USDA NextGen BS, Sustainable Food Systems Scholarship
The United States Department of Agriculture NextGen program was established to create a pipeline of diverse professionals, trained and ready for future careers in the food and agriculture sector, including the USDA.
This scholarship provides financial support for students in the BS in Sustainable Food Systems program, including students who identify as first-generation or underrepresented college students. Scholarship aid is only available to US citizens.
The application process is competitive. Awards are based on academic merit, leadership and community service experience, academic and professional development goals, attributes students identify with and financial need.
Scholarship details
Amount: Up to $7,500/semester – for tuition support only
Deadline: March 1, 2025
Award term: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
Academic level: first-year, sophomore, junior, senior
Eligibility: This application is only available to incoming and current undergraduate students in the BS in Sustainable Food Systems (Tempe, Poly, and Online) who plan on being enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year. If awarded a scholarship, students must register for a minimum of 6 credit hours at ASU each fall and spring semester for award disbursement. Students must have financial need to cover the cost of tuition and program fees for the BS Sustainable Food Systems program. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not required but is considered to help determine financial need.
Essays: Students should answer essay prompts based on their experiences. Responses to essay prompts will be used to match students with available scholarships. It’s important that students spend time preparing meaningful responses to these questions and pay attention to spelling, grammar and paragraph structure. To be considered for the USDA NextGen Scholarship, students need to complete the supplemental essay, which is required to be considered for this scholarship.
Reference: Applicants will be asked to include the name and contact information of a faculty member or instructor who has agreed to serve as a reference. This is optional.
Scholarship applications
Incoming and current students
Incoming means you have already applied to a program in the College of Global Futures and plan to start taking classes in the 2024-2025 academic year if you are admitted.
Scholarship opportunities
The College of Global Futures has a variety of scholarships, grants and funding opportunities available for students at all stages of their academic journey. Check out the full list here.