USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement — 1890 National Scholars

USDA 1890 National Scholars is a federal programme for students pursuing an agricultural or related bachelor’s degree at one of the 19 land-grant universities associated with the Second Morrill Act of 1890. The list includes Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T, Tuskegee, Prairie View A&M, and other historically Black institutions. It is not a general scholarship for every HBCU or major: both the campus and field of study must fit the official list.

The USDA page describes coverage for tuition, fees, books, room, and board, plus a summer internship. Annual renewal depends on satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward a bachelor’s degree. The page says an internship may lead to federal employment after graduation; the current public programme page does not detail post-graduation service terms. Request and review the current agreement, including service, renewal, and withdrawal provisions, before accepting.

The 2026 application was open through March 8 and is now closed. USDA said high-school seniors entering college and rising college sophomores or juniors could apply. Published criteria include U.S. citizenship, a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, ACT 21 or SAT 1080, admission to or enrollment at a participating university, leadership and community service, official transcripts, and essays of 250–500 words. Check the next call; the March date should not automatically be assumed for 2027.

The application essays ask students to connect their studies to agriculture, food, natural resources, or a related discipline and to explain how the programme supports career goals. Confirm that the application has reopened before gathering recommendations or paying to translate documents. USDA lists 1890init@usda.gov as the programme contact. Renewal remains subject to progress requirements and available programme funding.

Do not confuse 1890 National Scholars with NIFA’s Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions programme. NIFA posts grants for the 19 universities, not a federal application that each student submits directly. For FY 2026, the institutional competition ran from August 10 to September 10; each university runs a competitive process to choose students. If you already attend an 1890 campus, ask its scholarship or financial-aid office what institutional funding is available.

<a data-profile="usda-national">USDA takes individual 1890 National Scholars applications when the annual window opens</a>; <a data-profile="nifa-1890">NIFA explains the scholarship grant competition that eligible universities submit</a>. Before planning enrollment around this award, check the cycle status, major, campus, test scores, renewal rules, and current agreement terms.

Who it serves and what it can cover: USDA 1890 National Scholars covers tuition, fees, books, room, and board, plus a summer internship; the programme page says the internship may lead to federal employment. It targets U.S. citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA, ACT 21 or SAT 1080, admission to one of 19 1890 land-grant universities, and agriculture-related study. The current public programme page does not detail a mandatory service commitment; confirm the terms in the current award agreement and application before accepting.

How to apply or get help: The USDA page says the 2026 application closed March 8 and lists 1890init@usda.gov as the contact. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information