SAFHS 1890 Scholarship Program

The 1890 Scholarships Program at UAPB is designed to support the recruitment, engagement, retention, mentoring, training, and graduation of undergraduate students at the 1890 land-grant institutions, resulting in baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences-related fields. The scholarships are intended to encourage outstanding students at 1890 institutions to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields that would lead to a highly skilled food and agricultural systems workforce. Scholarships awarded are for first-time entering freshman students to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff who have not completed a bachelor’s degree program. Additional scholarship funding is for students transferring from a junior college with an associate degree. Incoming freshmen and transfer students may be offered a scholarship based on their cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale).
The application deadline will be May 15, 2025.

Selection Criteria

The UAPB 1890 Scholarships Program participants must meet the following selection criteria: (1) Must be a citizen or national of the United States; (2) Have been accepted for admission to UAPB; (3) Will begin school at UAPB no later than the first fall semester following their high school graduation; (4) Agree to pursue a B.S. degree in an accepted major within SAFHS; (5) Intend to pursue a career in the food, and agricultural sciences or other related disciplines; (6) Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale and an ACT score of 19 or above or SAT score equivalent to 1020 at the time of application (either from high school, if entering as a freshman, or community college); or students with a  minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale with no ACT score must take the Accuplacer exam or cover remedial hours in the summer before fall 2023. The scholarship recipient must maintain the required GPA on a semester and cumulative basis for the approved scholarship award to continue (8) Be enrolled in at least 15 core credits in a SAFHS degree program leading to an undergraduate degree during each semester that he/she receives 1890 Scholarship support.

Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $6,000-20,000 annually. Scholars must reapply every academic year.

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USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program awards scholarships to students attending one of 19 historically black land-grant universities. High school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply.

USDA/1890 National Scholars receive full tuition towards a bachelor’s degree, books and the cost of room and board. During the summer months while in college, the students will receive an internship with a USDA agency, including employee benefits. After graduation, all USDA/1890 National Scholars are employed by their selected agency and must commit to at least one year of service to USDA for each year of financial assistance provided.

National scholars must major in agriculture or related sciences which include agronomy, animal sciences, plant sciences, food sciences and technology, forestry, home economics and nutrition, horticulture, natural resources management, soil conservation, farm and range management, pre-veterinary medicine and computer science.

The application deadline is March 1, 2025.

Learn more and apply online at USDA 1890 National Scholars Program.

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USDA NextGen SAPLINGs Scholarship

The “System Approach to Promote Learning and Innovation for the Next Generations” (SAPLINGs) scholarship is funded by the USDA NextGen grant and supports recruitment, retention and graduation persistence for students with limited financial resources. With particular emphasis on attracting students to low-enrollment programs, including poultry science, food science, hospitality and tourism management, and other science-based programs in the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences at UAPB, the SAPLINGs scholarship supports recruitment and retention efforts while expanding career awareness across the diverse food, agriculture and human sciences sectors.

This scholarship program primarily focuses on first-time in college (FTIC) undergraduate students majoring in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences (FANH) and related fields with a 2.5 – 3.0 GPA and a demonstrated financial need. The maximum award amount is $10,000 per year ($5,000/semester) and can only be used towards tuition, fees, room and board.

Although students pursuing any major in the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences is eligible for the scholarship, particular emphasis is on students in low-enrolled undergraduate programs, including aquaculture and fisheries, poultry, plant and soil science, FCS and Ag teacher education, food science, and hospitality/tourism management.

Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, provided students maintain their GPA, register for 15 credit hours per semester, earn a grade of C or better in all registered classes, and participate in the SAFHS peer-to-peer mentoring program. To apply, students will submit an application and a 500-word essay explaining their financial need and reason for choosing their major. A team of faculty members will review and evaluate scholarship applications. The scholarship program will enable students to cultivate their growth as future leaders in the global food, agricultural, fiber and natural resource systems.

Click here to access the application for the SAPLINGs Scholarship.

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