The mission of the Truman Scholarship Foundation is:
- To find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service
- To provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service.
Students who are selected by the foundation will receive a scholarship for to $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.
Recipients must be in their junior year, US citizens,
have outstanding leadership potential and
communication skills, be in the top quarter of
their class, and be committed to careers in
government or the not-for-profit sector.
Students will be evaluated on a writing sample explaining a current policy issue and how their work in public service will address this. They also will be evaluated based on leadership roles at their institution, to what degree they have been a “change agent,” their participation in organizations, activities and courses related to their career interests and their grades.