TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE: Iren Omo-Bare BLDG/RM: AC324 Office Hours: MWF 11:00 - 1:30 Phone: (601) 974-1439
Purpose:
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation--the official federal memorial to honor our
thirty-third President--awards merit-based $30,000 scholarships to college and university students who plan
to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service, and wish to attend graduate 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.
The competition has been designed to benefit all participants--not solely those selected as Truman
Scholars. It encourages candidates to reflect on the needs of society they want to address professionally,
to refine career goals and objectives, and to begin their planning for graduate study.
General Guidelines
In 1998, up to 80 Truman Scholarships will be awarded 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 sector, wish to influence public policies, and
have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills. In addition, up to three residents of
Puerto Rico and the Islands with senior-level academic standing will be selected.
Scholars are eligible to receive $3,000 for the senior year of undergraduate education and $27,000 for
graduate studies. Scholars in graduate programs planning to receive degrees in one to two years are
eligible to receive $13,500 per year. 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. Scholars may
attend graduate or professional schools in the United States or in foreign countries.
In 1998, 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 address for tax filing purposes and voter registration.) The
Foundation will select up to 32 At-Large Scholars in 1998.
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, and
public-service oriented nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help
needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment.
Many fields of study can lead to public service careers, 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, public health, and public policy.
Former Truman Scholars serve the public as managers of government programs; legislators and aides
for legislative bodies; budget and management analysts; foreign service officers; staff members in
policy analysis and research organizations; attorneys for government agencies; public defenders;
educators; and professional staff in advocacy organizations and not-for-profit institutions.
Conditions of Eligibility
Each nominee must be a full-time junior-level student at a four-year institution pursuing a bachelor's
degree during the 1997-98 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 1998
and August 1999, or a student in the third year of collegiate study who expects to graduate during the
1997-98 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
a United States citizen or a United States national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands.
Nomination Procedures
1. The Institution of Higher EducationTwo-year and four-year institutions listed in the current U.S.
Department of Education Directory of Postsecondary Institutions may nominate up to four students for
the 1998 awards. Nominees need not reside in the same state or district as the nominating institution.
Institutions may nominate candidates who are participating in junior year abroad programs. Four-year
institutions may nominate, additionally, three students who completed their first two years at a community
college. Materials must be submitted by the institution's president or the Truman Faculty Representative.
Applications are not accepted directly from the student. Participation by two-year institutionsTwo-year
institutions may nominate students who, by January 27, 1998, will have transferred to accredited
four-year institutions and who will be enrolled as full-time students with junior-level academic standing.
2. The Truman Faculty Representative The president of each participating institution appoints a Truman
Faculty Representative who establishes a process to select the institution's nominees, helps nominees
prepare for the competition, and submits the nomination materials to the Truman Foundation by the
specified deadline.
3. Nomination Materials The following items are required for each nominee:
a completed, signed Institution Nomination Form,
a completed, signed Nominee Information Form,
an analysis of a public policy issue,
a current official college transcript,
and four letters of recommendation.
The nomination information must be submitted on original forms provided by the Foundation to Faculty
Representatives, on photocopies of these forms, or on copies from the Foundation's Web site.
Nomination DeadlineThe complete nomination package must be received by the Truman Scholarship
Foundation at the address specified in the materials by January 27, 1998.
Selection Procedures1
1. Selection of Truman Scholarship FinalistsA committee examines all nominations and selects about
200 Finalists to be interviewed for Truman Scholarships. Finalists are selected on the basis of extent
and quality of public and community service and government involvement, academic performance
and writing and analytical skills, leadership abilities, and suitability of the nominee's proposed program
of study for a career in public service. Priority is given to candidates proposing to enroll in graduate
programs specifically oriented to careers in public service. These include master's and Ph.D. programs
in public administration; public policy analysis; public health; international relations; government;
economics; social services delivery; education and human resource development; and conservation and
environmental protection. Nominees may propose joint degree programs. Scholars may make program
changes before beginning graduate studies if the changes are consistent with preparation for a career
in public service and with the educational programs given priority by the Foundation.
2. Selection of Truman ScholarsRegional selection panels interview Finalists and select Scholars on
the basis of leadership potential and communications skills, intellectual strength, analytical ability, and
likelihood of "making a difference" in public service. If a Panel judges that none of the Finalists from
a state adequately meets each of these criteria, it does not select any candidates from that state.
The Foundation covers 50% of the airfare to a maximum Foundation share of $500 for Finalists who are
legal residents of the 48 continental states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
The Foundation will cover 75% of the airfare to a maximum Foundation share of $750 for Finalists from
Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam who are enrolled in institutions in their home state or district.
Truman Scholar Activities
1. Truman Scholars Leadership WeekThe 1998 Truman Scholars are required to attend this event. It
will be held May 24-30, 1998, at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Travel from the Scholar's
home (or institution if the school term is still in progress), lodging, and meals will be provided by the
Foundation.
2. Awards CeremonyThe 1998 Truman Scholars are required to attend the Awards Ceremony on May 31,
1998, in Independence, Missouri.
3. Truman Scholars Washington Summer InstituteIn 1999, the Foundation anticipates providing a 10-week
Washington Summer Institute consisting of graduate-level seminars and workshops and paying internships
in federal agencies for up to 40 members of the 1998 Class of Truman Scholars. Travel and subsidized
housing will be provided. Scholarship ConditionsThe award may be used only for tuition, fees, books,
room and board, or other specifically approved expenses. Payments from the Foundation may be received
to supplement, but not to duplicate, benefits from the educational institution or from other foundations,
institutions, or organizations. The combined benefits from all sources may not exceed the costs of tuition,
fees, books, and room and board as prescribed by the institution. To receive payments, a Truman Scholar
must submit a certified statement of eligible expenses prior to the beginning of each academic term for
which Foundation support is sought, and other information as required by regulation or law. The Foundation
may withhold or terminate a scholarship due to unsatisfactory academic performance or failure as judged
by the Foundation to pursue preparation specifically for a career in public service. Scholars may defer for
up to four years Foundation support for their graduate studies after completion of their undergraduate
studies. Scholars in graduate study programs supported by other means may request additional years of
deferral. Additional InformationSpecial announcements and a listing of Faculty Representatives are
available on the Foundation's home page.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
712 Jackson Place, NW
Washington DC 20006
http://www.truman.gov