The Foundation selects Finalists from the students who are nominated.

(a) The Foundation appoints a committee to select finalists from the students nominated on the basis of the following criteria:

(1) Extent and quality of community service and government involvement;

(2) Leadership record;

(3) Academic performance and writing and analytical skills; and

(4) Suitability of the nominee's proposed program of study and its appropriateness for a leadership career in public service.

(b) The Foundation selects Finalists solely on the basis of the information required under § 1801.17.

The Foundation invites each Finalist to an interview with a regional review panel. Panels evaluate Truman Finalists primarily on:

(a) Leadership potential and communication skills;

(b) Likelihood of “making a difference” in public service; and

(c) Intellectual strength, analytical abilities, and prospects of performing well in graduate school.

(a) Each Panel is asked to recommend to the Board of Trustees the name of one candidate from each state in the region to be appointed as a Truman Scholar. The Foundation may authorize each regional review panel to recommend additional Scholars from the States in its region.

(b) A panel's recommendations are based on the material required under § 1801.17 and, as determined in the interview, the panel's assessment of each Finalist in terms of criteria presented in § 1801.22.

(c) In the event that a regional review panel determines that none of the Finalists from a state meets all the requirements expected of a Truman Scholar, it does not provide a recommendation. The Foundation will carry over the Scholarship for that state making two Scholarships available the following year.

The Foundation names Truman Scholars after receiving recommendations from the regional review panels.