The USDA just dropped a bombshell on students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) across the country with respect to its scholarships program.
The department has suspended its 1890 National Scholars Program, a lifeline that covered tuition, fees, books, and room and board for students from rural and underserved communities. The move has sparked outrage, especially at schools like North Carolina A&T State University, the nation’s largest HBCU, where the impact will hit hard.
And here’s the kicker: The USDA hasn’t given a clear reason why.
Since 1992, the program has supported students at 19 land-grant HBCUs across the country, helping them pursue degrees in agriculture, food sciences, and related fields. The goal? To address racial disparities in agriculture and create more opportunities for Black students in a field where diversity has long been lacking.
In 2024 alone, 94 scholarships were awarded through the program. But now, with the program on pause, hundreds of current and future students are left wondering how they’ll pay for their education.
For many students at NC A&T and other HBCUs, this program was the difference between pursuing their dreams and putting them on hold. Without it, some may have to take on debt, or drop out altogether. And it’s not just about the students. These scholarships helped universities build stronger agriculture and STEM programs, creating a pipeline of diverse talent ready to tackle the industry’s biggest challenges.
Now, that pipeline is at risk of drying up. And with fewer students enrolling in agriculture programs, the long-term impact could be felt across the entire industry.
At NC A&T, the suspension hits especially hard. As the largest HBCU in the country and a leading land-grant institution, A&T has built a reputation for innovation in agriculture and STEM. Losing the USDA scholarships means losing some of the best and brightest students, students who might now have to rethink their futures.
Without that financial support, enrollment in agriculture programs could take a hit, which in turn could affect research funding and industry partnerships. Simply put, the suspension doesn’t just hurt students, it could slow down the university’s progress as a whole.
While the USDA hasn’t given a clear reason for the suspension, the timing has raised eyebrows. The decision comes after executive orders from the Trump Administration that rolled back federal diversity and inclusion programs, moves that critics say disproportionately impact minority communities.
Representative Alma Adams, founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, didn’t hold back. She called the suspension “a clear attack on an invaluable program that makes higher education accessible for everybody.” And she’s not alone, advocates and stakeholders across the country are already gearing up to fight for the program’s reinstatement.
This isn’t just about one scholarship program, it’s about who gets access to higher education and the opportunities that come with it. For decades, HBCUs have played a crucial role in breaking down barriers for Black students, especially in fields like agriculture where diversity is still lacking.
Cutting off funding means cutting off those opportunities. And at a time when the agricultural industry is already struggling to attract young talent, losing this pipeline of future leaders could have ripple effects for years to come.
Right now, the USDA says the HBCU scholarships program is under review, but they haven’t given any indication of when (or if) it might be reinstated. In the meantime, NC A&T and other affected universities are expected to push back hard. Expect to see university leaders, students, and advocates putting pressure on both the USDA and lawmakers to bring the program back.
In the short term, schools may have to look for alternative funding sources to help students who were counting on these scholarships. But the long-term fight is just beginning, and it’s a fight that could shape the future of HBCUs and the students they serve.
The suspension of the USDA’s 1890 National Scholarships Program for HBCU’s is more than a budget cut, it’s a setback for students, universities, and an industry that desperately needs diverse voices. With no clear explanation from the USDA, the fight to bring back the program is just beginning. And for students at NC A&T and other HBCUs, the question now is whether those in power will step up to support their future, or leave them to figure it out on their own.
