USDA Suspends 1890 National Scholars Program
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has suspended the 1890 National Scholars Program, which provided full scholarships to students from rural and underserved communities attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The program's website now indicates that it is "suspended pending further review."
Program Overview
Established in 1992, the 1890 National Scholars Program aimed to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields at the 19 federally funded historically Black land-grant universities. In fiscal year 2024, the USDA allocated $19.2 million to support 94 students through this initiative.
Reactions and Implications
The suspension has drawn criticism from lawmakers and educators. Representative Alma Adams of North Carolina expressed concern, stating that the program "is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not an example of it."
The USDA has not provided a specific timeline for the suspension or details on when the program might resume. This uncertainty has raised concerns about the future of support for students at these institutions.
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