Step 1:

Determine Type of Scholarship Fund

The first step is to determine whether you would like to establish an "endowed"  scholarship or an "annual" scholarship:

• Endowed Scholarships
  Endowed scholarship funds are designed to be permanent and perpetual and can be created with gifts totaling a minimum amount of $15,000, contributed in full at the outset or with an initial commitment that is added to over time until the endowment level of $15,000 is attained. The principal of the fund is invested to produce income, and an annual award is made to a student/s. The principal remains untouched, so the endowment can last into perpetuity.
   

• Annual Scholarships
  Annual scholarships can be established with an outright gift of $1,000. An annual commitment of $1,000 per year for four years is recommended, and the annual gift is awarded to recipients over the four-year period. Unlike an endowed scholarship described above, an annual scholarship is not a permanent fund and is awarded only as long you (or others) choose to contribute to the fund.

As a scholarship donor, you choose the name of the scholarship as well as the criteria. The Office of Advancement is available to help you create the criteria for your scholarship. Endowed and annual scholarships at Truman are awarded to deserving students based upon area of interest, geographical origin, leadership potential, merit, financial need, academic achievement and/or other criteria. The Truman State University Foundation must agree to any special award conditions established by the donor.

CLICK HERE to view list of Existing Scholarships
(click on different scholarship funds to see samples of various criteria)

Typically, a selection committee carefully reviews the scholarship applications submitted by students and selects the most deserving recipient(s) based on the donor-established criteria.

Major contributors of a scholarship fund are notified annually when the scholarship recipient(s) has been selected and are informed of the name and hometown of the recipient, as well as the amount of the award. Recipients often write a thank-you note to the donor, and in some cases, the recipient and donor are able to meet.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How are Foundation scholarships named and how is the selection criteria established?
  
  The major benefactor of a scholarship establishes the scholarship name. You can establish a scholarship in your own name or choose to name it for a friend, family member, or a favorite faculty member. You also aid in establishing the criteria by expressing your intentions for the award. The Foundation will draft the criteria according to your specifications and present it to you for your approval.
   

• How are Foundation scholarships awarded?
  
  Foundation scholarships for current students are advertised on the Truman website and applications are collected online. Typically, a selection committee carefully reviews each application and selects the most deserving recipient(s) based on the established criteria.
  
  Foundation scholarships available to incoming freshmen are awarded by the Admission Office. For more information on these scholarships visit the Admission web site
   

• Will I receive notification when a student is awarded the scholarship?
  
  You will be notified annually when the scholarship recipient(s) has been selected. You will be informed of the name and hometown of the recipient, as well as the amount of the award and status of the fund.