February 25th 2025.
Great news for HBCU students! The highly esteemed 1890 National Scholars program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been reinstated after a federal judge appointed by President Joe Biden ruled that former President Donald Trump's executive order on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) was "arbitrary and discriminatory." This program, which distributed a whopping $19.2 million to 94 students last year, provides full tuition, room and board for HBCU students pursuing studies in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related sciences.
The USDA's website now proudly announces that the "1890s National Scholars Program application period has been reopened," replacing the previous message stating that the program was "suspended pending further review," as reported by AL.com last week. As we previously reported at BLACK ENTERPRISE, the suspension was lifted on February 24, thanks to U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson's temporary blockage of Trump's order to terminate "equity-related grants or contracts" on his first day in office.
In his ruling, Judge Abelson highlighted the vagueness of the term "equity-related grants or contracts," which could lead to arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. He also noted that this lack of clarity does not give current grantees enough notice to adjust their conduct in order to avoid losing their grants or contracts. This is a major victory for HBCU students and their communities, as the 1890 Scholars program plays a crucial role in cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders and scholars.
One of the universities benefiting from this program is Alabama A&M, which has 35 scholars in high-demand majors such as food science, forestry, and other vital areas in agriculture. According to one of the university's administrators, this program is a crucial resource for students and a significant contributor to the growth of the farming industry in our nation. Representative Terri Sewell also emphasized the importance of these scholarships in developing future leaders and warned against the harmful effects of suspending them.
Sewell took to Twitter to express her relief and call for the Trump administration to reverse their decision. She stated that suspending these scholarships would not only deprive students of valuable opportunities but also have a negative impact on farming communities in the long run. Other recipients of the USDA's 1890 National Scholars Program include prestigious institutions such as Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University, Southern University, Tuskegee University, and Virginia State University.
Students who are interested in applying for this program can now do so on the USDA's website, as the deadline has been extended from March 1 to March 15. It's crucial to note that the program has specific eligibility criteria and only accepts applications from students pursuing certain study disciplines. So, if you or someone you know is interested in this fantastic opportunity, make sure to visit the program's page for more information. This reinstatement is not only a win for HBCU students but also a step in the right direction towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
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