Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation — Are You a Potential Truman Scholar?

If you can put a check beside each of the following statements, you should be a strong candidate for a Truman Scholarship. If more than two do not apply, the Truman Scholarship is probably not right for you.

https://www.truman.gov/are-you-potential-truman-scholar/

Legal Requirements (must be met)

• At the time I apply, I will be a full-time student pursuing a bachelor's degree with junior-level academic standing; or, I have senior-level standing in my third year of college enrollment. Note: Students who are already attending graduate school are not eligible for the Truman Scholarship.
• I am a U.S. citizen (or a U.S. national) or I expect to receive my citizenship by the date the Scholarship will be awarded.

Career and Graduate Study Interests

• I hope to be a "change agent," in time, improving the ways that government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions serve the public.
• There are conditions in our society or the environment which trouble me.
• I want to work in government, education, the nonprofit sector, or the public interest/advocacy sector to improve these conditions.
• I am comfortable committing to work in public service for three of the first seven years after I complete a Foundation-funded graduate degree.
• I would like to get a master's degree, a doctorate, or a professional degree such as a law degree or a Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, Master of Public Policy, or Master of International Affairs.

Community Service and Academic Record

• I have participated extensively in two or more of the following sets of activities:
  • Student government and/or campus-based extracurricular activities;
  • Community service-related activities that were not organized by my school or by my fraternity/sorority;
  • Government internships, commissions or boards, advocacy or interest groups, nonpartisan political activities, or military/ROTC ;
  • Partisan political activities and campaigns.
• I have been involved with organizations or activities related to my career interests.
• I have demonstrated some of my leadership potential.
• I have sufficiently strong grades and coursework to gain admittance to a first-rate graduate institution.
• I read regularly a good national newspaper and a thoughtful periodical.
• I have had one or more courses relating to my career interests.

General

• I would appreciate external affirmation of my values and goals.
• I would like to become associated with Truman Scholar "change agents."
• I am capable of analyzing a public issue in my intended career area and presenting my findings in a one-page memo to a government official who could take action.
• I am willing to prepare an outstanding application and policy proposal under the supervision of my Truman Faculty Representative.
• I believe I could hold my own in a challenging interview conducted by a panel of prominent public servants, educators, and former Truman Scholars.
• I could use $30,000 to continue my education.