Are you a student from a rural or underserved community looking to pursue a career in agriculture, food, or natural resource sciences? The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the 2024 program until March 1, 2024.
Benefits of the Program
Selected scholars will receive comprehensive support, including full tuition coverage, fees, books, room and board expenses. Additionally, scholars will have the opportunity to pursue their degrees at one of the 1890 land-grant universities and gain valuable work experience at the USDA. This program plays a pivotal role in USDA’s Next Generation efforts, aimed at cultivating the future leaders in agricultural and related sciences.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
- Achieve a minimum score of 21 on the ACT or 1080 on the SAT
- Have been accepted for admission or currently attend one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities
- Demonstrate leadership qualities and involvement in community service
- Submit an official transcript, at least two letters of reference, and a completed application
Study Disciplines
Scholars are required to pursue degrees in one of the following 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)