Feds suspends the scholarship program, affecting the family in Tallahassee

USDA has suspended a scholarship program for students from historical universities of black field grants, including family.
The suspension is part of the review of the federal programs to ensure that they are aligned with the executive orders of President Trump, including the conclusion of Dei programs.
The program, established in 1992, offers scholarships to students from underestimated communities to study agriculture and related areas.

Department of US Agriculture suspended a scholarship program designed to increase the number of students for agriculture At the historical universities of grant of black land of the nation a decision that hits home Florida University A&M.

If the scholarships are not reinstalled, Famu and 18 other land guarantee Hbcu (colleges and black historical universities) will not have future cohorts of students through decades old program.

According to the announcement made on the USDA website last week for 1890 National Program of SavantThe scholarships were “suspended until additional review”.

“As a result, it is possible that the A&M University of Florida A&M will not have a class that came from $ 1890 for the academic year 2025″, ” Garlen Dale WessonFamu’s dean The College of Agriculture and Food SciencesHe said in a statement sent to Democrat Tallahassee on Monday.

“However, this decision does not affect the 20 current scientists registered in the program, who will continue to receive the benefits and assistance of their stock exchange, as previously granted. In addition, other Famu agricultural scholarships remain unaffected. “

The land granting institutions in 1890 are HBCU which were established with Federal Federal Subsidies in accordance with the second Morrill act of 1890, which forced states to set up those colleagues and universities for black students.

Through the scholarship program, established in 1992, students from underestimated communities are awarded money for the stock market to participate in terrestrial warranty HBCUs for a specific training related to agriculture, as well as animal science, botanical, forestry and many more.

But the suspension of the program comes as part of President Donald Trump’s directives during efforts to reduce all federal assistance that could conflict with his Recent executive ordersincluding programs to conclude diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

With the executive orders of Trump in progress, the scholarship program has been suspended while being revised to ensure that it is aligned with the new rules of the president starting January 20, which include “the conclusion of radical and wasteful government programs and preference . ”

The Scholars USDA program granted $ 19.2 million scholarships for HBCU students in fiscal year 2024 to provide them with full schooling, taxes, books, room and board. Famu receives $ 39,000 per student every year for scholarships through the program, according to a spokesman.

It is not clear whether most of the university scholarship beneficiaries are from Florida or outside the state. Also, while 50 to 60 students usually apply to Famu through the Scholars program of 1890 each year, it is not clear how many potential students have requested for the next school year before suspension.

“While this suspension presents a challenge for potential students who would have benefited from the scholarship, we remain employed to support scientists in the program,” Wesson said. “We will continue to collaborate with our corporate supporters and partners to ensure that students have access to opportunities in agriculture and food science.”

The University of Florida is the only university of terrestrial grants in the state, but it was established in accordance with the Morrill Law of 1862. In addition to the family, here are all the other 1890 earth guarantee hbcus that are part of the program:

Alabama University A&M
Alcorn State University
Central State University
Delaware State University
Fort Valley State University
Kentucky State University
Langston University
Lincoln University
Northern Carolina A&T State University
Prairie View A & M University
State University of South Carolina
Southern University System
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
University of Maryland East Shore
Virginia State University
Western Virginia State University

Tarah Jean is a reporter for Democrat Tallahassee. Can reach [email protected] and follow -o on x: @tarahjean_.