scholarships
This year the Vintage Computing Collective of North Texas will award a total of four scholarships. Two $1,500 scholarships and two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students enrolling in any four-year college or university, full-time for the 2025-2026 term. All of these awards are non-renewing, single-term scholarships.
All applicants must be pursuing careers in a STEM-related technology-based field. Applicants may apply for one or more scholarships simply by checking the appropriate boxes for those scholarships they qualify for but will only be awarded one scholarship total. Scholarships will be awarded to one applicant in each of the following four categories:
Paul T. Schrieber Memorial Scholarship
US High School Senior ($1,500 awarded)
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This scholarship is open to graduating High School Seniors across the United States.
Richard Byron Memorial Scholarship
Texas Title 1 High School Senior ($1,500 awarded)
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Applicants must be a current resident of the state of Texas AND be graduating from a state of Texas designated Title 1 school.
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In order to qualify for this award, applicant must also submit a separate statement letter indicating their family household income is less than $50,000/year.
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This scholarship is open to graduating Title 1 High School seniors across the state of Texas.
Jennell Jaquays Memorial Scholarship
Expanding Technology Scholarship ($1,000 awarded)
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STEM-related tech fields have traditionally been male-dominated. In an effort to bring more diversity to these fields, this scholarship will be awarded to the most qualified female applicant.
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Applicants for this scholarship must be female or transitioning and the application must be marked as "female" in the gender category.
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This scholarships is open to graduating High School seniors across the United States.
Tanner Electronics Memorial Scholarship
College Undergraduate in Tech ($1,000 awarded)
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This scholarship is for applicants already in college who are working towards a STEM-related tech degree.
- This scholarship is open to college undergraduates across the United States.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for any of these scholarships, applicants must meet or exceed the following requirements:
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High School Senior scheduled to graduate in the Spring of 2025 or a Tanner Electronics Memorial Scholarship applicant continuing their education in the Fall of 2025.
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GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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One letter of recommendation from a teacher in their graduating high school or college.
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This letter should highlight any skills or experiences related to tech-related topics such as technology, programming, or design the instructor may have first-hand knowledge of.
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The recommendation letter might also make mention of any qualities the instructor has observed in the applicant that might lead him or her believe the applicant has an extraordinary chance at achieving their goals.
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One letter of recommendation from an unrelated community member who can attest to the applicant’s community involvement.
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This letter should cite specific instances where the applicant has volunteered his or her time to the benefit of any local, civic, non-profit, or church communities.
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To avoid any questions of impropriety, as the Vintage Computing Collective of North Texas runs the VCF Southwest event, volunteering at Vintage Computer Festival events (VCF East, Midwest, Southwest, West, SoCal, etc.) will not be considered towards these scholarships.
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Applicant to submit an essay (500 word minimum) explaining his or her academic and professional goals and how the scholarship will help to achieve them.
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The applicant should cite his or her intended major, career choice, and any extracurricular activities or hobbies they are or were involved in that might support the interest in their career path.
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Briefly discuss reasons why you might stand-out from the other applicants. Feel free to include information on past academic successes, or challenges that were overcome as a way of showcasing your strengths and determination.
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If there is a specific financial hardship the applicant has to overcome, it should be mentioned here.
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A natural-born or naturalized US citizen or permanent resident with valid US SSN.
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Proof of residency such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID -OR- a valid High School or College ID, noting that a Texas-based Title 1 High School ID is required for the Richard Byron Memorial Scholarship.
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Applicant to submit a completed application along with all required documentation.
NOTE: The scholarship money will be paid directly to the educational institution specifically for tuition and/or class fees. It cannot be used for housing, meals or other expenses without prior authorization from the Vintage Computing Collective of North Texas board of directors. Only in very special cases will the money be authorized for purposes other than tuition and/or class fees. If the student withdraws, the scholarship funds must be returned to the Vintage Computing Collective of North Texas. Only one scholarship per applicant.