Scholarship application deadline for 2005 is PAST -- NO MORE PLEASE
Congrats to James McQuiston
for winning the 2005 $1000 Atheist Scholarship and to
Honorable mentions: H. Mehta, M. Jones, M. Knox and C. Mariscal What is it? The American Atheists College Scholarship (AACS) grants
a single award of $1000 to an Atheist student going to college every year. The American Atheists Gay/Lesbian College Scholarship (AAGLCS) is a $500 grant toan outstanding gay/lesbian Atheist.
Who can enter? The grant can be used for current college students or for high school students entering college next year.
NOTE: Membership is required to accept the prize, but not to apply. A
gay or lesbian person may apply for both scholarships, but s/he can only win one of them. How is the winner chosen? American Atheists is an organization of activists, and so our scholarship will be awarded
primarily on activism. Qualified applicants must submit an entry form and any and all information or evidence they have of their activism for the previous year. Examples include:
While any and all activism is important and will be considered, special attention will be given to those students who show activism in their schools, such as starting Atheist/freethinker groups or fighting against violations of
the separation of church and state in the school. Please note that merely writing an essay will not win you the scholarship. This is about activism, and your essay should be about your activism for the cause of Atheist
civil liberties, the separation of church and state, or placing a positive face on Atheism. Show proof -- include clippings, printouts, or copies of letters. Writing well is important, but we'll take a poorly-written
essay about heroic activism over a well written essay about nothing any day. Do, then write.
Violent or vandalistic behavior is not tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification.
Who decides the winner? The winner will be chosen by the Youth and Family Director, the President, and/or the
delegates they choose who are directors and/or officers of American Atheists. How do I enter? Winning is hard, but entry is easy. Simply fill out the entry form and submit it, your 500-1000 word essay,
and all supporting documentation via mail before Important disclaimer As you can see
above, the winner is chosen on purely subjective criteria. American Atheists reserves the right to choose the recipient of the scholarship as we see fit. We also reserve the right to withdraw the scholarship after it is
announced but before it is paid if we see substantial evidence of violent or otherwise undesirable behavior in the recipient. A runner-up may also be chosen in case the winner is deemed no longer worthy. Finally, while
we will try to verify all claims made by applicants, we cannot and will not be held responsible if we are deceived in any way.
Good luck, and may the best activist win!
Download the application form in DOC format (MS Word)
American Atheists gratefully acknowledges the life members who founded the Scholarship Fund:
We also thank Dr. Richard Chinn, who founded the Gay/Lesbian Scholarship fund.
Barbara J. Baldock, Dr. Phillip Butler, Rice O'dell, Lillian B. Ramsden, and Irving Yablon