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Press Release
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
November, 2002
PURPOSE
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation--the federal memorial to
our thirty-third President awards merit-based $30,000 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.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
In 2003, the Foundation expects to award 75 to 80 Truman Scholarships
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 public
service, and
have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills.
The Foundation anticipates selecting up to three Scholars who are
residents of Puerto Rico and the Islands (identified below) with
senior-level academic standing.
Scholars are eligible to receive $3,000 for the senior year of
undergraduate education and $27,000 for graduate studies. All
Scholars are eligible to receive up to $13,500 for the first year of
graduate study. Scholars are eligible to receive up to $13,500 for
their final year of graduate study if they provide assurance that
they will enter public service [defined below] immediately upon
graduation or immediately upon completion of any judicial clerkship(s) after graduation. Scholars may attend graduate or professional
schools in the United States or in foreign countries.
In 2003, 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 home address
for school registration, family's primary residence, and voter
registration.) The Foundation will select up to 30 at-large Scholars
in 2003.
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, 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.
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 science, public
administration, nonprofit management, public health, and public
policy.
Former Truman Scholars serve as managers of government programs,
legislators and aides for legislative bodies, foreign service
officers, school teachers, staff members in policy analysis and
research organizations, attorneys for government agencies, public
defenders, professors, 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 2002-2003 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
2003 and August 2004, or a student in his or her second or third year
of collegiate study who expects to graduate during the 2002-2003
academic year, or a senior-level student who is a resident of Puerto
Rico or the Islands and expects to graduate in the 2002-2003 academic
year,
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. Resident
aliens (green card holders) are not eligible.
NOMINATION PROCEDURES
The Institution of Higher Education
Accredited two-year and four-year institutions in the United States
may nominate up to four students for the 2003 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
Truman Faculty Representative or the institution's president.
Applications are not accepted directly from candidates.
Participation by Two-Year Institutions
Two-year institutions may nominate former students who, by January
27, 2003, will be enrolled as full-time students with junior-level
academic standing at accredited four-year institutions.
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 Foundation by the
specified deadline.
Nomination Materials
The following items are required for each nominee:
a completed Institution Nomination Form from the Faculty
Representative,
a letter of nomination from the Faculty Representative,
a completed Truman Scholarship Application,
a Policy Proposal,
a current official college transcript and transcripts for all
colleges attended that do not appear on the current transcript (both
courses and grades should appear), and
three 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 website.
NOMINATION DEADLINE
The complete nomination package must be received by January 27, 2003,
at the Truman Scholarship Foundation, 712 Jackson Place, NW,
Washington, DC 20006.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
Selection of Truman Scholarship Finalists
A 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 community service and
government involvement,
leadership record,
academic performance and writing and analytical skills, 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 and
professional programs specifically oriented to careers in public
service. These include law programs and master's and doctorate
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.
Scholars may make program changes before beginning graduate studies
if the changes are consistent with preparation for a career in public
service.
Selection of Truman Scholars
Regional selection panels interview Finalists in late February and
March and select Truman Scholars largely on the basis of
leadership potential and communication skills,
intellectual strength and 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 candidate from
that state. The scholarship will be carried over to 2004, when two
scholarships will be available to qualified residents.
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, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the District of
Columbia. The Foundation covers 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. The
Foundation does not provide for meals, lodging, or local ground
transportation.
TRUMAN SCHOLAR ACTIVITIES
Truman Scholars Leadership Week
2003 Truman Scholars are required to attend this event. It will be
held May 18Ð25, 2003, 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.
Awards Ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Library
2003 Truman Scholars are required to attend the Awards Ceremony on May 25, 2003,
in Independence, Missouri.
Truman Scholars Washington Summer Institute
In 2004, the Foundation
anticipates providing a 10-week Washington Summer Institute consisting of
graduate-level seminars and workshops and internships in federal agencies for
members of the 2003 class of Truman Scholars. Travel and subsidized housing will
be provided.
SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS
The 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, an annual report, 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 INFORMATION
Special announcements, the candidate application materials, and a listing of
Faculty Representatives are available on this website.
http://www.truman.gov/index.cfm?TheViewID=219&flag=219&showsubs=0,219
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