The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is demanding that President Donald Trump reinstate the 1890 Scholarship Program, which supports students from underserved communities pursuing agriculture-related degrees at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suspended the program indefinitely on Thursday, listing it as “pending further review.” The program, established in 1992, provides full tuition, room, and board to students entering agriculture, food, and natural resource sciences.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to suspend the 1890 Scholars Program is an outrageous disruption that undermines access to higher education for Black students,” CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said. She accused the administration of reversing progress on economic opportunity.
Last year, the program awarded over $19 million in scholarships to 94 students across 19 HBCUs. CBC members have condemned the suspension, with Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) calling it a “clear attack” on racial equity in agriculture.
The USDA claims students already enrolled will finish their studies but has not committed to reinstating the program before its March 1 application deadline.
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