C.T. and Octavia Vivian believed in the power of literature to transform minds and elevate one’s understanding of who we are, who we have been, and who we have the potential to be as African Americans.  They also believed in supporting students whose passions and actions have the potential to further the impact of literary work. To honor their legacy, The C.T. Vivian Foundation, formerly, The C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives will provide scholarships to college and high school senior students who aspire to become writers, pursue social justice change, and have a passion for writing about the African American experience through poetry, history, journalism, fiction, and all other genres of literature.

Please find the following below & please read the application in its entirety:

• About the Octavia Vivian Scholarship
• FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
• Scholarship Timeline & Grading Rubric
• Contact information

About:

The Octavia Vivian Scholarship is a national scholarship open to current high school senior students & college students.  The Octavia Vivian Scholarship will award 4 scholarships in the amount of a minimum of $4,000 each.   These awards will go to the top 4 literary submissions that best meet the rubric criteria.

Eligibility Criteria:

• For high school senior students: no specific area of study is required.
• For college students: eligible students must plan to or currently major in Journalism, English, African American Studies, or Political Science or have written literary pieces about the black experience (applicants of all nationalities and/or ethnicities are welcome to apply).  All submissions are subject to validation.
• Applicants must complete the Application itself at this link: https://forms.gle/5usu4s3QKhZ55xjF7
• Applicants will need to write and submit a Literary work that speaks about the Black experience or the Power of Literature of at least 250 words but not to exceed 750 words (double spaced) and upload that Literary Work into the application at the link above. Please see the Grading Rubric for specific literary requirements.  The written literary work must be one of the following categories: poetry/written spoken word, short stories, or essay.
• Applicants must have a letter of recommendation submitted by February 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM on official school letterhead.  

• High school senior students must request a letter from the  high school counselor, current high school teacher, or graduation coach.
• College students must request the letter from a current professor or college advisor.
• The recommender will need to submit the letter to this link: https://forms.gle/aKcuV3wQs8Equqyj6

Please Note: In order to apply, students can not be on any type of probation (social or academic) or in jeopardy of being retained. Validation of this will be requested from the counselor or advisor prior to scholarships funds being released.  

FAQ’S:

• How do I submit my application:

• You will submit your application using the following link: https://forms.gle/5usu4s3QKhZ55xjF7

• What is the deadline to submit my scholarship application?

• The deadline for both the applicant & recommender submissions is February 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

• How does my recommender submit my recommendation letter?

• The recommender will submit using the following link: https://forms.gle/aKcuV3wQs8Equqyj6

• What is the deadline for my recommender to submit?

• The deadline for both the applicant & recommender submissions is February 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

• When will I find out if I am a winner?

• Applicants will be notified by March 15, 2024 if they have won this scholarship award & will be recognized on the foundation’s website and at the annual Kaleidoscope award ceremony on April 18, 2024.

• When will I receive the scholarship funds if I am a winner?

• Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the college requested by the applicant.  If you are awarded this scholarship, we will confirm the university with you at a later date before funds are released to ensure your funds are sent to the proper university.

Applicant & Recommender Scholarship Timeline:

Grading Rubric:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1miGT9q1Q_-tC6ioPFE0xhW8SsKUrrkHg/edit

Contact Information:

Should you have any questions or concerns during this application process, please contact Mrs. Larri Rose at theovscholarship@gmail.com.