Truman Scholarship

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation — the federal memorial to our thirty-third president — awards 55-65 merit-based scholarships annually to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service. 

The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of the selection. The Foundation also provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development. Scholars are invited to participate in a number of programs: Truman Scholar Leadership Week, The Summer Institute, The Truman Fellows Program, and the Public Service Law Conference. All candidates should be aware that the Truman Scholarship has a service requirement - selected Scholars are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation funded graduate degree program as a condition of receiving Truman funds.

Deadlines

Internal: Mid-January
External: Early February
Here's the link to view this year's specific deadline dates.

Eligibility

• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national from a Pacific island, or expects to receive citizenship by the date the Scholarship will be awarded;
• Be a college junior pursuing a bachelor's degree during the current academic year and planning to receive a baccalaureate degree by August of their senior year;
• Have an extensive record of campus and community service;
• Be committed to a career in government or the nonprofit and advocacy sectors;
• Have outstanding communication skills and a high probability of becoming a “change agent”;
• Have a strong academic record with likely acceptance to the graduate school of the candidate’s choice.

Application

The application is available online at www.truman.gov. The application consists of:

• The application form;
• A policy proposal;
• A transcript;
• Three letters of recommendation; and
• A nomination letter from your institution.

Learn more about The Harry S. Truman Scholarship at the above webpage, by visiting the Office of National Fellowships & Scholarships, or by contacting the faculty liaison.