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USDA Offers Tribal and Asian Pacific Islander Scholarships --
Applications Accepted April 4 through May 13, 2005
Shuar or Achuar amamuk (bowl). Painted buff
glazed ware, 8 x 20.5 cm diameter |
NRCS Chief Bruce Knight has announced that the 2005 Asian Pacific Islander
(API) Scholars Program and the new Tribal Scholars Program application period is
April 4 through May 13, 2005. “These scholarship opportunities strengthen the
conservation partnership with state colleges and land-grant institutions and
help attract outstanding students from underrepresented groups to pursue careers
in agriculture and natural resource sciences,” said Knight. “Workforce planning
and scholarship programs help create a more effective government by providing
the tools and experience these students need to perform at high levels and
become quality employees.”
This is the first year of the Tribal Scholars Program, which was created to help
the agency accomplish its workforce diversity goals and improve interaction with
tribal partners and customers. Five scholarships will be awarded to U.S.
citizens who are seeking a degree in agriculture or related natural resource
sciences at a 1994 tribal land-grant institution. There are 34 tribal colleges
and universities nationwide.
The API Scholars Program awarded five scholarships last year and will offer five
in 2005. The program is open to U.S. citizens at universities with high
percentages of Asian and Pacific Islander students in California, Hawaii,
Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Pacific Basin.
Both scholarship programs provide full tuition, employment, employee benefits,
fees, books, use of a personal computer and software while on scholarship and
room and board each year for up to four years. In addition to general
eligibility criteria, each scholarship may have unique features due to
differences in the target institutions or communities.
NRCS also participates in two USDA-sponsored scholarship programs: the USDA/1890
National Scholars Program for students planning to attend an 1890 Historically
Black Land Grant Institution and major in agriculture or natural resource
related studies; and the Public Service Leaders Scholarship, which is a
collaborative effort between USDA, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and
Universities and the Hispanic College Fund, Inc.
Detailed information on the Tribal and API scholars programs from
Larry Holmes, NRCS Outreach Division
Director, at 301-504-2229
Information on the USDA/1890
National Scholars Program
Information on the Public
Service Leaders Scholarship
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