GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS 

                                            Release No. 0196.00
                                                               
                      Media Contact: Maria Bynum (202) 720-5192
                                          maria.bynum @usda.gov
                 Public Contact: Maria Patterson (202) 720-6506
                                         mpatterson@reeusda.gov

GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS

     WASHINGTON, June 15, 2000 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced the creation of the National Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars
program, one of several new steps the Administration is taking to close the
achievement gap between Hispanic students and their peers.

     "These scholarships will help Hispanic students overcome financial
challenges in completing their education and will benefit USDA by
strengthening diversity in our workforce," said Glickman.  

     The new USDA scholarship program was unveiled today at a White House
Strategy Session on Improving Hispanic Student Achievement.

     USDA will offer scholarships that encourage students from two- and 
four- year Hispanic serving institutions to pursue careers in the U.S. food
and agriculture sector with the goal of placing successful graduates in USDA
career positions.  The National Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars program
will provide scholarships for educational expenses and employment at USDA
while students are in school.  

     Following graduation, scholarship recipients will be required to work at
USDA for one year for each year of educational assistance they were provided. 
The scholarship will cover students earning degrees ranging from the Associate
of Arts through a doctorate.  The program will serve up to 30 students during
the 2001 school year, its first year of  funding.
     
     Students attending participating Hispanic serving institutions can apply
for the USDA
scholarships, which will be awarded in a competitive process.

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