USDA offers internships, fellowships, and scholarships to students to help them to excel in their chosen fields. Internship programs are geared toward combining academic studies with on-the-job training and experience. Scholarship programs are in place to support exemplar students with financial assistance.
College students wishing to further enhance their agricultural knowledge to gain a competitive edge in their career development can gain positions within USDA's college internship programs.
The National Scholars Program is a joint effort between USDA and 18 historically black land-grant institutions to award scholarships for students to attend these universities.
USDA offers tuition assistance, mentoring, and summer work to college students interested in pursuing a career related plant pathology, biology, virology, ecology, and entomology.