Belle Vivian Scholarship Fund

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This scholarship is awarded annually to two second year female-identified undergraduate students at USC who have demonstrated work and commitment in the area of gender equity. This scholarship, funded by donations in honor of Belle Vivian, will be the recipient of $5,000 in the form of tuition reimbursement for one academic year. These students will also invest 30 hours for a community service project they, individually, would implement for the 2023-2024 academic year.

History

Myra “Belle” Vivian, wife of Dr. Robert Vivian, dean of the School of Engineering from 1940 to 1958, was treasurer of Town and Gown, USC’s oldest women’s philanthropic organization. Ms. Vivian collected 75 cents from each person attending the luncheon and turned the money in to the USC Cashier’s Office. Ultimately this led to Town and Gown’s first checking account. Her legacy could be seen elsewhere on campus, too. In 1951, construction began on the Belle D. Vivian YWCA, which later served as home to USC Student Counseling Services. It was demolished in 2012 to create space for Wallis Annenberg Hall. The scholarship that still bears Ms. Vivian’s name is intended to help sophomore female students at USC.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Identify as female
  • Be a Sophomore for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
  • Have a minimum 3.0 GPA after completion of 32 units at the University of Southern California
  • Be a full-time student and carry at least 12 units
  • Be enrolled in classes at the University Park Campus or Health Science Campus
  • Not already be receiving a scholarship that pays for 100% of tuition
  • Be able to design and implement a 30-hour community service project over the course of the fall and spring semesters (e.g. organizing topical events in conjunction with the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services

Application dates

Application due: 10/31/2023

Applications reviewed and interviews starting on: 11/14/2023

Applicants notified: 11/28/2023

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Application
Applicants must submit the following information and materials to be considered.

  • Resume: This should be no more than two (2) pages.
  • Personal statement: Submit a typed statement that addresses the following items:
    • Describe your extracurricular involvement at USC and/or in the community.
    • Explain your professional and/or career aspirations.
    • Discuss how this scholarship will enhance your experience at USC and how it will help you achieve your professional goals.
  • Community Service Project Proposal: Write a proposal (500 words or less) describing a community service project, educational experience, or other outreach event that you would like to implement. Please ensure that the proposal provides an opportunity to educate others or works to prevent gender- and power-based harm, which aligns with the focus of RSVP.
  • Two (2) professional or academic letters of recommendation.

Submission:

Application materials can be submitted on Scholarship Universe by searching Belle Vivian Scholarship, clicking the embedded “Apply Now” link, or scanning the QR Code. Applications can also be emailed to sconsent@usc.edu with the email subject line “Belle Vivian Scholarship 2023-2024”. If submitting via email, please ensure that all materials are attached as a single PDF form. Letters of recommendation can also be submitted directly to Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services (RSVP) at  sconsent@usc.edu in PDF form from applicant’s recommenders. Applicants will be notified when letters of recommendation have been received. If an email confirmation has not been received within five (5) business days of the deadline, the applicant holds the responsibility to follow up with the recommender.

Selection Criteria
Applicants are evaluated based on academic standing, personal merit, financial need, and community and/or campus involvement related to gender equity. Applicants who best meet the criteria will be interviewed by the selection committee.

Terms of Disbursement
Awards will be disbursed in two parts: Once mid-fall, after they are selected as a recipients; And again, beginning of spring semester during the recipient’s sophomore year. The award will be distributed in equal installments of $2,500 credited directly toward tuition. If the above requirements are not met throughout the year the scholarship is awarded (GPA, volunteer hours, full-time enrollment), recipients must refund the scholarship. Scholarship recipients must keep the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services informed of any changes in their academic status, mailing address, telephone number and email address. Please call the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services at 213-740-9355 with any questions.