CPF Student Scholars Program Highlight

Get rewarded for the time you already spend at CPF.

The USC Center for the Political Future hosts events, study groups, and internship programs for students across the university. The Student Scholars Program tracks your participation and turns it into rewards: private job boards, honor cords at graduation, receptions with political leaders, and scholarship money.

You do not need to be a Dornsife student, a Political Science major, or politically experienced. If you attend CPF events, you can earn credit.

[Enroll in the Student Scholars Program]

 

How It Works

  1. Sign up once. Complete the Student Scholars Form with your name and contact information. A CPF staff member will send you a welcome email once your submission is processed.
  2. Attend CPF events and activities. Study groups, conferences, speaker events, classes, internships, and directed research all count. See “What counts as an event?” below.
  3. Submit proof after each activity. Use the same Student Scholars Form every time. Upload a selfie at the event, a Zoom screenshot, or similar proof. Your first event and your fiftieth go through the same form.

Credit accumulates toward three tiers. As you complete each tier, you unlock the rewards below.

[Submit an activity for credit]

 

The Three Tiers

Tier 1 – CPF Scholar

 

Tier 2 – CPF Honor Cord Scholar

  • An honor cord to wear at graduation, recognizing your work at CPF and your commitment to civil dialogue
  • An invitation to a private reception with CPF visitors and political leaders
  • Everything included in Tier 1

 

Tier 3 – CPF Civic Leader Scholarship – Tier 3

  • The Elizabeth Garrett Leadership Award scholarship
  • A feature on the CPF website
  • An invitation to the private CPF scholarship reception
  • Everything included in Tiers 1 and 2

[Tier Requirements and Activities]

CPF Student Scholars Program FAQs

  • Any USC student, from any school, major, or field of study. Undergraduate, master’s, and even PhD students are eligible to participate in the program

  • To check your progress, you can either email cpf@usc.edu or stop in SOS B15 during normal business hours to speak with a member of the staff who manages the program

  • Full-time CPF staff members review submissions. CPF keeps a digital record of every submission, the approval, and the approver.

  • Only if the event was hosted entirely on Zoom. If an event is held in person and you choose to join online, it does not count unless a full-time CPF staff member authorizes it in advance.

  • A selfie at the event, a screenshot of you in the Zoom, or anything else showing that you attended and participated. If you are unsure whether something works as proof, email cpf@usc.edu before the event.

  • Not automatically. Submitting proof through the form is what makes an activity count, and CPF holds every student to the same standard. If you have proof in another form, bring it to SOS B15 and speak with a staff member. Staff review these case by case.

  • Usually, yes. If you can produce proof of attendance, you are very likely eligible. The further back the activity, the harder it is to verify and the less likely the proof still exists, so bring what you have to SOS B15 and a staff member will review it with you. Graduating students receive honor cords roughly two months before commencement. If you are close to finishing Tier 2 or Tier 3, work with a full-time CPF staff member well before that point so you can plan the remaining activities. Stop by SOS B15 or email cpf@usc.edu.

  • Yes. In-person CPF events that normally earn scholar credit count for both class credit and scholar credit.

  • Graduating students receive honor cords roughly two months before commencement. If you are close to finishing Tier 2 or Tier 3, work with a full-time CPF staff member well before that point so you can plan the remaining activities. Stop by SOS B15 or email cpf@usc.edu.

  • Email cpf@usc.edu or visit SOS B15.