The Harry S. Truman Scholarship
IU Deadline: Monday, November 15, 2010
National Deadline: Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Come to one of the information sessions or the workshop scheduled at the Hutton Honors College, 811 E. Seventh Street, in the HHC Great Room, to learn more about the Truman Scholarship, a major national award that provides up to $30,000 for graduate study to students who intend to pursue graduate or professional education in preparation for a career in public service.
Truman Information Meetings are scheduled on:
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 17, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Truman Workshop is scheduled on:
Sunday, Oct. 17, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
In 2011, The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation is expected to award 60-70 merit-based scholarships to students across the nation who will be "juniors" in the 2010-11 academic year and who plan to attend graduate or professional school in preparation for careers in government or public service. Each scholarship is worth up to $30,000 and the Foundation assists Truman Scholars "with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development."
To compete for the award, students must be nominated by their undergraduate institutions. The IU Truman Nomination Committee has set 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 15, 2010, as the campus deadline for students who wish to be considered for the 2011 competition.
The Truman Foundation seeks to promote public service, which the foundation defines "as employment in government at any level, uniformed services, public-interest organization, nongovernmental research and/or educational organizations, public and private schools, and public-service oriented nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment." Scholars are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a graduate degree program funded by the Truman.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for consideration for the Truman Scholarship, a student must:
be a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree with junior-level academic standing
be a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree with senior-level standing in their third year of college enrollment
be a U.S. citizen (or a U.S. national from a Pacific Island) or a resident of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a Pacific Island
Nomination and Selection Standards:
Because the Truman Scholarship attracts the interest of top candidates around the country, IU only nominates students with outstanding credentials. The foundation chooses scholars on the basis of their excellent academic performance and communication skills, potential for leadership, extensive records of public and community service, and commitment to careers in government or elsewhere in public service. (See the Truman Foundation's definition of "public service" above.) IU's nominating committee and the Truman Foundation selectors are looking for candidates who show promise of making a difference in the world through their public service.
IU Nomination Process:
The IU committee will select up to four nominees for the national 2011 Truman competition. To be considered by the IU committee, students should pick up application materials from Elaine Hehner in the Hutton Honors College, 811 E. Seventh St., Room 210E. Copies of the application form being used for the process at IU can be downloaded from the Truman Web site: http://truman.gov/for-candidates/2010-competition/sample-landing. Copies will also be available at the information sessions and the workshop. The completed application must include the 500-word policy proposal on a significant issue related to the candidate's intended area of public service. Students seeking consideration should also arrange to have two of the three letters of recommendation described in the Truman application material sent directly by the recommender to Ms. Hehner by November 15.
Please note that the national Truman process requires three notably different recommendations:
One focused on Leadership Potential and Abilities
One focused on a Commitment to a Career in Public Service
One focused on Intellect and Prospects for Continuing Academic Success
Be sure to provide an appropriate cover sheet (available from Ms. Hehner or the Truman Web site) to each of the two individuals you ask to supply recommendations at this stage.
Additional information about the national criteria and process is available at the Truman Foundation Web site here: http://truman.gov. For additional information and guidance on the scholarship and the IU nomination process, contact IU's Truman faculty representative Judy Failer, jfailer@indiana.edu, or Elaine Hehner at ehehner@indiana.edu.
