The Freedom From Religion Foundation salutes the growing number of religiously unaffiliated students, with reputable polls and surveys putting Generation Z “Nones” (atheists, agnostics and “nothing in particulars”) at between 35 and 49 percent.
FFRF offers freethinking student support in a variety of ways, including:
FFRF Student Activist Scholarships
- FFRF Student Activist Scholarships, typically $1,000, for exceptional activism. See previous student award recipients. Nominate yourself or another student here.
FFRF Student Essay Contests
- FFRF Student Essay Contests, including five contests for: college-bound high school seniors; ongoing college students, BIPOC students; graduate or “older” undergrad students and law students. Read more about FFRF’s significant scholarships. Most topics and prompts are announced by March 1, except for law student competitions, which are announced in late fall. Entrants receive a school-year digital student membership in FFRF.
FFRF Forward Freethought Stipends
- Limited needs-based tuition scholarships, the “FFRF Forward Freethought” stipends, in conjunction with Black Skeptics Los Angeles for those who are first in their family to attend college. See BSLA.
FFRF/Secular Student Alliance Scholarships
- Several scholarships for student majors or interests offered in conjunction with FFRF/Secular Student Alliance. See SSA’s spring announcements.
East Tennessee Scholarship Committee
- This scholarship, awarding $2,200 annually to 10 different students, is not hosted by FFRF, but is administered by a regional committee including FFRF’s East Tennessee chapter. See more information.
HGP Del Allen Memorial Scholarship
- This scholarship is not hosted by FFRF, but was started by the late, longtime FFRF member Don Fellers and is for humanist students in the Portland, Ore., area.
Student Clubs Speaking Opportunities
- FFRF offers student clubs speakers. FFRF staffers, including our co-presidents and knowledgeable attorneys, are offered to speak at events, live or remote. FFRF Co-President Dan Barker also does debates. If the SSA Club does not have funding to pay transportation or accommodations, FFRF will pay that in order to provide student clubs with a complimentary speaker.
Vote like your rights depend on it — because they do. FFRF strongly encourages secular students to empower yourselves, help save our secular democracy and individual liberties, such as abortion rights and LGBTQ rights, by registering to vote. Given widespread voter suppression laws and tactics, it’s a good idea to research voting requirements in your area or campus in advance at Rock the Vote. The secular youth vote can swing elections!
