---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 2005"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "2005"
heading: "Truman scholars"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/2005"
units:
  - "Chapter 42 — Harry S Truman Memorial Scholarships"
---

# §2005. Truman scholars

- (a) **Basis for award—** The [Foundation](/usc/20/2002.md?p=2) is authorized to award scholarships to persons who demonstrate outstanding potential for and who plan to pursue a career in public service. Award recipients shall be known as Truman scholars.
- (b) **Maximum period of award—** Scholarships under this chapter shall be awarded for such periods as the [Foundation](/usc/20/2002.md?p=2) may prescribe but not to exceed four academic years.
- (c) **Recipient’s choice of institution—** A student awarded a scholarship under this chapter may attend any [institution of higher education](/usc/20/2002.md?p=4) offering courses of study, training, or other educational activities designed to prepare persons for a career in public service as determined pursuant to criteria established by the [Foundation](/usc/20/2002.md?p=2).
- (d) **Encouragement of recipient to pursue public service career—** Each student awarded a scholarship under this chapter must have indicated a serious intent to enter the public service upon the completion of his or her educational program. Each [institution of higher education](/usc/20/2002.md?p=4) at which such a student is in attendance will make reasonable continuing efforts to encourage such a student to enter the public service upon completing his or her educational program.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–642, § 6, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2278.)