1862 Morrill Act

Commonly known as the First Morrill Act, the act of July 2, 1862, "provided grants of federal lands to the several states and Territories which may establish Colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts," extending higher education from the privileged few to the many.

The land-grant mission — to serve the common good through accessible education, problem-solving research and outreach to the community and this led to the establishment of a group of higher institutions, at least one in each State.

The new land-grant institutions, opened opportunities to thousands of farmers and working people previously excluded from higher education.

The Morrill Act, named after its sponsor Vermont congressman Justin Morrill and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 2, 1862, committed the Federal Government to grant each state 30,000 acres of public land issued in the form of “land scrip” certificates for each senator and representative in its congressional delegation.
1862 Morrill Act