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The Truman Scholarship

A living memorial to the thirty-third president.

The Truman Foundation is the nation’s official living memorial to our thirty-third president and the presidential monument to public service. Created by Congress in 1975, the Foundation was President Truman’s idea.

President Truman did not want a bricks and mortar monument. Instead, he encouraged a living memorial that would give life to the values of service that had animated his career. In that spirit, the Truman Foundation is a place that nurtures and supports future generations who answer the call to public service leadership.

Each year the Hinckley Institute nominates up to three students for this prestigious scholarship. One student per state is awarded a $30,000 scholarship towards a graduate degree. The rigorous selection process requires that good candidates have a strong record of public service, as well as a policy proposal that addresses an issue in society.

APPLICATION OVERVIEW

To access the on-line application, students must first meet with and receive login credentials from Gina Shipley.

Students wishing to apply for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be junior level academic standing with a GPA of 3.7+

  • Planning to attend graduate school

  • Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to a career in public service

  • Desire to make a difference

Candidates work with the Hinckley Institute to refine their application and a university committee conducts interviews for regional review panels.

The application consists of the following documents:

  • Current resume

  • Transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Application form

  • Policy Proposal

Truman Scholarship
application sample:

For more sample applications,
visit Truman.gov

Previous Truman Scholars

MALEA BAUER - 2023
Malea majored in economics and international studies with a focus in foreign relations and security with a minor in Spanish. In working for the University of Utah’s Bystander Initiative, Malea drafted legislative proposals, prepared testimonies, and sat on task forces for institutional human rights abuses. Malea also participated in an internship at World Trade Center Utah promoting international economic development.
JACK JOWERS - 2022
Jack graduated from the University of Utah in 2022 with degrees in economics and political science. He completed Hinckley internships with various social impact organizations and as an intern for the U.S. Senator Mitt Romney.
ELISE SCOTT - 2020
Elise graduated from the University of Utah in 2020 with degrees in communications and political science. She completed a Hinckley internship with Utah’s Legislature working for Representative Patrice Arent.
SAMANTHA THORNE - 2019
Samantha graduated from the University of Utah with degrees in economics and international studies. She participated in two Hinckley internships, working as a communications intern in senatorial and gubernatorial offices. She was also a Hinckley forum host.
TIANNA TU - 2014
Tianna graduated from the University of Utah with degrees in political science and international studies. She participated in three Hinckley internships, working for the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, as an intern for the Utah State Legislature with the House Minority Leader, and as an intern for the U.S. State Department International Organization Affairs, Human Rights Council in Washington, D.C.
ASHLEY EDGETTE - 2012
Ashley graduated from the University of Utah in 2013 with degrees in political science and environmental studies, as well as a minor in French. She participated in two internships with the Hinckley Institute working with the Mestizo Arts and Activism Collective in Salt Lake.
BRANDON PEART - 2011
Brandon is a graduate of the University of Utah. As an undergraduate student, he completed a Hinckley internship with the U.S. Department of State in the Office of Commercial and Business Affairs.
CODY SCOTT ROGERS - 2010
Cody is a graduate of the University of Utah and the University of Virginia School of Law. As an undergraduate student, he completed Hinckley internships with Senator Bob Bennett and a global internship in Brussels, Belgium, with the U.S. Mission to NATO.
PATRICK REIMHERR - 2009
Patrick graduated from the University of Utah in 2010 with degrees in political science, economics, and Spanish. He served Hinckley Internships with Christian Burridge’s congressional campaign, Representative Ralph Becker, and the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C.
INGRID PRICE - 2008
Ingrid is a graduate of the University of Utah and Stanford Law School. As an undergraduate student, she completed Hinckley internships with the U.S. State Department Mission to N.A.T.O. in Brussels, Belgium; the U.N. Foundation in Washington, D.C., with the Better World Campaign; and Ralph Becker’s mayoral campaign.
BRYSON MORGAN - 2007
As an undergraduate student at the University of Utah, Bryson completed Hinckley internships with State Representative Karen Morgan and the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C.; he was also student staff at the Hinckley Institute.