Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture suspended its 1890 National Scholars Program. But following criticism from lawmakers, activists, and universities, the program was quickly reinstated.
According to the USDA website, the program aims to support “students from rural and underserved communities who study food, agriculture, natural resource, and other related sciences.” Scholarship awardees receive full tuition, fees, books, and boarding at one of the country’s 1890 land-grant, historically Black universities. In fiscal year 2024, the USDA awarded 1890 scholarships to 94 students.
The scholarship’s original application deadline was March 1. However, following its brief suspension the federal program’s “application period has been reopened, and applications will be accepted through March 15.”
