The USDA’s 1890 Scholars Program is a scholarship program that helps students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) study agriculture, food science, and natural resources. This program started in 1992, and it provides full scholarships that cover tuition, books, fees, and room and board at 19 universities known as 1890 land-grant universities. These universities have been important in providing education to Black students in fields that help improve agriculture and food systems in the United States.
In February 2025, the USDA made an unexpected decision to suspend the 1890 Scholars Program. Causing a lot of concern among students, teachers, and lawmakers because the program is so important for students, especially those from underserved communities, who want to pursue careers in agriculture. The suspension was part of a bigger review by the USDA of its programs, which included freezing funding for certain initiatives. This suspension came after the Trump administration’s removal of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion.)
However, the suspension did not last long. After a lot of people spoke out about how important the program is, the USDA decided to bring it back. They reopened the application period in March 2025, allowing students to apply for the scholarship again. According to the USDA’s website the 19 schools are, Alabama A&M, Alcorn State University, Central State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Lincoln University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Southern University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University and West Virginia State University.
The 1890 Scholars Program is not just about providing money for school; it’s also about addressing the unfairness that has existed in the agricultural field for a long time. In the past, many minorities, including Black people, have had fewer opportunities to study and work in agriculture. The 1890 Scholars Program helps fix this problem by giving students the chance to go to college, study agriculture, and work in a field that is very important to the future of our country. As issues like food security and climate change become bigger, it’s important to have a diverse group of people working on solutions.
To apply for the 1890 Scholars Program, students need to meet some requirements. They must be U.S. citizens, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be accepted to or currently attending one of the 19 HBCUs that are part of the program. They also need to plan on studying agriculture, food science, or a related subject. The program also looks for students who have shown leadership and community involvement.
The 1890 Scholars Program helps create a more diverse future in agriculture. By providing opportunities for students from all backgrounds to study and work in agriculture, the program ensures that there will be a team of people with different ideas and solutions to tackle challenges like feeding the world and protecting the environment.
