Truman Scholarship

Through the Congressional Memorial to President Harry S. Truman, the Truman Scholarship is awarded to college juniors who plan to pursue a career in public service. The scholarship funds a grant of up to $30,000, $27,000 of which is for graduate study in the US or abroad in a wide variety of fields, such as a law degree or a Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, Master of Public Policy, or Master of International Affairs. Successful candidates will have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to being an “change agent.”

Eligibility: At the time of application, candidates must be juniors who are U.S. citizens with an interest in a career in public service (broadly defined).

Selection Process: Applicants must be nominated by the College’s faculty representative. The application requires a number of short essay questions about leadership and community service activities as well as a personal essay and policy statement on an issue of the applicant’s choice. Following review of written materials, finalists are interviewed by one of eighteen regional selection committees.

Deadlines: The application for Lewis & Clark nomination (including statements of willingness to submit letters of recommendation from the three recommenders you list), as well as your transcript, must be received by December 1, to be evaluated by a nominating committee. Nominees’ final applications are due in mid-January, for final submission by February 1.

Faculty Representative: Benjamin Gaskins, Department of Political Science