AU Essay Contest

Scholarship Description

AU’s annual essay contest encourages high school students to reflect on why religious freedom and the separation of religion and government are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is used as a shield that protects, not a sword to harm others.

This year’s contest is focused on an important piece of federal legislation that would ensure religious freedom for all, the Do No Harm Act. AU invites high school juniors and seniors to submit a piece of original writing that responds to the topic and meets the criteria below. 

• Essay length should be between 750 and 1,000 words.
• Writing should be clear, creative, and proofread; demonstrate genuine grappling with the topic; and be the student’s original writing.
• Submissions should make persuasive arguments supported by specific examples and/or properly cited sources where appropriate. (Students may use their preferred citation or footnote style.) Essays can reference personal experiences, current events, legal cases, U.S. history, primary sources, and information from AU.org.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must currently be in high school

Application Requirements

• Essay required

How To Apply