The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a major effort of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions, to award scholarships to selected students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at one of the nineteen 1890 Institutions in any field of study in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or other related disciplines.
USDA 1890 National Scholars Qualified Field of Studies
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Business/Management
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering/Mechanics
- Agricultural Production and Technology
- Agronomy or Crop Science
- Animal Sciences
- Botany
- Food Sciences/Technology
- Forestry and Related Sciences
- Home Economics/Nutrition
- Horticulture
- Natural Resources Management
- Farm and Range Management
- Other related disciplines, (e.g. non-medical biological sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, computer science)
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is available to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor’s degree.
National Scholars 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program will provide full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the following 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
National Scholars Program General Requirements
To be eligible for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program scholarship a student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)
- Have been accepted for admission or currently attending one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities.
- Study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or other related academic disciplines
- Demonstrate leadership and community service
- Submit an official transcript with the school seal and an authorized official’s signature
- Submit a signed application (original signature only)
1890 National Scholars Program Application Deadline
All application materials must be postmarked by Monday, April 11, 2016, and sent to the university (or universities) selected by the applicant to attend. (University addresses and contact information are included in the back of the application.)
Download the 2016 USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Application (High School)
Download the 2016 USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Application (College)
For any questions regarding the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, please contact:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
Office of Advocacy and Outreach
USDA/1890 Programs
1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 0170
Washington, DC 20250
Telephone Number: (202) 205-4307
Fax Number: (202) 720-7136
Email: 1890init@usda.gov
For more information visit the 1890 Scholars Program website: http://www.outreach.usda.gov/education/1890/index.htm
Source: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA.gov).
