The U.S. Department of Agriculture now is accepting 1890 National Scholars Program applications for the 2010 academic school year, according to a news release. Aspiring high school seniors and college sophomores and juniors have until Feb. 1 to apply.

The scholarship program is a partnership between USDA, the 1890 Land Grant Universities and Tuskegee University.

Since the inception of the National Scholars Program in 1992, USDA has funded scholarships for more than 500 students. USDA hires the graduates into career positions.

USDA/1890 scholarship recipients receive full tuition, fees, books, use of laptop computers and printers, software, employment and employee benefits for each of the four years they pursue a bachelor's degree.

For each year of the scholarship, students receive room and board provided by the partnering institutions. Students are required to work one year at USDA for each year of their scholarship.

For more information or to access the application, visit the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Web page at www.ascr.usda.gov/1890programs.html.

E-mail Tom Burfield