Harry S. Truman Scholarship

The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for students interested in public service. The scholarship provides $30,000 for the graduate school of the Scholar's choice, extensive programming and mentorship opportunities, a direct hiring authority with the federal government and the ability to apply for additional matching funds with our graduate school partners.

Eligibility

Candidates must be:

• US Citizens, US National residents of American Samoa, or expecting their citizenship by the date of the award;
• Currently enrolled at a US-based accredited institution;
• In their penultimate year of school (for candidates graduating in four years or more) or in their final year of school (for candidates graduating in three years or fewer);
• Nominated by either their current institution of study or their former institution of study for transfer or community college applicants. Schools are limited to four nominees plus three additional transfer nominations; and,
• Planning to attend graduate school in pursuit of a career in public service. The Foundation encourages time between undergraduate and graduate school, so candidates need not commit to going immediately.

Candidates can be:

• pursuing any major likely to lead to a public service career;
• any age;
• interested in any graduate degree other than the MBA; and,
• considering either domestic or international programs for their graduate education.

Scholars are required to:

• Attend Truman Scholars Leadership Week as a condition of receiving the award. If you cannot attend, you should not apply for the award;
• File annual reports with the Foundation until funding is complete;
• File a graduate school proposal in advance of receiving Truman funding (this proposal does not need to be for the same program described in their application);
• File an employment report for three of seven years after graduation from a Foundation-funded graduate program. If Scholars are unable to work in public service for this period, they may be subject to paying back their funding.

How do I get started?

In order to formally apply, students must be nominated by their institution in a process conducted by the Truman Advisor. The process may vary from institution to institution. Please contact the Advisor at your institution as soon as possible as several schools have early deadlines. A listing of Advisors is available under Find an Advisor.