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Award Information
Description
Truman awards recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education, or elsewhere in public service. Truman awards provide up to $30,000 financial support for graduate student and leadership training. Scholars are required to work in public service for 3 of the 7 years following completion of their graduate degree.
“Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow and only one thing endures – character.”
Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States
Eligibility
For a complete list of eligibility requirements, please consult the Truman webpage. In general, students should:
- Be U.S. citizens.
- Be a full-time junior undergraduate at the time of application.
- Complete the Truman applicant checklist.
Deadline
The WSU internal deadline is December 1.
Preparation
At Washington State University, students typically:
- Carefully determine their eligibility for this scholarship.
- Read carefully and thoroughly through the Truman website.
- Review the FAQs on the website to answer your specific questions.
- Determine how you will demonstrate your interest in being a change agent.
- Review the application questions (available online).
- Read through the effective and ineffective responses to these questions (also available online).
- Meet with the Director of Distinguished Scholarships to discuss ideas (appointments at DistinguishedScholarships@wsu.edu).
- Draft your essay responses and forward them to the director for review.
- Contact three to four (3-4) references to ask for a reference. Ask for an electronic copy of these references one week before the WSU deadline (December 1) to be provided to the director. (Tips for writing references)
Application Process
- Complete your application and submit to the Director of Distinguished Scholarships by December 1. Include:
- 14 questions of application plus your answers to these questions.
- Three letters of reference emailed to the Director of Distinguished Scholarships at DistinguishedScholarships@wsu.edu.
- Order transcripts from every college/university where you have received credit. These should be sent to:
Director, Distinguished Scholarships
Smith Center (CUE) 519
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-4519 - Reviews will be held with all applicants during the second week of school in January. Note:
- WSU may nominate only 4 applicants for the Truman Award.
- Nominees will receive online application details.
- WSU will write a letter of endorsement for each approved nominee.
After the Internal WSU Review
Chosen WSU nominees:
- Complete your essay drafts.
- Complete the online application. Carefully fill in all required fields!
- Confirm that your referees have completed the online review process.
- Proofread your work thoroughly.
- Submit your online application at least one week before the national deadline.
After you have submitted your application
- The Director of Distinguished Scholarships will review the application thoroughly.
- If there’s a problem, the director will contact you to discuss.
- The director will complete the online process and submit each application.
Past WSU Recipients
Past WSU Recipients
| Year | First (& Middle) Name | Last Name | Topic | Location Studied At | Finalist? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Jonnie | Bray | Economics, Policy, and Law | Finalist | |
| 2020 View Patrick Robichaud's news release | Patrick | Robichaud | Civil Engineering | Finalist | |
| 2017 View Alyssa Norris' news release | Alyssa | Norris | Civil Engineering | Finalist | |
| 1990 | Jesse D. | Lyon | Agricultural Economics | Purdue University | |
| 1983 | Jeffrey R. | Franks | Political Science, Economics | Princeton University |