USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

What is the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program?

The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. The program awards scholarships to students to attend one of 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities.

What does a scholarship under the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program provide?

A scholarship under the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program provides:

1. Full tuition;
2. Employment with the USDA during the summer and after graduation;
3. Employee benefits while employed with USDA;
4. Fees;
5. Books;
6. Use of a laptop computer, printer, and software while on scholarship;
7. Room and board for each of the 4 academic years.

What are the eligibility requirements for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program?

Eligibility requirements for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program are as follows: Applicants must be U.S. citizens who have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate and are starting their first year of college for a bachelor’s degree. (Note: Since this program is intended to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or other related disciplines at participating institutions, currently enrolled bachelor-level students in these institutions are not eligible to apply.)

Applicant must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen;
2. Be an entering freshman;
3. Hold a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate;
4. Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or better;
5. Have a combined verbal/math score of 1,000 or more on the SAT or a composite score of 21 or more on the ACT;
6. Attend one of the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Institutions;
7. Study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or other related disciplines;
8. Demonstrate leadership and community service;
9. Apply for admission to the institution(s) of his or her choice;
10. Submit an official transcript with the school seal and an authorized official’s signature;
11. Sign all applications (original signature only);
12. All application materials must be postmarked no later than February 1st and sent to the institution(s) selected by the applicant to attend.

What are the 1890 Land-Grant Universities?

The 1890 Land Grant Universities are:

1. Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
2. Alcorn State University , Lorman , MS
3. Delaware State University , Dover , DE
4. Florida A&M University , Tallahassee , FL
5. Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
6. Kentucky State University , Frankfort , KY
7. Langston University , Langston , OK
8. Lincoln University , Jefferson City , MO
9. North Carolina A&T University , Greensboro , NC
10. Prairie View A&M University , Prairie View, TX
11. South Carolina State University , Orangeburg , SC
12. Southern University, Baton Rouge , LA
13. Tennessee State University , Nashville , TN
14. Tuskegee University , Tuskegee , AL
15. University of Arkansas , Pine Bluff , AR
16. University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
17. Virginia State University , Petersburg , VA
18. West Virginia State University , Institute, WV

What is the application deadline for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program?

The application deadline for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is February 1st  of each calendar year.

Where can an application for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program be obtained?

Applications for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program can be obtained at:

USDA/1890 Programs
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250, Mail Stop 9478
Telephone number: (202) 205-5692
Email Address: 1890init@usda.gov

NRCS 1890 National Scholars Program Coordinator
Ms. Kimberly Rodgers
5601 Sunnyside Avenue
Beltsville, Maryland 20705, Mailstop 5472
Telephone Number: (301) 504-2309
Fax Number: (301) 504-2175
Email Address: Kimberly.Rodgers@wdc.usda.gov

USDA 1890 National Scholars Application

When are the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program applicants notified?

Notification procedures are as follows:

Scholarship offers are usually made within 90 days of application deadline.