Truman Scholarship

Governed by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, the Truman Scholarship is granted to up to 65 college juniors each year. The prestigious $30,000 scholarship was established in 1975 by the U.S. Congress, to be given to students who plan on going into public service as a career. Applicants must show leadership ability, and concern with society, government, and the environment. The particular field in which the scholars will be studying is not as important as how they will use their degree in a public service aspect. Candidates are required to have the objective of working in government, education, research, or in some facet of charity or environmental preservation.

Before a student can submit an application for the Truman Scholarship, he or she must be nominated by the faculty representative where they are taking their undergraduate courses. Only four students can be nominated by each school. Requirements include having a GPA of at least 3.5, being enrolled as a full time junior, and being a U.S. Citizen. Current and previous activities associated with student government, and self motivated volunteer work, are also imperative in selecting nominees. If nominated, a comprehensive application, along with the letter and form for nomination, three recommendation letters, and a transcript will be turned in. Finally, interviews will be held and around 60 to 65 scholars will be chosen. The actual monetary award is not the only advantage of the Truman Scholarship. Scholars are given many intern opportunities, including the Summer Institute Internship, which lasts ten weeks in Washington D.C.

Students who think they qualify and want to apply for the Truman Scholarship should find their faculty representative and find out deadlines for individual schools, in order to get the pre-application process completed before the school's deadline.