2024 Rules and Guidelines (Updated 7/17/2024)
Spreadsheets are one of the many powerful tools that can help a person be more productive and more successful in life and in their career. To reward a few proactive students for learning important skills early in their education, Vertex42.com is awarding four $500 scholarships annually. Finalists for the awards will be applicants who can demonstrate their enthusiasm for spreadsheets and share experiences and ideas for how spreadsheets can be used effectively in education and in their future careers.
2024 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations to Benjamin, Prem, and Conner
2023 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations to Samantha, Nate, Chelsea and P. Shah
2022 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations to Alex, Muluken, Prem, and Nathan
2021 Scholarship Winners: [no applicants]
2020 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations to Spencer, Vennela, Thoren, and Layla
2019 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations to Daniel, Lenna, Jonathan, and Alison
2018 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations to Angel, Nolan, Kierra, and Rebekah!
2017 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations to Maria Keric, Kevin Elkin, Mahmoud Soliman, and Aniket Suri!
Scholarship Summary
Award Name: Vertex42 Spreadsheets in Education Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $500
Number of Scholarships Awarded: Up to 4 scholarships awarded annually
Application Deadline: [Application period closed for 2024]
Allowed Uses: Tuition, books, or other educational expenses
Application Process: Download the following application. Email your completed application to scholarships [at] vertex42.com with the subject "2024 Application."
Download the Application (ApplicationForm.xlsx)
Yes, the application form is a spreadsheet. :-)
2025 Scholarship: Applications for the 2025 scholarships may be received starting Jan 15, 2025 with a deadline of May 15, 2025.
Eligibility Requirements
This scholarship is for a student working on an undergraduate degree at a college or university. The applicant must be:
- Living in the United States
- Currently enrolled as a student in high school or an undergraduate program at a college or university.
- Planning to enroll or continue enrollment as a student in an undergraduate degree program within the coming school year.
To verify eligibility, we will contact the teacher or school administrator listed in the winners' applications, so make sure to include valid contact information for a teacher or administration official who can vouch for your status as a student.
There can be only one winner per school. Vertex42 employees and subcontractors and their immediate family members are not eligible.
Applicants not meeting all eligibility criteria will not be considered.
Award Use and Payment Process
The scholarship may be applied to tuition, books, or other educational expenses such as room and board, school supplies, etc.
The awards will be paid directly to the winners by mailing a check.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to report the award appropriately in tax returns and financial aid applications. If you have questions about how or whether to do this, please consult a certified accountant.
Winner Selection Criteria
Employees and owners of Vertex42 will review the applications and select the finalists.
The selection process will be completely subjective, but the following factors will be important:
- Originality (your own writing and experiences). This is by far the most important factor.
- Enthusiasm for spreadsheets.
- Ideas that will help other students (and teachers).
- Examples that demonstrate your use of, enthusiasm for, and experience with spreadsheets.
- Conciseness.
Note: Financial need is assumed by your completing the application. Do not include information about financial status, nationality, ethnicity, religion, etc.
Before final winners are selected, we will notify the finalists via email and provide a release form to be signed by the finalist (or a parent if under the age of 18). The signed form will require the student to verify that the written essay is her/her own original work and give us permission to use the student's name and entry in promotional material (such as being featured on the Vertex42 website). The form will also require the winner to provide a valid mailing address (so that we can mail the award).
Other Stuff You Should Know
Your application may be published in whole or in part on our website. We may prepare a report summarizing the information and ideas that are shared regarding spreadsheets in education. Don't share anything you would consider proprietary or too personal. Winners of scholarships might have their applications published in their entirety, including names.