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USDA Suspends, Then Reopens 1890 Scholars Program for HBCUs

Elite Personal Finance

Last Update: March 4, 2025 • Financial News •

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revived the 1890 Scholars Program, providing an opportunity for students from underserved and rural communities, as well as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to receive scholarships in agricultural disciplines such as forestry, home economics, agricultural engineering, natural resources management, farm/range management, soil science, and more.

As part of Trump’s crackdown on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the educational space, lawmakers and activists sounded the alarm, urging the USDA to reconsider scrapping the program and extend application deadlines to March 15, 2025. This has sparked a debate over the role of DEI programs in providing opportunities to underserved communities, particularly land-grant HBCUs, which have historically relied on federal funding to remain afloat.

Under the previous Biden administration, there was a much heavier emphasis on strengthening support for institutions addressing workforce shortages and minority needs. The crackdown on the 1890 Scholars Program targets both.

Keep reading to learn more about the USDA’s decision to suspend and reinstate the 1890 Scholars Program, what it is, who it serves, and the eligibility requirements for all colleges and universities affected by the change.

What is the 1890 Scholars Program?

Established in 1982 under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, a federal initiative focused on creating higher education opportunities for African-American students, the 1890 Scholars Program aims to serve students from primarily rural communities. It provides scholarships and degrees in agricultural fields, including but not limited to forestry and animal science. These scholarships cover full tuition costs and additional fees such as room and board, offering equal and full access to underserved communities while emphasizing the need to contribute to the nation’s food supply.

As of today, the 1890 Scholars Program has been prominent at roughly 19 land-grant historically Black colleges and universities, including Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M. The USDA awarded nearly $20 million for the entire 2024 academic year. On average, each student eligible for the 1890 Scholars Program scholarships has received roughly $39,000, which quickly covers the cost of a single year of tuition in any agriculture and food science program.

Today, fewer than 100 students apply each year, and roughly a third of applicants earn scholarships through the program.

Upon initially pulling the program, there was widespread outcry. In a statement, Garlen Dale Wesson, interim Dean of Agriculture & Food Science at Florida A&M University (FAMU), explained the state of the program and its current enrollment status:

“As a result, Florida A&M University may not have an incoming class of USDA 1890 Scholars for the 2025 academic year. However, this decision does not affect the 20 current scholars enrolled in the program, who will continue to receive their scholarship benefits and assistance as previously awarded. Additionally, other agriculture scholarships awarded to FAMU remain unaffected.”

Here’s a full list of colleges and universities affected by the change:

Alabama A&M University
Alcorn State University
Central State University
Delaware State 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 System
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Virginia State University
West Virginia State University

To qualify for the program, students must be U.S. citizens with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, a minimum ACT score of 21, or a minimum SAT score of 1080, and must be currently enrolled at one of the universities offering the 1890 scholarship. Other factors also come into play, such as demonstrated leadership and a compelling 250-500 word essay on a student’s motivations for joining an agriculture program. The program is open to high school seniors, rising college sophomores, and juniors.

In exchange for the scholarship, students commit to providing at least one year of service to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For example, someone with a 3-year scholarship is expected to serve for 3 years, with additional details outlined in the service agreement in the program’s charter.

For more information on the 1890 Scholars Program, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1890 National Scholars Program website.

On March 3, 2025, the USDA provided additional information about the 1890 National Scholars Program. It hosted a webinar on March 4 to discuss all aspects of the program, including eligibility requirements and fields of study.

The Verdict

At ElitePersonalFinance, we view the reinstatement of the USDA 1890 Scholars Program as a positive step. If you’re looking for similar financial aid programs, we highly recommend the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the USDA’s Wallace-Carver Fellowship, and the United Negro College Fund, all of which offer theme-based scholarships for minority students, particularly in the fields of science, engineering, and math.

There’s also no shortage of corporate initiatives from agriculture companies like John Deere, which offer opportunities in food security, agricultural engineering, and related fields.

Understanding the shifting political landscape surrounding financial aid resources puts you in a better position to seek the scholarships you need to advance your collegiate education.

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