Truman Scholarship
The Truman Scholarship is meant to celebrate and prepare the nation's next generation of public service leaders. Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate school as well as access to extensive Scholar programming, priority admission and financial support from public service graduate programs, advising and mentoring from other public service leaders, and preferred hiring with the federal government.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen, U.S. National resident of American Samoa, or expecting citizenship by the date of the award;
- Junior expecting to receive the bachelor's degree between December 2026 and August 2027;
- If you expect to earn your degree between December 2027 and August 2028, you will be eligible to apply next year.
- Planning to attend graduate school in pursuit of a career in public service;
- Available for a Stanford interview in November 2025;
- Able to attend the Truman Scholars Leadership Week.
Information Sessions
- Spring 2025: Monday, April 28 from 2:00-3:00 pm (Haas Center DK Room)
- Summer 2025: Thursday, August 21 from 5:30-6:30 pm (Virtual)
- Fall 2025:
- Friday, September 26 from 4:00-5:00 pm (Virtual)
- Wednesday, October 8 at 11:00 am-12:00 pm (Virtual)
Want to learn more? Check out the 2026 Truman Foundation Open House Webinar recording.
Issac Nehring
Application
Candidates must be nominated through Stanford to be considered for the Truman Scholarship. A committee of Stanford staff and faculty will review applications, interview top applicants, and select up to seven campus nominees. Campus nominees will work with the Stanford Advisor in preparation for the regional interviews in March/April. The following steps must be completed for an application to be considered for campus nomination:
- Complete the Truman Scholarship Candidate Registration form to acquire your unique login for the Truman application portal.
- Request three letters of recommendation through SOLO, one for each of the selection criteria:
- Leadership Abilities and Potential
- Commitment to a Career in Public Service
- Intellect and Prospects for Continuing Academic Success.
- Complete the online application on the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation website.
- Submit all application materials through SOLO by the campus deadline:
- A PDF of your online application;
- Unofficial Stanford transcript;
- Other official college transcript(s), if you are a transfer student;
- Three letters of recommendation;
- Signed Truman Scholarship Nomination Permission Form and Waiver.
Additional Resources
Review the advice and resources below for additional guidance. If you have any questions about the application or nomination process, schedule a one-on-one advising appointment with a member of the Cardinal Careers Team– Jessica Reynoso, Juaquín Sims or Ben Weissman– on Handshake by selecting the "Public Service and Social Impact" category.
- Read sample application essays from Stanford Truman Scholars in an advising session with the Cardinal Careers Team.
- Review the "Letters of Recommendation" webpage on the Truman Foundation website for additional information and advice.
- Subscribe to the Cardinal Careers Newsletter for announcements about the Truman Scholarship and other opportunities.
- Review information on how to request your electronic transcript from Stanford.
- Schedule an appointment with a tutor at the Hume Center for Writing and Speaking to revise your essays and prepare for interviews.