The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is implemented under the USDA Fellows Experience Program (FEP). Scholars accepted into the program will be appointed using the Schedule A(r) authority (5 CFR 213.3202) and are not eligible for noncompetitive conversion to full time employment upon graduation.
However, all USDA/1890 National Scholars are required to compete for appropriate employment immediately after graduation and, if selected, commit to at least one year of service to USDA for each year of financial assistance provided. (Note: Specific details of this service requirement will be outlined in the service agreement entered into by the selected Scholar, the University at which the Scholar is matriculated, and the USDA Sponsoring Agency.)
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
Goal The goal of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and the 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 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. Each award provides full tuition, as well as room and board, for the term of the scholarship. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree.
General Eligibility
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)
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.
