USDA reinstates 1890 National Scholars Program at NC A&T State University, other HBCUs
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — The United States Department of Agriculture has reinstated a scholarship program that serves students from rural or underserved communities.
now reads: 'The USDA 1890s National Scholars Program application period has been reopened, and applications will be accepted through March 15th. Please check this page again for information about upcoming webinars.'
The program was suspended last week for 'further review'.
The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program was established in 1992 as part of the partnership between the USDA and the 1890 land-grant universities.
The 1890 National Scholars Program 'is aimed at increasing the number of students from rural and underserved communities who study food, agriculture, natural resource and other related sciences. The scholarship provides recipients with full tuition, fees, books, room and board. Scholars attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines,' the website says.
In addition to North Carolina A&T State University, these are the 1890 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
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
Last week, U.S. Rep. Alma S. Adams (D-NC), who represents the state's 12th Congressional District, released a statement criticizing the program's suspension:
It is infuriating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended the 1890 Scholars Program 'pending further review. This is a clear attack on an invaluable program that makes higher education accessible for everybody, and provides opportunities for students to work at USDA, especially in the critical fields of food safety, agriculture, and natural resources that Americans rely on every single day. This program is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not an example of it. I demand USDA immediately rescind this targeted and mean-spirited suspension and reinstate the 1890 Scholars Program, for which the deadline for students to apply was originally March 1, 2025.
U.S. Rep. Alma S. Adams (D-District 12)
Adams released another statement on Tuesday praising the reinstatement of the program.
I'm pleased @SecRollins has lifted the suspension of the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. This program has been in place since 1992, and I hope we can work together to address the real challenges and real opportunities for our 1890s and our HBCUs.
U.S. Rep. Alma S. Adams (D-District 12)
This school year at NC A&T, there are about one dozen students who rely on those funds for their education.
'I think this is not really a wasteful program. I think it helps a lot of people, including myself,' said Tara Lepore.
She is a sustainable land food systems major at NC A&T State. Lapore is also one of 94 students nationwide on the scholarship this year.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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