20 Great Scholarships for Secularists

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Nonbelievers who don’t follow God or a supernatural spirit aren’t excluded from faith-based funding. There are several scholarships for secularists.

Secularism includes any anti-religious sect that eliminates worship from society. Secularists develop their worldly views based on science and reason rather than dogma.

Financial aid can help foot the hefty bill for higher education whether you identify as an:

  • atheist
  • agnostic
  • humanist
  • free thinker
  • skeptic

Monetary resources are growing as the share of atheist Americans has nearly doubled over the last decade to 3.1 percent. These scholarships aren’t always well-received though. In fact, one California school district was sued in 2016 for banning students from atheist scholarships.

Advocate for your freedom to be “Good Without God” by applying for the following 20 great secularist scholarships.

1. American Atheists O’Hair Scholarship

The American Atheists Association grants one $1,000 O’Hair Scholarship. It’s awarded annually to graduating high school seniors or current college students, including master’s or doctoral students, who identify as atheists. Eligible applicants must:

  • be secularist activists in their communities
  • attend accredited U.S. institutions full-time
  • have an overall GPA above 2.5
  • exhibit strong leadership capacity

Applications must summarize their activities and motivations for promoting separation between church and state in a 1,000-word essay.

Contact

American Atheists O’Hair Scholarship
P.O. Box 158
Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 276-7300
scholarship@atheists.org
Scholarship Link

2. Antelope Valley Freethinkers Scholarships

The Antelope Valley Freethinkers (AVF) hosts an essay contest to provide scholarships for $250, $500, and $1,000. These go to graduating high school seniors from northern Los Angeles County and Kern County in California. Entrants must write a 500-700 word original essay. It must describe how they’ve personally applied free thought to raise logical challenges to statements of faith. A separate paragraph must include the candidate’s:

  • hometown
  • college or university
  • intended major.
Contact

Antelope Valley Freethinkers Scholarships
40915 40th Street West
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 722-5997
president@avfreethinkers.org
Scholarship Link

3. Atheist Alliance of America Scholarship

The Atheist Alliance of America Champions Education initiative offers a $1,000 scholarship annually. Eligible are atheist students who are either graduating from high school and starting or continuing at an accredited U.S. college. Eligibility criteria includes:

  • achieving a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
  • participating in activism activities
  • having unmet financial need

Applications must be accompanied by a maximum 1,250-word essay reflecting on how positive atheism benefits the world.

Contact

Atheist Alliance of America Scholarship
P.O. Box 35385
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
(678) 321-0212
scholarship@atheistallianceamerica.org
Scholarship Link

4. Atheists United SLO Scholarships

Partnered with the Central Coast Coalition of Reason, the Atheist United San Luis Obispo grants $500 scholarships annually. eligible are local high school seniors who outright support secular values and help develop the atheist community. To qualify, young leaders must:

  • be accepted at a nonprofit two- or four-year college
  • reside in California for 12+ months
  • maintain a minimum B average
  • participate in charitable acts that foster a secular future.
Contact

Atheists United SLO Scholarships
791 Price Street Suite 166
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 801-3235
info@auslo.org
Scholarship Link

5. Catherine Fahringer Memorial Scholarship

The Freedom from Religion Foundation provides several scholarships for secularists, including the $1,000 Catherine Fahringer Memorial Scholarship. Suitable applicants will be graduating high school seniors who identify as:

  • atheist
  • agnostic
  • humanist
  • secular

They must need financial support to pursue post-secondary degrees. Freethinking youth must write an essay describing how their participation in community-based organizations has championed for the freedom of conscience. Preference is given to students who’ve been:

  • in foster care
  • homeless
  • migrant workers.
Contact

Catherine Fahringer Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 750
Madison WI 53701
(608) 256-8900
info@ffrf.org
Scholarship Link

6. Chinn Scholarships for LGBT Atheist Activism

Annually, the American Atheists Association offers two Chinn Scholarships for LGBT Atheist Activism. These $500 scholarships go to outstanding high school seniors and college students who have advocated to end faith-based sexual orientation discrimination. Eligible to apply are students who are:

  • Lesbian
  • gay
  • bisexual
  • transgender
  • straight ally

Other qualifications include:

  • being atheist
  • registering at an accredited U.S. college
  • holding a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • being strong voices for LGBT equality.
Contact

Chinn Scholarships for LGBT Atheist Activism
P.O. Box 158
Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 276-7300
scholarship@atheists.org
Scholarship Link

7. First in the Family Humanist Scholarship

The Black Skeptics Los Angeles offers scholarships for secularists. Eligible to apply are students of these heritages:

  • African American
  • Latino/a
  • Asian
  • Pacific Islander
  • Native American

The $1,000 First in the Family Humanist Scholarship is designed for irreligious graduating seniors from the Los Angeles Unified School District. Funding can cover tuition for students to become their family’s first college student at two and four-year institutions.

Contact

First in the Family Humanist Scholarship
3101 West 79th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 482-1595
blackskeptics@gmail.com
Scholarship Link

8. FLASH Secular Student Scholarship Fund

The University of Miami made headlines in May 2016 for establishing the United States’ first academic chair for the study of atheism and humanism. In reaction, the Florida Atheists and Secular Humanists began a Secular Student Scholarship Fund to award $500 to individuals undertaking this exciting opportunity. Qualified secularists must:

  • enroll in at least 12 credits per semester
  • maintain a minimum UM average of 3.0 or higher
  • and have unmet need.
Contact

FLASH Secular Student Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 248025
Coral Gables, FL 33124
(305) 284-4323
ofas@miami.edu
Scholarship Link

9. Herb Silverman Secular Humanist Scholarship

At the College of Charleston, the Herb Silverman Secular Humanist Scholarship was endowed by the Emeritus Professor of Mathematics to bestow $1,500 each year. Eligible candidates must:

  • be matriculated at COFC full-time
  • consider themselves a secular humanist
  • sustain a grade point average above 3.0
  • submit two faculty letters of recommendation
  • write a 500-word essay describing how a secular philosophy impacts their lifestyle

Preference is given to majors in the School of Sciences and Mathematics.

Contact

Herb Silverman Secular Humanist Scholarship
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
(843) 805-5507
SilvermanScholarship@cofc.edu
Scholarship Link

10. Hispanic American Freethinkers Technology Scholarship

The Hispanic American Freethinkers Technology Scholarship is supported by Foundation Beyond Belief. It awards $2,000 yearly to Latino/ secularists. They must be accepted into an accredited full-time bachelor’s degree program in the United States for STEM fields. Appropriate applicants will:

  • be graduating high school
  • come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
  • become first generation college students
  • write an essay detailing the importance of separation of church and state.
Contact

Hispanic American Freethinkers Technology Scholarship
1818 Library Street Suite 500-20
Reston, VA 20190
(202) 656-5060
info@HAFree.org
Scholarship Link

11. Humanists of Greater Portland Scholarship

Worth $3,000, the Humanists of Greater Portland (HGP) Scholarship is available for seniors in the Portland area. They must identify themselves as secular humanists and plan to to attend a four-year college full-time this Fall. First place in this essay contest awards $3,000. Second place gets $2,000. Third receives $1,000  Eligible candidates must:

  • attend public high schools in the Greater Portland Metro
  • have academic merit
  • display good communication skills

The application process includes writing 750 to 1,000 words addressing one of two topics that that change every year. For more information on these topics please see the Humanists of Greater Portland Scholarship website linked in the contact information below. The essay will be judged on adherence to the chosen topic, authentic voice, logical support of thesis, clarity, and organization.

Contact

Humanists of Greater Portland Scholarship
1737 NW 26th Avenue
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 452-1861
scholashipi@portlandhumanists.org
Scholarship Link

12. Joyce Schader Secular Humanist Scholarship

The Joyce Schader Secular Humanist Scholarship was established by Ramapo College of New Jersey. It honors the Associate Director of Annual Giving who lost her battle with lung cancer. It’s given annually to secularists. Qualified recipients must:

  • attend Ramapo full-time
  • show good academic standing
  • have financial need
  • be committed to humanist ethics

The required 500-word essay should describe how students personally demonstrate ethical behavior without threats of religious punishment.

Contact

Joyce Schader Secular Humanist Scholarship
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 684-7500
info@ramapo.edu
Scholarship Link

13. Mario Savio Memorial Young Activist Award

The Mario Savio Memorial Young Activist Award is named for the brilliant spokesman for the Free Speech Movement at the University of California-Berkeley in 1964. The $6,000 is for nominated youth committed to advocating human rights. Secularists could qualify if:

  • they’re between 18 and 26 years old
  • engaged in activism for freedom of expression
  • affiliated with an accredited U.S. institution
  • considered an inspirational leader by others.
Contact

Mario Savio Memorial Young Activist Award
P.O. Box 152
Guerneville, CA 95446
(707) 869-9597
savio@sonic.net
Scholarship Link

14. Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay Scholarship

The Freedom from Religion Foundation chooses 10 college students for the Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay Scholarship Contest. Awards are from $400 to $3,000. U.S. undergraduates under age 25 who identify themselves as secular and individuals of color may enter. Minorities in the Freethought Movement must craft an original, 900-word essay highlighting their experiences as courageous nonbelievers.

Graduate students to age 30 could pursue the Brian Bolton Scholarships for secularists.

Contact

Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay Scholarship
P.O. Box 750
Madison WI 53701
(608) 256-8900
info@ffrf.org
Scholarship Link

15. Paul J. Gaylor Memorial Scholarship

The Paul J. Gaylor Memorial Scholarship was created by the FFRF’s Co-President in honor of her activist father. The scholarship $1,000 annually. Eligible are high school and college students who exhibit outstanding activism for freethought and secular humanism. Funding can be used to help with college tuition or service projects for young activists enrolling at any accredited U.S. institution with good standing.

Other offered scholarships include the Nothing Fails like Prayer Award and Atheist in Foxhole Award.

Contact

Paul J. Gaylor Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 750
Madison WI 53701
(608) 256-8900
info@ffrf.org
Scholarship Link

16. Scholarships for Our Secular Future

The National Atheist Party offers two annual Scholarships for Our Secular Future for $1,000 each.  Eligible are high school and college students who take active roles in their community to uphold secular values. For eligibility, individuals must:

  • be U.S. citizens
  • be accepted at accredited higher learning institutions
  • study full-time with less than 70 credits
  • achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • demonstrate political actions that support the NAP.
Contact

Scholarships for Our Secular Future
P.O. Box 371
Florence, KY 41042
NAP.EB@usanap.org
Scholarship Link

17. Science Steps Forward Scholarships

Another scholarship for secularists from the National Atheist Party is the Science Steps Forward Scholarships. These offer $1,000 each year. The NAP Executive Board looks for high school and college students who wish to develop secular, evidence-based conclusions. They do this by majoring in research or applied sciences. Tomorrow’s scientific leaders must:

  • be U.S. citizens
  • have under 70 college credits
  • attend accredited colleges
  • carry a cumulative GPA above 3.0
  • attach two written recommendations.
Contact

Science Steps Forward Scholarships
P.O. Box 371
Florence, KY 41042
NAP.EB@usanap.org
Scholarship Link

18. Secular Student Alliance Activist Scholarships

Each year, the Secular Student Alliance proudly distributes four $2,500 and four $1,000 Activist Scholarships. They are for current SSA members who are matriculated full-time in accredited United States colleges, including graduate schools. Eligible secularists must exhibit creative activism plans for community-building projects that spread secular values for a humanistic future.

There are additional $1,000 scholarships reserved for students attending HBCUs or Floridians living in Sarasota and Bradenton.

Contact

Secular Student Alliance Activist Scholarships
P.O. Box 2371
Columbus, OH 43216
(614) 441-9588
ssa@secularstudents.org
Scholarship Link

19. Summit Ministries Opportunity Scholarship

The Summit Ministries Opportunity Scholarship covers half or full tuition up to $1,195 for attending the two-week Tennessee Worldview Conference. Students aged 16+ who are attending any United States school can enter and receive $200 for simply submitting an application. The online application requires typing an 800-word essay with concise reasoning for “Why Atheists and Agnostics Should Care About Religious Freedom.”

Contact

Summit Ministries Opportunity Scholarship
P.O. Box 207
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
(866) 786-6483
scholarship@summit.org
Scholarship Link

20. William J. Schulz Student Essay Scholarship

Similar to the Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay Scholarship, the William J. Schulz Student Essay Scholarship is provided by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. It recognizes 16 college-bound high school seniors who identify as secularists. Freethinking students enter a competition to win prizes ranging from $400 to $3,000 by writing a 750-word essay that addresses “Why Boy Scouts of America Should Welcome Atheists and Nonbelievers.”

Contact

William J. Schulz Student Essay Scholarship
P.O. Box 750
Madison WI 53701
(608) 256-8900
info@ffrf.org
Scholarship Link

Students considering themselves irreligious won’t find as many scholarships as those who are Catholic or Jewish, but opportunities are available. Scholarships are important because only 0.3 percent of undergraduates in America receive enough financial aid to cover tuition. Unlike loans, scholarships are free, non-repayable gifts of philanthropy that can lower financial burden. On average, grant and scholarship aid provides $9,740 annually according to the NCES. Along with these scholarships for secularists, search for awards based on your state, major, and hobbies.

See also: 20 Best Deals on Small Colleges for Secularists

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