From staff reports
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with S.C. State University Public Service & Agriculture (PSA), is now accepting applications (through March 1) for the 2024 USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. Selected scholars are awarded full tuition and fees. The scholarship also covers books, room and board.
Scholars are also provided summer internship opportunities with a USDA agency. After graduation the student is converted to a full-time employee if he or she successfully completes the required academic and summer work requirements of the program.
“USDA is looking for the next generation of ag leaders and employees,” USDA liaison Travis Johnson said in a news release. “As the agriculture industry continues to grow, more career opportunities will become available for students who successfully fulfill their requirements as scholars.”
High-school seniors entering their freshmen year of college, and rising college sophomores and juniors are eligible for the scholarship. To apply, the applicant must major in agriculture or an agriculture-related field, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a minimum SAT score of 1080 or ACT score of 21 (for high school applicants) and have been accepted to or currently enrolled at an 1890 institution.
Selected students are required to intern with the sponsoring agency each summer, noted Johnson.
Students majoring in the following disciplines are eligible to apply: Accounting, Agribusiness, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Family and Consumer Science, Marketing, Management, and Nutrition.
“The USDA 1890 national scholars program is a great opportunity for students to advance their careers in the agricultural fields,” said Louis Whitesides, Ph.D., vice president of SC State PSA and executive director of 1890 Research & Extension. “The agricultural industry plays a major role in the United States, as it accounts for nearly 22 million jobs. We want to position our students to be in the forefront in their respective fields leading and taking agriculture to a new level.”
The partnership established between USDA and 1890 institutions aims to increase the number of agriculture, food, natural resource sciences and other ag-related disciplines among 1890 schools.
For more information on the 2024 USDA 1890 National Scholars Program and to apply online, visit www.usda.gov/partnerships/1890NationalScholars.
To apply, applicants must create an online user account at usda.gov. To view instructions for creating an online user account on usda.gov, visit 1890.info/usda_account.
For more information or to receive help in applying to the UDSA 1890 National Scholarship Program, contact Travis Johnson, USDA liaison at 202-596-4442 or travis.johnson@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
