USDA Sparks Outrage by Suspending HBCU Scholarship Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has suspended a scholarship program designed to support students from rural and underserved communities attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), according to the program’s official website.

The 1890 Scholars Program, which aims to increase enrollment in agriculture-related fields at the nation’s 19 historically Black land-grant universities, is now listed as “suspended pending further review” on its webpage.

The USDA has not provided an official response regarding the decision. The move follows broader federal rollbacks of diversity and inclusion initiatives under the administration of President Donald Trump.

The program offers full tuition, room, and board to recipients. In 2024, the USDA allocated $19.2 million in scholarships to 94 students, according to agency records.

Representative Alma Adams of North Carolina, a co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus, criticized the suspension, calling it “a clear attack on an invaluable program that ensures higher education remains accessible to all.” She added, “This scholarship corrects historic racial inequities in the land-grant system, not contributes to them.”

It remains unclear exactly when the program was halted. However, archived versions of the website reviewed by Reuters indicate the suspension notice has been in place since at least February 16.