Purpose
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created as a federal memorial to our thirty-third President. It awards merit-based 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.

Details
Between 75 and 80 Truman Scholarships are annually awarded 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 public service; and have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills. In 2004, one "state" scholarship will be available to a qualified resident nominee in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico. One additional scholarship will be awarded to a resident hailing from one of the Islands (considered here as a single entity):  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. Additionally, the Foundation will select up to 30 "at-large" Scholars.

Truman Scholars are eligible to receive $2,000 for the senior year of undergraduate education and $24,000 for graduate studies. All Scholars are eligible to receive up to $12,000 for the first year of graduate study. Scholars are eligible to receive up to $12,000 for their final year of graduate study if they provide assurance that they will enter public service immediately upon graduation or immediately upon completion of any judicial clerkship(s) after graduation. 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.

Scholars may attend graduate or professional schools in the United States or in foreign countries. 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 sciences, public administration, nonprofit management, public health and public policy.

For more information on the Harry S. Truman Scholarships, visit the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation website at:

http://www.truman.gov/.