The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Public Service Leaders Scholarship Program provides combined scholarship and internship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students leading to permanent employment upon completion of their degree. The program is designed to promote public service and create access to higher education.
1. Benefits
• Full-tuition scholarships
• Paid internship (minimum 640 hours) leading to permanent employment
• Employee benefits such as:
• Mentoring
• Career development
• Leadership training
• Use of a personal computer
The USDA offers the opportunity to:
• Make a difference in the nation and the world
• Obtain a challenging and interesting job assignment
• Gain experience in your career field
• Develop your leadership skills
2. Commitment
Recipients of a Public Service Leaders Scholarship enter into an agreement with the USDA to receive full-tuition scholarships for the indicated number of years. In addition, recipients intern at the USDA for a minimum of 640 hours prior to graduation. The internships are paid in addition to the scholarship funds. Students may be required to work during the upcoming summer. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients become permanent employees of the USDA and must be prepared to work for USDA for one year for each year of educational assistance received. Must be willing to relocate upon graduation.
4. Eligibility
Employees of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) participants are not eligible to apply for or receive this scholarship. To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Be a U.S. citizen, or be in the final stages of the application process for U.S. citizenship, and will have attained citizenship within a year of being accepted to the program;
• Be in good academic standing with at minimum 2.75 GPA based on a 4.0 scale at an accredited college or university in the United States;
• Willingness to relocate upon graduation (Mobility Agreement will be signed upon selection);
• Have a strong interest in a career in public service with the USDA;
• Exhibit leadership and community involvement;
• Intellectually curious
• Attend a mandatory orientation in Washington, D.C.
• And meet major and class level requirements of the scholarship.
Click on the following link to learn more:
http://www.hsi.usda.gov/Students/PSLS.htm
