Truman Scholarship

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About

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, established by Congress in 1975, awards merit-based scholarships to college students planning to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in public service. Each year, in a national competition, 75 - 100 scholarships are awarded, with at least one being awarded in each of the 50 states. Since its creation in 1975, the Foundation has supported almost 3,000 Truman Scholars who are making a difference in all corners of the nation and around the globe. 

Eligibility

Each nominee for the Truman Scholarship must be:

• a full-time junior-level student at a four-year institution pursuing a bachelor's degree
• nominated by the Truman Scholarship faculty representative at his or her institution
• in the upper quarter of his or her class
• a United States citizen or a United States national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

A good candidate for the Truman Scholarship meets the above eligibility requirements and also:

• has an extensive record of public and community service;
• has outstanding leadership potential and communication skills; and
• is committed to a career in government or elsewhere in public service, as defined by the Foundation.

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.

One 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 may select up to 15 at-large scholars.

Application Procedure

1. Connect with the Undergraduate Advising Support Office (scholarshipsandfellowships@case.edu), preferably during your junior year but no later than Nov. 15 prior to your senior year, to discuss your goals and plan to compete in this scholarship process.
2. If the above deadline is met and you're eligible to apply, CWRU campus representative, Dr. Raj Ghosh will grant you access to the online application portal. 
3. Submit your online application materials by the campus deadline of Dec 1, 2026. Required materials include:
   1. Preliminary Information
   2. List of Activities
   3. Shorty Essays
   4. Research Proposal
   5. Identify Letter Writers
4. The Campus Selection Committee will review completed applications to determine who will advance to the next stage, which is an interview with the Campus Selection Committee.
5. Following campus interviews, up to four applications will be endorsed and nominated by CWRU.‌
6. If selected as one of four candidates to represent CWRU, candidates will work directly with Dr. Raj Ghosh on submission to the national competition.

Value of the Award

The Foundation provides:

• 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 alumni 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 Truman alumni, 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.

Return to National Fellowships and Scholarships