HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP

www.truman.gov

"The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation -- the federal memorial to our thirty-third president -- awards merit-based $30,000 scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service, and wish to attend graduate or professional school to help prepare for their careers. Truman Scholars participate in leadership development programs and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. In 2007, the Foundation expects to award 75-80 Truman Scholarships on the basis of merit to junior-level students at four-year colleges and universities who:

  • have extensive records of public and community service
  • are committed to careers in government or elsewhere in the public service
  • have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills

"Scholars are eligible to receive $3,000 for the senior year of undergraduate education and $27,000 for graduate studies. Scholars in master's degree programs planning to receive degrees in one to two years are eligible to receive $13,500 per year. Scholars in law programs are eligible to receive $13,500 for the second year of law school and $13,500 at the start of the third year's second semester if they provide evidence that they will enter public service upon graduation or upon completion of any judicial clerkships after graduation. Scholars in graduate programs requiring three or more years of academic study are eligible to receive $9,000 per year for a maximum of three years. They may attend graduate or professional schools in the United States or in foreign countries."

"In 2007, one state scholarship will be available to a qualified resident nominee in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and, considered as a single entity, the Islands: Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (Residency is generally determined by home address for school registration, family's primary residence, and voter registration.) The Foundation will select up to 30 at-large Scholars in 2007."

A CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE:

"The Foundation defines public service as employment in government at any level, uniformed services, public-interest organizations, nongovernmental research and/or educational organizations, public and private schools, and public-service oriented nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment."

"The Foundation has supported Truman Scholars in many fields of study, including agriculture, biology, engineering, environmental management, physical and social sciences, and technology policy, as well as traditional fields such as economics, education, government, history, international relations, law, political science, public administration, nonprofit management, public health, and public policy."

"Former Truman Scholars serve as managers of government programs; legislators and aides for legislative bodies; foreign service officers; school teachers; staff members in policy analysis and research organizations; attorneys for government agencies; public defenders professors; and professional staff in advocacy organizations and not-for-profit institutions."

CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY:

  • full-time junior-level student at a four-year institution pursuing a bachelor's degree during the 2007-2008 academic year. "Junior" here means a student who plans to continue full-time undergraduate study and who expects to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2007 and August 2008, or a student in his or her third year of collegiate study who expects to graduate during the 2007-2008 academic year, or a senior-level student who is a resident of Puerto Rico or the Islands,
  • committed to a career in public service as defined above,
  • in the upper quarter of his or her class, and
  • United States citizen or United States national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Resident aliens (green card holders) are not eligible.

SELECTION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES:

  • Candidates must be nominated by their institution. Applications are not accepted directly from candidates.
  • SMU campus deadline for submission of application is October 15, 2007.
  • The campus nominating committee reviews the preliminary applications and selects candidates for campus interview, held in early November. A maximum of four students may be nominated by the University to the Truman Foundation; nominees must revise and file the final application by February 5, 2008.
  • Those selected as national finalists will be interviewed regionally in early March.
  • The list of selected Truman Scholars will be posted on March 27, 2008.

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