the SIG and TEG programs should be combined to provide grants of meaningful amounts to needy students. (LP)