The Freedom From Religion Foundation is assisting several students through its currently open three Scholarship Essay Contests. The awards are available for various students such as undergraduate and graduate college students attending a North American college or university.
The purpose of organizing these enormous grants is to provide adequate support a student needs to accomplish their higher education. The beneficiaries of the program will be rewarded with funds for their quality studies.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. is known as a national membership association of more than 30,000 freethinkers: atheists, agnostics, and skeptics of any pedigree. It is a non-profit, tax-exempt, educational organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c) (3).
Who May Eligible?
Below are the eligibility criteria for the entire three scholarship program:
Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay Contest
- Must be ongoing undergraduate college students up to age 24
- Must be already attending a North American college or university.
- You remain eligible to enter this contest if you graduate from college by spring or summer of 2020.
David Hudak Memorial Essay Contest
- Must be freethinking students of color ages 17-21, who are either high school seniors graduating in spring 2020
- Students who will be attending a North American college or university in fall 2020, or who are recently enrolled in a college or university.
- This contest is offered to provide support and acknowledgment for freethinking students of color, as a minority within a minority.
- People of Color refers to all racial groups that are not white. Specifically, any person who is not considered white, including African-Americans, Hispanic- Americans, Asian-Americans and others.
Brian Bolton Essay Contest
- Must be any graduate students through the age 30, or to undergraduate students ages 25-30
- Must attend a North American college or university.
- You remain eligible to enter this contest if you graduate by spring or summer 2020.
How to Apply
Applicants who are eligible for any of the above programs are asked to fill out their required details through an online submission form with providing the essay.
Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay Contest Application
David Hudak Memorial Essay Contest Application
Brian Bolton Essay Contest Application
Supporting Documents
- An essay of 450-650 words on “The Necessity of Freethought — Why I am Not Religious.” for Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay Contest
- An essay of 400-600 words on “Living and Thriving Without Religion” for David Hudak Memorial Essay Contest
- An essay of 550-700 words on “Why God has no place in political debate; the growing dangers of Christian Nationalism.” Brian Bolton Essay Contest
Benefits
The deserving recipients will be receiving the cash prizes as below:
- First Place Prize: $3,500
- Second Place Award: $3,000
- Third Place Award: $2,500
- Fourth Place Award: $2,000
- Fifth Place Award: $1,500
- Sixth Place Award: $1,000
- Seventh Place Award: $750
- Eighth Place Award: $500
- Ninth Place Award: $400
- Tenth Place Award: $300
- Optional Honorable Mention(s): $200
Application Deadline
The application deadlines for the essay contest are July 1, July 15, and August 1 for the year 2020.
