PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
WITH USDA TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS

PRAIRIE VIEW, TX - Prairie View A&M University is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage bright young people to study agriculture, food, natural resource science or a related discipline through the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2003 academic year. "Thirty four fully paid, 4-year scholarships are available for undergraduate students at the 17 historically black 1890 land-grant universities, with the goal of placing successful graduates into career positions at USDA," said Horace Hodge, USDA Liaison Officer, Prairie View A&M University. "By applying for this scholarship, a student is competing for an opportunity that may propel them into a 21st century leadership position."

USDA provides students in the program with full tuition, fees, and books, use of a personal computer, software, employment, and employee benefits for each of the four years they are pursuing a bachelor's degree. The institutions provide the scholarship recipients with room and board for each year. Currently there are eight USDA/1890 scholars attending Prairie View A&M University.

"Students must be U.S. citizens, demonstrate leadership and sign a service agreement to work one year for USDA (with pay) for each year financial assistance is received," Hodge said. "I encourage all interested persons to share this information with potential college bound students in their school, church and community, particularly those that might have an interest in attending Prairie View A&M University."

Applications for the 2003 academic year must be submitted to the institution and received by January 15, 2003. For more information about the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, contact Horace Hodge at (936) 857-2996 - phone; (936) 857-2998 - fax; or write him at P.O. Box 2736, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446. Applications can also be downloaded at http://1890scholars.program.usda.gov.

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Gloria J. Mosby
Program Director - Communications
P.O. Box 3059
Cooperative Extension Program
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, Texas 77446
Phone: 936/857-4759 FAX: 936/857 - 2637
E-mail : g-mosby@tamu.edu