USDA Internships and Scholarship

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Public Service Leaders Scholarship (PSLS) Program is currently accepting applications for the 2008 program. The PSLS provides a combined scholarship/internship opportunities to college students leading to permanent employment upon completion of their degree. The program is designed to promote public service and create access to higher education. 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. Recipients are required to work for the USDA for one year for every year of sponsorship upon graduation. Currently, the program has seven opportunities available. Attached is a full listing of the available positions for the 2008 program.

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 least a cumulative 2.75 grade point average based on a 4.0 scale;
* Have a strong interest in a career in public service with the USDA;
* Attend a mandatory orientation from July 6-12, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
* And meet major and class level requirements of each scholarship (see attachment).


APPLICATION DEADLINES:

March 25, 2008 for the five scholarships listed below



· ERS - PhD Scholar (Doctoral level students only)

· FS - Civil Engineer

· NASS - Statistician (Agricultural)

· APHIS - PPQ

· FSA - Farm Loan Officer


April 10, 2008 for the two scholarships listed below


· FS - Soil Scientist

· FAS - International Trade (Master’s level students only)


Interested students must apply online at www.hsi.usda.gov and mail a copy of their transcripts and a letter or recommendation. Please visit our web site for detailed application instructions at www.hsi.usda.gov (click on “Scholarships”). Any assistance you can provide in informing students at your campus about these opportunities is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to call me at 210-921-5130 with any questions.

Thank you,

Sandra A. Peñaherrera
HSI National Student Program Manager
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Hispanic Serving Institutions National Program

office: (210) 921-5130
fax: (210) 921-5030
sandra.penaherrera@ars.usda.gov
www.hsi.usda.gov