1890 Scholarship Program

Agriculture is everywhere. The food we eat and many of the vital products we use every day are all thanks to a robust agriculture industry that needs a skilled, competitive workforce for a sustainable future. The 1890 Scholarship Program provides scholarships to eligible students majoring in food, agriculture and natural resource-related degree programs. More details can be found on this brochure.

Funded by Congress and administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, scholarships are available to eligible students majoring in one of the following options and concentrations:

Bachelor of Science in Biology: Option in Plant and Soil Science -- This option combines the fields of biology and chemistry with a practical understanding of crop and soil management. The program offers students technical knowledge in the areas of soils and fertilizers, pests and control procedures, and crop management. This is accomplished with lecture/discussion periods, hands-on lab activities, and visits to farms and natural resource sites.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: Option in Applied: This option affords the student the opportunity to obtain positions not only in industrial/environmental/governmental laboratories, but also in chemical sales/service sectors. Special emphasis will be given to chemical practices which are environmentally benign.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Concentration in Agribusiness -- This concentration is designed for students interested in acquiring academic and experiential learning skills specifically related to the agribusiness sector. In addition to specialty courses in this area, such as economic biology, agricultural economics, agricultural marketing, agricultural issues and policy, and agricultural finance and trade, students will obtain a strong background in other areas of business, including accounting, management and business law. The concentration incorporates various experiential learning activities, as well as a summer internship to gain the practical knowledge and skills necessary to proceed directly into the workforce or to continue on to graduate school.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics: Concentration in Agricultural Economics -- This concentration is designed for students who have an interest in obtaining academic and experiential learning skills specifically related to agricultural economics. Students take a broad range of economics courses in addition to four specialty courses: agricultural economics, agricultural finance and trade, agricultural issues and policy, and agricultural marketing. Students also take courses that provide basic knowledge in statistics, quantifying business decisions, accounting, business law and management. This concentration includes various experiential learning activities, as well as a summer internship.

Eligible students meeting all program requirements may receive full or partial scholarships, including coverage of the costs of attending such as tuition, fees, books and room and board.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Accepted for admission to WVSU and enrolled no later than one year after the date of acceptance
Intend to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences, including a career in plant-soil sciences, agribusiness or agricultural economics
Plan to enroll in one of the four approved degree programs: BS in Biology - Plant and Soil Science, BS in Chemistry - Applied, BS in Business Administration - Agribusiness or BA in Economics - Agricultural Economics.
Possess a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or better at the time of application, and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA while receiving scholarship support
Be enrolled and maintain full-time student status at WVSU, in a program of study in the food and agricultural sciences or a related field leading to an undergraduate degree during each quarter/semester that the student receives 1890 Scholarship support
Completed FAFSA application yearly
Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident

New WVSU 1890 Scholars coming Fall 2024

Hannah Crum, Leon, WV

aBIGAIL oKES, cOOL RIDGE, WV

Not pictured:

Gemel Smith, Louisville, KY

Application package

Download and complete the 1890 Scholarship Program Student Application form.
Provide a 500–800 word essay describing the your interest and intent to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences or related fields, either as a part of the application form or as an attached document,
sign pages 7 and 8 of the application form (do not type a signature) and
Request two recommendations using the Recommendation Instructions & Form for the 1890 Scholarship Program form. These recommendations should be from a high school teacher or counselor, academic advisor, professor, FFA/4-H leader, employer, etc. that speak to the applicant's interest and abilities in pursuing a major and career in food, agricultural sciences or related fields. These recommendations can be returned to the student to submit along with the rest of their application or can be sent separately to the contact information below.

When and where to send your application package

Send the completed application package and or recommendations to 1890scholarship@wvstateu.edu or mail hard copies to:

West Virginia State University
Attn: 1890 Scholarship Committee
103 Dr. Hazo W. Carter Jr. IREB
PO Box 1000
Institute, WV 25112-1000

Application packages for WVSU 1890 Scholarship Program will be given consideration for the Fall 2024 semester if received by 5 pm EST on April 26, 2024.

Questions?

To Learn More

NOTE: This program differs from the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. Visit the program's website or contact WVSU's USDA Liaison Dr. Jerrick Hornbeak at Jerrick.Hornbeak@usda.gov or 225-577-3447 to learn more about that program.