TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIPS

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2008 TRUMAN SCHOLAR KATIE BALL!
(read the press release)

The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection.

IMPORTANT DATES 2007

• August 1 (Wednesday) - William and Mary Truman pre-application deadline (click here for the online form)
• October 24 (Wednesday) – campus deadline: all parts of the application are due to the Charles Center
• October 30 (Tuesday) – invitations to interview are issued by 5 p.m.
• November 6-7 (Tuesday –Wednesday) – interviews
• November 7 – January 30 – nominees polish applications (with committee input)
• January 30 (Wednesday) – final application due to the Charles Center

ARE YOU A POTENTIAL TRUMAN SCHOLAR?

If you can put a check beside each of the following statements, you should be a strong candidate for a Truman Scholarship. If more than two do not apply, the Truman Scholarship is probably not right for you.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS (must be met) 

• At the time I apply, I will be a full-time student pursuing a bachelor's degree with junior-level academic standing; I have senior-level standing in my third year of college enrollment; or I am a senior and a resident of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a Pacific Island.  Note:  Students who have completed their bachelor's degree or are already attending graduate school are not eligible for the Truman Scholarship.
• I am a U.S. citizen (or a U.S. national from a Pacific Island) or I expect to receive my citizenship by the date the Scholarship will be awarded.

CAREER AND GRADUATE STUDY INTERESTS 

• I hope to be a "change agent," in time, improving the ways that government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions serve the public. 
• There are conditions in our society or the environment which trouble me. 
• I want to work in government, education, the nonprofit sector, or the public interest/advocacy sector to improve these conditions. 
• I am comfortable committing to work in public service for three of the first seven years after I complete a Foundation-funded graduate degree.
• I would like to get a master's degree, a doctorate, or a professional degree 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.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ACADEMIC RECORD 

• I have participated extensively in two or more of the following sets of activities:
  • Student government and/or campus-based extracurricular activities
    
  • Community service-related activities that were not organized by my school or by my fraternity/sorority
    
  • Government internships, commissions or boards, advocacy or interest groups, nonpartisan political activities, or military/ROTC
    
  • Partisan political activities and campaigns
• I have been involved with organizations or activities related to my career interests. 
• I have demonstrated some of my leadership potential. 
• I have high grades and a sufficiently strong curriculum to gain admittance to a first-rate graduate institution. 
• I read regularly a good national newspaper and a thoughtful periodical. 
• I have had one or more courses relating to my career interests.

GENERAL 

• I would appreciate external affirmation of my values and goals. 
• I would like to become associated with Truman Scholar "change agents." 
• I am capable of analyzing a public issue in my intended career area and presenting my findings in a one-page memo to a government official who could take action. 
• I am willing to prepare an outstanding application and policy proposal under the supervision of my Truman Faculty Representative. 
• I believe I could hold my own in a challenging interview conducted by a panel of prominent public servants, educators, and former Truman Scholars. 
• I could use $30,000 to continue my education.