Students: Apply now for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program offering full tuition, books, room and board
The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program was established in 1992 as part of the partnership between USDA and the 1890 land-grant universities. (USDA)
Applications are now being accepted for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1890 National Scholars Program.
The program provides students full tuition, fees, books, room and board, and a summer internship which could lead to full-time employment with USDA after graduation.
Big picture view:
The scholarship is available to eligible high school seniors entering their first year of college that will attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities to pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. Rising college sophomores and juniors are also eligible to apply if they meet the same criteria.
The backstory:
The program is a partnership between USDA and the 19 land-grant institutions, which are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that were established under the Second Morrill Land Grand Act of 1890, which required states to create colleges and universities for Black students.
USDA 1890 National Scholars Program partner 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
What you can do:
Visit USDA.gov to learn more about the 1890 National Scholars Program and how to apply. The application deadline is March 8, 2026.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This story was reported from Orlando.