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USDA 1890 National Scholars Program

Program Overview

The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. The program awards scholarships to students attending one of the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines, and willing to work full-time with the USDA upon graduation. The eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities are as follows:

  • Alabama A&M University
  • Alcorn State University, Mississippi
  • 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

Purpose
The purpose of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is to:

  • strengthen the long-term partnership between USDA and the 1890 Land-Grant Universities;
  • increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or other related disciplines; and
  • offer career opportunities to USDA/1890 National Scholars at the USDA.

Objective
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program offers scholarships to U.S. citizens that are seeking a bachelor’s degree at one of the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions in any field of study in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or other related disciplines. National Scholars are required to study in the following or related disciplines.

  • 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
  • Soil Conservation/Soil Science
  • Farm and Range Management
  • Other related disciplines, (e.g. non-medical biological sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, computer science)

The Award
Scholarships are awarded annually and must be used at one of the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions. Each award provides annual tuition, employment, employee benefits, and use of a laptop computer, printer and software while on scholarship, fees, books, room and board for each of the academic years the scholarship is awarded, plus a requirement to work in the Student Educational Employment Program. Each annual scholarship renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the scholar's academic degree program, there is an obligation of 1 year of service to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each year of financial support.

General Eligibility
To be eligible for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program a student must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Be interested in attending one of the eighteen 1890 Land-Grant Universities
  • Intend to 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)

Who Should Apply
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is available to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors.

 

Application Requirements
High School Seniors College Students
  • Be a graduating high school senior
  • Expect to hold a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) Certificate
  • Have a combined verbal/mat/written score of 1,500 or more on the SAT (note: 1,000 or more combined for those universities that only accept verbal/math score) or a composite score of 21 or more on the ACT

 
  • Submit a current resume
  • Submit two letters of recommendation
  • Submit a 500-800 word essay describing (1) your interest in USDA, (2) how you envision the scholarship will impact you and your future as a public servant, and (3) your experience and perceptions about agriculture, food, and natural resource sciences

 

Deadline
All application materials must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2012 and sent to the University (ies) selected by the applicant to attend. (University addresses are included in the actual application packet.)

  • Download the 2011-2012 USDA/1890 National Scholars Program High School Application HERE.
  • Download the 2011-2012 USDA/1890 National Scholars Program College Application HERE.

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