Secular Student Activist Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Secular Student Alliance

Description
The Secular Student Activist Scholarship supports full-time students in U.S. schools who combine academic achievement with activism promoting secular values on campus or in their community. The award is administered by the Secular Student Alliance and aims to recognize and amplify students who advance separation of church and state and secular student organizing. Applicants complete an online form that evaluates identity, activism, goals, and barriers to education. Review the eligibility and application instructions carefully before beginning.

- Designed for students who pair academic work with secular activism.
- Open to full-time students at U.S. schools across several educational levels.
- Applications are completed and submitted online to the Secular Student Alliance.
- Read instructions thoroughly before you begin the form.

Eligibility
This scholarship is available to students enrolled full-time in U.S. middle schools, high schools, trade schools, colleges, or universities. Applicants must be currently registered full-time; you will need to provide proof of enrollment as part of the process if requested. The application requires 1–2 references, so have contact details ready. Meet all submission requirements and apply by the posted deadline to remain eligible.

- Must be a full-time student at a U.S. school (middle school through university).
- Have 1–2 references available with contact information.
- Maintain current full-time enrollment at time of application.
- Complete and submit the application by the due date.

Application Components
The online application is built in multiple parts and asks for background information, written responses, references, and a short video. You will be automatically considered for the general SSA Activist scholarship when you complete this form. Make sure all parts are complete before submitting, as incomplete applications may not be reviewed. Familiarize yourself with each component before starting to ensure a smooth application session.

- Multiple parts: background data, written responses, references, and video.
- Automatic consideration for the general SSA Activist scholarship upon completion.
- Complete every component before submission to avoid disqualification.
- Review the online application process beforehand.

Personal Statement Prompts
The application asks several focused questions about goals, identity, activism, and challenges; drafting answers in advance is recommended. Prompts request information about educational and life goals, your secular identity and its role in your life, intersecting aspects of identity, past and planned activism, and obstacles or financial hardships. Thoughtful, personal responses that emphasize your lived experience and concrete activities are most effective. Aim for clear, specific examples that connect your identity to your activism and goals.

- Prepare answers to prompts about goals, identity, activism, and barriers.
- Emphasize personal stories and concrete examples of your work.
- Discuss how secularism intersects with other aspects of your identity.
- Explain how the scholarship would address your specific challenges.

Video Requirement
Applicants must submit a 30–60 second video addressing one aspect of their application. Choose a single focus—your secular identity, why separation of church and state matters to you, a highlight of your activism, or another compelling personal point—and speak clearly and authentically. The selection committee looks for a genuine voice and concise storytelling; rehearsal and a brief script are helpful. Keep the video within the time limits and ensure good audio and lighting for clarity.

- 30–60 second video required.
- Focus on one topic from your application (identity, activism, etc.).
- Prioritize authenticity, clarity, and concise storytelling.
- Ensure good audio/visual quality and stay within time limits.

References and Submission
You will be asked to provide contact information for 1–2 references who can speak to your qualifications or activism. Confirm reference availability and preferred contact details before listing them on the form. Submit the completed application by the stated deadline; missing the deadline risks ineligibility. Completing the form automatically enters you for the general SSA Activist scholarship consideration.

- Provide 1–2 reliable references with accurate contact details.
- Confirm permissions from references before submission.
- Submit the full application by the deadline to remain eligible.
- Completing the form yields automatic consideration for the general award.

Use of AI
The selection committee seeks personal stories, achievements, and specific examples that reflect your voice and experience. Using AI to generate your answers tends to produce generic responses that do not differentiate you and may weaken your application. If you use AI as an editing aid, ensure the final content authentically reflects your perspectives and experiences. Prioritize originality and personal detail in every answer.

- Committees prefer authentic, personal narratives over AI-generated text.
- AI-produced responses may appear generic and reduce competitiveness.
- If using AI for editing, verify the final responses are your own voice.
- Highlight unique experiences and concrete accomplishments.

How to Prepare
Draft your written responses to the prompts and rehearse your 30–60 second video before beginning the online form. Gather reference contact information and any documentation of full-time enrollment so you can complete the application efficiently. Proofread all answers, record a clear short video, and confirm that your references know they may be contacted. By preparing these elements in advance you reduce the risk of omissions and improve the quality of your submission.

- Pre-write prompts and rehearse your video to save time during the application.
- Collect reference contacts and enrollment documentation beforehand.
- Proofread responses and confirm reference availability.
- Record a clear, concise video that aligns with your written materials.

Next Steps
Review the SSA’s online application instructions and start when you can dedicate uninterrupted time to the form. Prepare all components—written answers, video, references, and any supporting documentation—before you begin. Submit the application by the posted deadline and monitor your email for any follow-up from the selection committee. Keep copies of everything you submit for your records.

- Review the online instructions before starting the application.
- Assemble all materials ahead of time and submit by the deadline.
- Monitor email for updates or follow-up requests.
- Retain copies of your submission for future reference.