A scholarship that provided assistance to HBCU students will no longer exist.
In 1992, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the 1890 National Scholars Program through a collaboration with 1890 land-grant universities, which refer to the 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that benefited from resources established by the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, according to Montana State University. The first act was established to ensure broader access to education in agriculture, military tactics, and engineering for the working class, and the second act provided further funding to include HBCUs.
Recipients benefit from full tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Eligibility requirements include studying the fields listed above or related ones, being a U.S. citizen, maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0, and having a minimum ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 1080. Students must also have acceptance to one of the mentioned universities, a school transcript, and college entrance essay, as well as demonstrate leadership qualities and a commitment to community service.
In fiscal year 2024, 94 individuals became recipients of the scholarship from participating schools, which include Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University – Mississippi, Florida A&M University, Kentucky State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University – Texas, and South Carolina State University, among others.
Despite the scholarship’s benefit over the years, it has hit a standstill and will no longer be available to students. Reuters reports it has been suspended.
“The 1890 Scholars Program has been suspended pending further review,” a banner on the scholarship’s website link reads.
Reuters notes the timeline of the scholarships removal is unclear but traces the placement of the banner back to no later than Feb. 16.
The scholarship’s dismantling is part of the shift in education that is swiftly taking effect, led by conservative groups and President Donald Trump’s White House. As AFROTECH™ reported, a two-week deadline had been issued by the Department of Education for schools and universities to dismantle their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. “Racial preferences” can no longer be considered for admission, financial aid, or hiring.
In regards to the closure of the 1890 Scholars Program, Representative Alma Adams of North Carolina, founder and co-chair of a congressional HBCU caucus, stated, per Reuters, “This is a clear attack on an invaluable program that makes higher education accessible for everybody. This program is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not an example of it.”
