WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's ChoiceUSDA Offers $120,000 Scholarship And Employment After Graduation

USDA Offers $120,000 Scholarship And Employment After Graduation

WMDT 47 NEWS - Finding a job after college can be challenging, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to help.

Not only are they offering a full ride scholarship to one of their 18 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities to pursue a career in agriculture, but they are also guaranteeing employment.

"I came through as a scholar and 14 years later I'm still with the department," said 1890 Program Liaison for the USDA.

Purnell is encouraging students to follow in her footsteps and take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime.

It's a scholarship worth well over $120,000 that covers tuition, fees, room and board, a laptop and printer, not to mention guaranteed employment.

"Each year the student will work at the USDA location and we will pay for transportation to and from the duty station. Then upon graduation they will be converted to permanent employment with the USDA agency," said Purnell.

It's available to high school and college students, with the exception of college seniors.

Here are the enrollment requirements: "They must be a U.S. Citizen, possess a 3.0 GPA or higher and would like to study agriculture, food, or related sciences. They must also score a 1500 or higher on the SAT's or 2100 or higher on the ACT's.

This scholarship is competitive, but at least two students will be chosen locally. The deadline to apply is February 1st.

For more information about the scholarship, contact the Delmarva Education Foundation at 410-219-3336. You can also contact Lisa Purnell at 410-651-6313 or via email at lisa.purnell@osec.usda.gov.