A federal scholarship program designed to support students from underserved and rural communities attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) has been suspended.
The 1890 Scholars Program, which provided full tuition and fees for students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, or natural resource sciences, has been put on hold by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Suspension and Uncertain Future
The USDA has not specified exactly when the program was suspended, but members of Congress began criticizing the decision on Thursday. The department acknowledged the suspension in a statement on its website, confirming that the program is under review pending further evaluation.
The timing of this suspension aligns with a funding freeze initiated by the Trump administration, which sought to assess whether federal spending complied with the administration’s executive orders, particularly those related to climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This freeze has been legally challenged, and a court has temporarily blocked the executive action.
Impact on HBCUs and Students
The 1890 Scholars Program supported students attending 19 land-grant HBCUs, including:
- Alabama A&M University
- Florida A&M University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Tuskegee University
The program, originally established in 1992, was named after the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which created land-grant HBCUs to provide Black students with access to higher education in agriculture and technical fields.
To qualify for the scholarship, students had to:
- Be U.S. citizens
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Be accepted to one of the 19 land-grant universities
- Pursue agriculture or related studies
- Demonstrate leadership and community service
USDA’s Response and Next Steps
A USDA spokesperson assured that current scholars—over 300 students—will be allowed to complete their studies and finish their work with the department. However, new applicants remain in limbo as Secretary Brooke Rollins reviews the program’s mission, funding, and efficiency.
In October 2023, the USDA allocated $19.2 million for the program, and in fiscal year 2024, a total of 94 students received scholarships. With the suspension in place, future funding remains uncertain.
Legal and Political Reactions
The funding freeze that coincided with the suspension has faced legal challenges, with a temporary court hold already in effect. Lawmakers and education advocates have expressed concerns that pausing the program could undermine efforts to support Black students in agriculture and STEM fields.
What’s Next for Affected Students?
While current recipients will continue receiving funding, prospective students who had hoped to apply for the scholarship may need to explore alternative funding options until the USDA completes its review. The future of the 1890 Scholars Program remains uncertain, pending further policy decisions and potential legal outcomes.
FAQs:
Why was the 1890 Scholars Program suspended?
The USDA placed the program on hold to review its alignment with executive orders regarding climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Will current scholars lose their funding?
No. The USDA has confirmed that all current scholarship recipients will retain their funding and complete their studies.
Which universities are affected?
The suspension impacts 19 historically Black land-grant institutions, including Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T, and Tuskegee University.
