Harry S Truman Scholarship Program (85.001)
Program
85.001 Harry S Truman Scholarship Program
Federal Agency
HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
Authorization
Harry S Truman Memorial Scholarship Act, Public Law 93-642, 88 Stat. 2276-2280, 20 U.S.C. 2001-2013.
Program Number
85.001
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To honor former President Harry S Truman through the operation of an education scholarship program, financed by a permanent trust fund endowment, to develop increased opportunities for young Americans to prepare for and pursue careers in public service.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance is intended for the use of Scholars only.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Undergraduate junior level students at four year colleges and universities who are properly nominated by accredited colleges or universities recognized by the Department of Education.
Beneficiary Eligibility
U.S. citizens or nationals, college juniors.
Credentials/Documentation
Enrolled, matriculated in a degree program at an accredited U.S. college; Pursuing a bachelor's degree as a full-time student during the forthcoming academic year; ranked in the upper quarter of her or his class; U.S. citizen or national; selected field of study that will permit admission to a graduate or professional program allowing better preparation for a career in public service.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Each July the chief executive officers of all accredited U.S. colleges and universities are invited to appoint a Truman Scholarship Faculty Representative to manage the selection and nomination of up to four students for the forthcoming year's Truman Scholarships. The standard nomination forms with instructions will be provided in September to the designated faculty representatives of all such institutions whose presidents or chancellors inform the Foundation of their intent to participate. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
The faculty representative of an institution is the key person in the Truman Scholarship selection process and serves as liaison between her or his institution and the Foundation. The faculty representative is responsible for publicizing the Truman Scholarship on campus, soliciting recommendations on students with significant potential for leadership in government from members of the faculty, conducting a competition on campus in order to determine the candidates best qualified to be nominated by the institution, helping prepare the nominees for the competition, and insuring that the institution's official nomination or nominations are forwarded to the Truman Scholarship Review Committee by the stated deadline. The following information, on the official nominating materials, must be included with each Scholarship nomination: 1. The nomination and supporting information for the Harry S Truman Scholarship Program must include a certification that the student is a candidate for a Truman Scholarship; a statement that the student plans to pursue a career in public service; a list of the student's public service activities such as those associated with government agencies, community groups, and political campaigns; a list of leadership positions the student has held during high school and during the first two and one-half years of undergraduate study; a statement of interest in a career in public service that specifies how the student's educational plans will provide preparation for that career; and a statement that the student is willing to participate in a week long seminar sponsored by the Foundation. 2. It must also contain an essay of 700-800 words written by the student that analyzes a public policy issue chosen by the student; transcripts of the student's college grades; and four letters of recommendation. One letter must be from the Truman Faculty Representative; one of the letters must be written by a faculty member in the student's field of study; one by another person who can discuss the student's leadership potential and abilities, and, the fourth letter from a person who can discuss the student's commitment to public service.
Award Procedure
1. Initial evaluation: Students nominated for consideration as Harry S Truman Scholars will be evaluated on the basis of: a. the extent to which the student has shown an outstanding potential for leadership in public service, b. the extent of participation in community and public service activities, c. the appropriateness of the candidate's intended plan of study to prepare him/her for a career in public service, d. the student's academic performance. 2. Interviews: Finalists selected as a result of the initial evaluation of the credentials of all nominees are interviewed by Regional Review Panels, composed primarily of prominent public officials and previous recipients of Truman Scholarships. Each Review Panel will recommend from among the qualified applicants one person from each State or district for appointment by the Board of Trustees as a Truman Scholar, plus up to two additional persons for Scholarships at large from each region. The Review Panels will concentrate their evaluation on the nominees' demonstrated interest in the public service, their relative potential for leadership in government, their analytical abilities, their commitment to careers in public service, and the quality of their submitted materials. Among the characteristics they will assess in making this judgment are the following: analytic ability, communication skills, integrity, self-confidence, sensitivity to others, ability to explain with clarity a complex situation, a demonstrated interest in public service, and a commitment to future public service. 3. Final Selection: From among the candidates recommended by the Review Panels, the Board of Trustees will name up to 85 winners of Harry S Truman Scholarships.
Deadlines
January 29, 2001, for receipt of nomination materials. All materials must be submitted by the student's faculty representative.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
1. It is the intent of the Foundation to renew Scholarship awards made to college juniors for a period not to exceed three academic years of graduate study, in accordance with the regulations established by its Board of Trustees, and subject to an annual review for compliance with these requirements. 2. The Foundation may terminate a Scholarship: a. when a student has not maintained, satisfactory proficiency, or b. when the student is no longer enrolled in a program preparing her or him specifically for public service as specified by the Foundation. 3. A Scholar may seek postponement of her or his award because of ill health or other mitigating circumstances, upon application to the Executive Secretary.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
To be eligible to receive payments, a Truman Scholar must submit in writing: 1. an acceptance of the Scholarship award, 2. An annual report, and 3. at the beginning of each academic year, a statement of eligible expenses certified by the authorized financial officer of the enrolling institution, including those of tuition, fees, books, and room and board, an additional certification regarding the Scholar's academic program, an annual report, and other certifications as required by law or regulation. The number of payments to be made via Treasury check during the academic year will correspond to the number of semesters, trimesters, or quarters in the institution's academic year and the amount of funds to be provided, the total not to exceed $30,000.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not required.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
Since the Program's inception, 2016 (of a total of approximately 20,000 nominees) college students studying for careers in public service have received scholarship assistance. The first six classes of Truman Scholars are progressing well toward their goals of preparation for public service by gaining acceptance to high quality postgraduate programs, by pursuing Foundation-assisted or self- initiated internship opportunities, and by securing positions in government at the Federal, State, and local levels.
Financial Information
Account Identification
95-8296-0-7-502.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $2,000,000; FY 03 est $2,000,000; and FY 04 est $2,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$3,000 to $13,500; $6,510.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
45 CFR 1801.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Louis Blair, Executive Secretary, 712 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20006. Telephone: (202) 395-4831. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
