To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions, and for other purposes.
This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to expand and fund scholarships for students at 1890 land-grant institutions (historically Black colleges and universities that are part of the 1890 program). Key changes include: (1) expanding scholarship eligibility to cover programs leading to bachelor’s and graduate degrees, not just specific scholarship awards for individuals; (2) establishing mandatory funding of $15 million per year (starting in fiscal year 2025) from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to support these scholarships, with funds “to remain available until expended”; (3) extending discretionary funding eligibility beyond prior end dates, so funding would continue in future years; and (4) aligning all related statutory language so scholarship funding is available for as long as funding exists under the bill. In short, the bill would provide a stable, ongoing source of federal funding to widen access to higher education for students at 1890 institutions, particularly in bachelor’s and graduate programs.
Key Points
- 1Expands scholarship scope to include bachelor’s and graduate degree programs at 1890 institutions (not just unspecified scholarships to individuals).
- 2Establishes mandatory funding of $15,000,000 per fiscal year (starting FY2025) from the Commodity Credit Corporation for these scholarships, available until expended.
- 3Makes discretionary funding available in all future years (removing the prior end-date of 2023 for such funding).
- 4Reworks the wording around funding availability to ensure scholarships can be provided for each academic year for which funding is available, rather than a fixed multi-year window.
- 5Administered through the Secretary (likely of Agriculture) using CCC funds, consistent with the framework of the 1890 program under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act.