January 31 is deadline for USDA/1890 National Scholars Program
Prairie View A&M University is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage bright young people to study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or related disciplines. USDA recently announced that applications are now being accepted for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program for the 2022/2023 school year. Aspiring high school seniors as well as college freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to apply before the January 31, 2022 deadline.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program was established in 1992 as part of the partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the 1890 Land-Grant Universities. USDA/1890 scholarship recipients receive full tuition, fees, books, summer employment and employee benefits for each of the four years they pursue a bachelor’s degree. The partnering institutions provide room and board. Recipients are required to work one year (with pay) at USDA for each year they receive the scholarship. USDA/1890 National Scholars are selected by participating USDA agencies based on recommendations of participating 1890 Land-Grant Universities.
“This program furthers USDA’s goal of promoting and encouraging America’s young men and women to consider careers in agriculture and public service,” said Horace Hodge, USDA/1890 Program Liaison. “Under this terrific partnership, students benefit from an outstanding educational opportunity and USDA benefits from the knowledge, talent, diversity and skills that they will potentially bring to USDA.”
The goal of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food sciences, natural resource sciences, and other related disciplines. The program is open to high school seniors, rising college sophomores, and juniors who exhibit exemplary leadership traits and demonstrated community service.
The scholarship is highly competitive and provides for full tuition payment, among other benefits, for up to 4-years to selected students enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an 1890 Land-Grant University. The 1890 National Scholars Program partners with USDA agencies and staff offices to provide scholars with professional and educational opportunities. A sponsoring Agency Coordinator will be assigned to the scholar. The program Agency Coordinator will be the primary point of contact of the scholar. The Sponsoring Agency will work closely with scholars to provide ongoing support and ensure the Scholar is on track with degree requirements.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is implemented under the USDA Fellows Experience Program (FEP). Scholars accepted into the program will be appointed using the Schedule A(r) Authority (5 CFR 213.3202) and are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to fulltime employment upon graduation. If selected, commit to at least one year of service to USDA for each year of financial assistance provided. (Information taken from Prairieview press release and the 1890 National Scholars Program application)