A scholarship for HBCU students created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reopened.

As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the department had established the 1890 National Scholars Program, which was intended to increase opportunities for underserved and rural communities, particularly in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related sciences. The scholarship was created in partnership with 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that received resources under the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, otherwise known as the 1890 land-grant universities.

The scholarship benefits include full tuition, fees, books, and room and board. 16 Virginia State University students receiving the scholarship view it as “an invaluable resource,” 8News reports. 

“A lot of us … it was hard for us to come to college alone. We can barely afford it,” VSU freshman Tobias Clark told the outlet.

Those very students were stunned when news broke that the 1890 National Scholars Program had been suspended. According to Reuters, the scholarship may have been discontinued as early as Feb. 16.

A banner on its website stated, “The 1890 Scholars Program has been suspended pending further review.”

“I was kind of getting excited because I [was] like, ‘Man, if I can get the scholarship, the rest of my expenses for the semester can be paid off,’” Clark mentioned. “But I had applied, woke up the next morning, and found out that it had been suspended.”

Clark added, “It was super personal. It was a shock.”

Although specific details of its cancellation were not disclosed, it follows a shift in priorities at the White House administration, including a two-week deadline issued by the Department of Education for schools and universities to eliminate DEI programs. This policy change prevents “racial preferences” from being considered in admissions, financial aid, or hiring decisions.

“We are still assessing the full impact of the USDA’s decision to suspend the 1890 Scholars Program, which currently supports 16 VSU students in their academic and professional pursuits within the agriculture industry,” a VSU spokesperson said. “This program has been an invaluable resource for HBCU students, and its suspension could have significant effects. However, we remain committed to advocating for and supporting all our students as best we can.”

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s website, that scholarship has been reopened, and applications are being accepted until March 15, 2025. In fiscal year 2024, the scholarship assisted 94 individuals from schools, including Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University MS, Florida A&M University, Kentucky State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Prairie View A&M University.

“The more Black faces we get in any field — even outside of agriculture — is going to push more Black individuals to go into those fields, and … it’ll just be good for the community as a whole,” Clark explained.