The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program to bolster educational and career opportunities for students from rural or underserved communities. It was established in 1992 as part of the partnership between USDA and the 1890 land-grant universities.
The scholarship provides recipients with full tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Scholars attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The scholarship may also include work experience at USDA.
Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application. Scholarships are available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors.
“The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program helps to create a pipeline of skilled employees for USDA and the United States agriculture sector,” said Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Director Lisa Ramirez.
Last year (Fiscal Year 2023), the USDA awarded 100 of the 1890 scholarships.
The partnership between the USDA and 19 historically Black land-grant universities that were established in the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1890.
The USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement manages the 1890 National Scholars Program, which is aimed at increasing the number of students from rural and underserved communities who study food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related sciences.
To be eligible, students must be a U.S. citizen with a GPA of 3.0 or better, a minimum 21 ACT or 1080 SAT score, have been accepted for admission or are currently attending one of the 19 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities, and be studying agriculture or a related discipline.
These are the (19) 1890 universities:
- Alabama A&M University
- Alcorn State University, Mississippi
- Central State University, Ohio
- Delaware State University
- Florida A&M University
- Fort Valley State University, Georgia
- Kentucky State University
- Langston University, Oklahoma
- Lincoln University, Missouri
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Prairie View A&M University, Texas
- South Carolina State University
- Southern University, Louisiana
- Tennessee State University
- Tuskegee University, Alabama
- University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Virginia State University
- West Virginia State University
