Feb 25, 2025 Story by: Editor
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is urging President Trump to reinstate an education program that supports students from rural and underserved communities pursuing agricultural degrees at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indefinitely suspended the 1890 Scholarship Program, stating on its website that the program is “pending further review.”
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the CBC, strongly condemned the decision, calling it “an outrageous disruption that undermines efforts to make higher education accessible for Black students and correct our nation’s history of systemic racial discrimination within the land-grant system.”
Clarke further criticized the administration, stating, “President Trump repeatedly promised the American people that he would work to lower the costs of living and create greater access to economic opportunity, including for Black communities. Since January 20th, 2025, this administration has been on a cruel rampage, showing us every day that hard-working Americans are not their priority. Instead of working to make our lives better, the Trump administration continues to try to take our country backward.”
While the USDA did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment, the Trump administration has previously rolled back multiple federal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The 1890 Scholarship Program, established in 1992, provides full tuition, room, and board for students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related fields. Last year, the program awarded over $19 million to 94 students across 19 participating HBCUs.
With the application deadline set for March 1, the CBC is calling for the program’s immediate reinstatement. Clarke emphasized its significance, stating, “For decades, this program has been vital to the success of the agriculture industry, and CBC has championed this historic and bipartisan program to open doors to talented students from underserved communities.”
CBC members have voiced outrage over the suspension, warning of its disproportionate impact on Black students aspiring to enter the agricultural sector.
Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) called the suspension a “clear attack on an invaluable program” that makes higher education more accessible. “This program is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not an example of it,” Adams stated, describing the suspension as “targeted and mean-spirited.”
Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) also criticized the decision, calling it “another egregious attack on fairness and opportunity” by the Trump administration. “Freezing a scholarship program for students from rural and underserved communities to study agriculture punishes talented students and hurts our future,” she said.
The USDA, however, reassured that students currently in the program would be allowed to complete their studies.
“To be clear, every scholar — over 300 — regardless of matriculation date, was retained to finish their studies and complete their work with the Department. In line with President Trump’s directive, USDA is optimizing operations and strengthening its ability to serve farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture community. Like other programs within the Department, Secretary Rollins will continue to review the 1890 National Scholars Program, its mission, and its metrics to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer resources,” a USDA spokesperson told The Hill. Source: The Hill
