Maskay guide

Truman Scholarship 2027: up to $30,000 for college students pursuing public service

The Truman Scholarship supports college students preparing for public-service careers and graduate study. The Harry S. Truman Foundation provides up to $30,000 for a public-service-related graduate or professional degree, along with leaders

The Truman Scholarship supports college students preparing for public-service careers and graduate study. The Harry S. Truman Foundation provides up to $30,000 for a public-service-related graduate or professional degree, along with leadership programming and federal internship or employment opportunities. Students from many majors may apply; the key is connecting future study to a public-service path.

For the 2027 competition, candidates must be junior-level students at a four-year institution during 2026–27, rank in the top quarter of their class, and be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals from American Samoa. The foundation expects one resident Scholar per state and covered jurisdiction, plus possible at-large Scholars. Permanent residents with a green card do not qualify unless they meet the citizenship rule by the required time.

The foundation deadline is February 2, 2027, but the first step is obtaining nomination from the university’s Truman Faculty Representative. Each institution may nominate up to four students and, under specific rules, three additional transfer candidates. Two-year colleges may nominate only former students already enrolled full-time as juniors at an accredited four-year institution. The campus selection process may close much earlier.

The application calls for community-service and leadership records, academic information, recommendations, and a public-policy proposal of up to 500 words, along with a graduate-study plan. Students cannot submit independently without institutional endorsement. Contact the Faculty Representative in the fall, ask for the campus schedule, and discuss how to show impact, learning, and a realistic plan for addressing a public problem.

Confirm the academic year, local deadline and time, who must submit each document, and whether supplemental questions remain. Keep confirmations and recheck the portal after submitting. Ask the school’s financial-aid office how FAFSA, outside awards, and payments coordinate.

Read the aid-program profile and the FAFSA guide; confirm with the institution how funding is coordinated.

2027 Bulletin of Information — Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

2027 important dates — Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

Information checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Funding, criteria, and dates can change; confirm the linked cycle rules before submitting documents and ask the school how the award coordinates with other aid.

Bottom line

Confirm eligibility and the 2027 cycle deadline on the official portal before applying.

Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

  1. Official website ↗ Primary source Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  2. Official website ↗ Primary source Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  3. Official application and program information ↗ Primary source Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  4. Official website of Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation ↗ Primary source Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  5. Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗ Primary source Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  6. Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗ Primary source Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.