Eligibility Requirements

What are the primary criteria for selection?

Students should be in their junior year at an accredited four-year institution.  Successful Candidates must demonstrate:

• An extensive record of campus and community service;
• Commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit and advocacy sectors;
• Excellent communication skills and a high probability of becoming a "change agent";
• A strong academic record with likely acceptance by a first-rate graduate school.

 

Only about 2% of Candidates demonstrate strength in all of these areas.  Most successful Candidates have strengths in two or more areas.

 

Other Questions in Eligibility Requirements
Does the Foundation prefer people who want to provide direct services? Or does it prefer people with broader policy orientations?
How important are grades?
Does the Foundation care about my political affiliation?
Must candidates be U.S. citizens?
There has never been a Truman Scholar from my school. Do I have a chance?
Is a student who is a junior (in his or her third year of college), but a senior in credits, still eligible?
Many Truman Scholars come from private institutions. Do candidates from public schools have the same chance of being selected?
Are there any degrees or fields of study that are given priority?
Can a candidate apply more than once?
Are nontraditional, reentry, or transfer students ever selected?
Are students participating in junior year abroad or five year degree programs eligible?
I want to spend my career working in local politics or government. Will this hurt my prospects?
Is the Truman Scholars Leadership Week a required event?
How difficult is it to get my institution's nomination?
Is financial need a consideration?
How important is the public service record?