Truman Scholarship
Apply through Reed Fellowships and Awards Committee
Internal Deadline: November 13th, 2024 at 12:00 PM pacific
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Description
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service. Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. Every year they select approximately 60 students from approximate 800 nominees.
The Foundation provides the following benefits to scholarship recipients:
- Up to $30,000 toward a public service-related graduate degree. The Foundation has supported Truman Scholars in many fields of study, from agriculture, biology, engineering, technology, medicine, and environmental management, to fields such as economics, education, government, history, international relations, law, political science, public administration, nonprofit management, public health, and public policy.
- Truman Scholars Leadership Week. This event, held at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, introduces new Scholars to the services provided by the Foundation and the many pathways to public service. Scholars participate in seminars and workshops with distinguished Truman Scholars and other public service leaders, a group exercise about policy implementation, a graduate school and career fair with representatives from the schools and programs most attended by Truman Scholars, and community service events in the Kansas City area; this event is required of all Scholars.
- Summer Institute. Immediately after college graduation, Scholars have the opportunity to participate in an eight-week Summer Institute in Washington, DC. The Foundation helps to arrange internships with government agencies and nonprofit organizations, seminars and workshops, meetings with Washington policymakers and senior Truman Scholars, and opportunities for community building among Scholars.
- Truman-Albright and Other Fellows Program. After Summer Institute, Scholars may elect to stay in Washington, DC, for a full year in the Truman-Albright Fellows Program; Truman-Albright Fellows are placed in public service jobs while participating in workshops, seminars, and mentoring opportunities. Additional fellowship opportunities, outlined on the Truman website, are available for Scholars as they move through the early stages of their careers in public service.
Eligibility
Applicants for the Truman Scholarship must be:
- US Citizens, US National residents of American Samoa, or expecting their citizenship by the date of the award;
- currently enrolled at Reed and in their junior year at the time of application;
- nominated by ÃÛÌÒÉç;
- 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.
Applicants can be:
- pursuing any major likely to lead to a public service career;
- any age;
- interested in any graduate degree other than the MBA;
- considering either domestic or international programs for their graduate education.
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.
Grades
This scholarship does not have a minimum GPA requirement, as grades are less important than the leadership or public service record. The Foundation is much more interested in a student's transcript than their GPA. A challenging selection of coursework, even with a lower GPA, will be rated higher than a perfect GPA in less challenging courses. Additionally, the Foundation views a student's academic performance in light of the graduate school plan they propose. While most Truman applicants have outstanding academic credentials, an application with outstanding academics, but little public service or leadership, will not be successful.
Selection Criteria
The Foundation seeks future "change agents" who aspire to leadership positions in federal, state, or local governments or in the not-for-profit and education sectors where they can influence public policies and change public programs. Competitive applications should have:
- an extensive record of campus and community service;
- a steadfast commitment to a career in government or elsewhere in public service;
- a well-articulated vision of how to create change in their area of interest;
- an academic record likely to lead to acceptance in the graduate program of the candidate's choice.
In general, the record of campus and community service and the commitment to a career in public service are the most important criteria. They generally do not advance candidates with strong grades who lack leadership or a commitment to public service.