The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program aims to expand participation by American Indian and Alaska Native students in agriculture, food, natural resources, and related fields. USDA describes a combination of education support and work experience, with coverage that may follow a student from a Tribal College and University to a four-year institution, subject to an approved academic path and program rules.
USDA materials describe tuition, fees, books, housing or living support, employment, and benefits for selected students at one of 35 federally recognized Tribal Colleges and Universities. Support may last up to four years, depending on the approved plan. Eligibility is tied to citizenship, study at an eligible institution, academic field, performance, and work commitments; this is not an unrestricted award for any major or campus.
The program includes paid work and an internship, and a scholar may be considered for USDA employment after completing the degree and program requirements; conversion is not automatic. USDA says hiring remains subject to agency criteria and needs. Before selecting a school, confirm which TCUs participate, whether the intended major is approved, and how a later transition to another college would be handled.
The current official page describes the program but does not publish an open application deadline for a new 2026–27 cycle. Do not treat old forms or announcements as a current cutoff. Contact Tribal Relations or the program’s official office to confirm when the next selection opens and what documents it requires; prepare transcripts, eligibility records, and an academic plan, but do not send sensitive material outside the federal portal it designates.
Before submitting, confirm whether the deadline is national, state, school, or campus-based, who must send each document, and the time zone. Keep receipts and check application status. Ask the financial-aid office how the award combines with FAFSA, other scholarships, and the full cost of attendance.
Read the aid-program profile and the FAFSA guide; confirm how funding is coordinated.
USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program — U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Tribal Relations.
NIFA Student Employment Programs — USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Information verified against official sources on October 13, 2026. Amounts, dates, and rules can change; confirm the cycle and terms with the administering organization before submitting documents or accepting an award.
Confirm eligibility and the deadline on the official cycle page before submitting.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program aims to expand participation by American Indian and Alaska Native students in agriculture, food, natural resources, and related fields. USDA describes a combination of education support and work experience, with coverage that may follow a student from a Tribal College and University to a four-year institution, subject to an approved academic path and program rules. USDA materials describe tuition, fees, books, housing or living support, e
College scholarship and financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Tribal Relations · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official program information and application ↗
Primary source
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Tribal Relations · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program ↗
Primary source
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.