Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (federal memorial)
Up to $30,000 for graduate school for juniors headed for public service careers
- How much
- up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school
- Who qualifies
- Full-time junior at a four-year institution in 2026-27 (graduating Dec 2027-Aug 2028, or a third-year student graduating in 2026-27); upper quarter of class; nominated by the school's Faculty Representative; strong record of public/community service and leadership; committed to a public service career. Service requirement: 3 of 7 years in public service after the funded graduate degree.
- For undergrads
- U.S. citizen or U.S. national from American Samoa (green card holders not eligible)
- When to apply
- Due February 2, 2027 Annual; campus nomination process in the fall; Foundation deadline early February (Feb 2, 2027, 11:59 pm your time zone); finalists notified mid-February; regional interviews March-April; scholars posted late April
- How to apply
- Your school's Truman Faculty Representative nominates you
- Submit the application with a policy proposal and letters of recommendation
- Finalists interview with regional panels
- What you'll need
- essay + recommendation + school nomination + interview
- Last checked
- October 21, 2026, against the official page (truman.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Up to $30,000 toward a public-service-related graduate degree, plus leadership development (the required Truman Scholars Leadership Week, an optional Summer Institute in DC, and Truman-Albright and other fellowships) and special access to federal internships and jobs. For 2027: one scholarship for a qualified resident nominee in each state, DC, Puerto Rico, and the Islands (as one), plus up to 15 at-large. Scholars must work in public service for three of the seven years after finishing the funded graduate degree, or repay with interest.
More federal and national aid
- QuestBridge National College Matchfull four-year scholarship to a partner college (worth $360,000+; tuition, room/board, no loans)
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Programup to $55,000/yr for up to 4 years (last-dollar after institutional aid)
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship$100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (one-time)
- Burger King Scholars Program$1,000 to $60,000 (most general-track awards $1,000 or $5,000; up to three $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)$37,000/yr stipend + $16,000/yr cost-of-education allowance to the school, for 3 years
Keep looking
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