Several awards and scholarships are available to students in scientific fields to provide financial aid for their academic endeavors.

Internally, USD offers the Hayes scholarship and the Cole Manes Award. Undergraduate students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Science, or Physics with a GPA of 3.25 or higher are eligible to be considered for the Hayes scholarship, which may be applied toward the student's expenses at USD. The Cole Manes Award is for undergraduate students majoring in biology only.

Many USD students have also successfully applied for national scholarships, such as the Fulbright, Goldwater, and Udall scholarships.

The Fulbright Scholarship is a highly prestigious national scholarship for graduating seniors and master's candidates who are thinking about studying or conducting research abroad. To apply for a Fulbright Scholarship, students must contact Dr. James Gump, the local Fulbright Program Advisor for USD.

The Goldwater Scholarship awards undergraduates who excel in science and mathematics. Sophomores and juniors who are majoring in mathematics, engineering or the natural sciences are eligible. Goldwater Scholars are expected to pursue graduate degrees; pre-med students are eligible if they intend to have a career in research rather than private medical practice. The Goldwater Foundation awards approximately 300 scholarships each year. USD selects up to four students to nominate to the national committee.

The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and supports students who have interest in careers relating to the environment or Native Americans who are committed to careers in tribal policy or health care. Sophomores and juniors who are dedicated to pursuing a career that relates to the environment are eligible. Additionally, Native American and Alaska Native sophomores and juniors who are interested in tribal public policy or heath care are also eligible. Nominations for the Udall Scholarship are made through USD's faculty representative.