***The Class of 2025 application is now open Feb. 3 to April 18.  Go to "How to Apply" for details.***

The Austin Scholars Award Program (ASAP) is a committee of Third Unitarian Church. Since 1974, our Austin Scholars Program has awarded over 400 college scholarships to outstanding CPS high school seniors in the Austin community.  We want Austin high school seniors to go to college ASAP! 

Thanks to the Austin Voice and Editor Brad Cummings. See our cover story articles for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Scholars' Sundays. 

Our 2024 Annual Report is now available.

Congratulations, 2024 Scholars!

Barack Obama, JD, 44th President of the United States, in remarks at Pellissippi State Community College in Tennessee on Jan. 9, 2015:

"Education helps us be better people. It helps us be better citizens. You came to college to learn about the world and to engage with new ideas and to discover the things you’re passionate about — and maybe have a little fun. And to expand your horizons. That’s terrific — that’s a huge part of what college has to offer.

"But you’re also here, now more than ever, because a college degree is the surest ticket to the middle class. It is the key to getting a good job that pays a good income — and to provide you the security where even if you don’t have the same job for 30 years, you’re so adaptable and you have a skill set and the capacity to learn new skills, it ensures you’re always employable.

"And that is the key not just for individual Americans, that’s the key for this whole country’s ability to compete in the global economy. In the new economy, jobs and businesses will go wherever the most skilled, best-educated workforce resides… And I want them to look no further than the United States of America."