Harry S. Truman Scholarship

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About                  
Founded in the late 1970s, the Truman Foundation serves as a memorial to the 33rd President of the United States, who highly valued education and public service.  The mission of the Truman Foundation is to find and recognize college juniors with outstanding potential for leadership in public service and provide them with leadership training and funding for graduate study.

Award                
Up to $30,000 to cover graduate school expenses such tuition, fees, books, room & board.  Funds may supplement other scholarship monies the student receives but will not duplicate them. In addition to the funds for graduate school, Scholars receive leadership training and internship opportunities.

Time                     
Scholars participate in a leadership week and a summer program following the award (summer before senior year). Then students receive assistance with the graduate application process. The funding for graduate school is divided for the length of the program.  A scholar can receive up to $15,000 in the first year of graduate school, and up to $15,000 in their last year.
 
Number               
60-65 per year.  The Foundation tries to award at least one per state each year.

Who’s Eligible
U.S. citizens who are in their junior year of undergraduate study and who plan to pursue a career in public service and want to be agents of change.

Selection  Process
Very competitive.  In addition to academic excellence, successful applicants demonstrate a commitment to public service, an awareness of the global and national community, and a drive to change our world in some way.  The Truman Foundation receives over 600 applications for the 60-65 scholarships they award, and this does not even reflect the on-campus competition for university nomination.

Pre-Application Process           
OES Pre-application October 13, 2008.  Applicants will undergo a campus screening process prior to submitting the official application materials to the Truman Foundation. For pre-application form, click here. NOTE: you will need the latest version of Adobe Reader to use this form.

Application Process
Application due early February.  In addition to the university nomination and official application form, applicants must submit a policy proposal and three faculty recommendations. The application form includes 14 questions that require thoughtful responses of 100-250 words each.

Campus Contact
Office of External Scholarships, F101 Melrose Hall, (865)974-7825.  Call or email to schedule appointment early in the Fall semester.

Official Website           
http://www.truman.gov