White House Reinstates HBCU Scholar Program After Outcry
White House Reinstates HBCU Scholar Program After Backlash
Source: Andrew Harnik / Getty
The White House has reinstated an agricultural scholar program for HBCUs after an outcry over its abrupt suspension a week ago.
The White House has reopened applications for a federal scholarship program for studying agriculture at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) after numerous lawmakers expressed their outrage over its abrupt suspension the week before. The 1890 National Scholars Program, operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through their Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, was placed on hold by the Trump administration “pending further review,” according to officials in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order banning federal funding for programs utilizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“The application process was temporarily suspended pending review to ensure that the program, its mission, and its metrics ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer resources,” a USDA spokesperson said. “This review was completed late afternoon on [Monday].” They added that a webinar was scheduled for 6 P.M. EST next Tuesday (March 4) for students to learn more about the program. “OPPE will continue to support applicants and selected scholars as they matriculate through the program,” they stated. The webpage has been reopened, and interested students are encouraged to apply through March 15.
The reopening was approved by lawmakers in Congress who had expressed their outrage over the suspension. “I’m pleased the Secretary has lifted the suspension of and reopened the application for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program,” said Democratic Representative Alma Adams of North Carolina in a statement on the reversal. “This program has been in place since 1992, and I hope we can work together to address the real challenges and opportunities for our 1890s and our HBCUs.” Adams is a founding member of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus in Congress. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, who also called for the program’s return, said he would keep tabs on the program and USDA’s oversight. “The Trump Administration should never have paused this funding in the first place,” he said.
The 1890 National Scholars Program was created to aid those students from underserved communities seeking to get a four-year college education in agriculture and its related fields of forestry, botany, and animal science. In 2024, it supported 94 students at 19 HBCUs including Tuskeegee University at Alabama, Alabama A&M University, Fort Valley State University, and North Carolina A&T State University at an estimated cost of $19.2 million.
