The Progress Mary Székely Scholarship 2026

Progress is the trusted provider of AI-powered digital experiences and infrastructure software that empowers organizations to achieve transformational success in the face of disruptive change. Our software enables our customers to develop, deploy and manage responsible AI-powered applications and personalized digital experiences with agility and ease. We work hard every day to positively impact our people, our global community and our planet. These three pillars form the foundation of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Progress for Tomorrow.

We created the Progress Mary Székely Scholarship to commemorate Mary Székely (pronounced: “See-kay”), who served as the company’s cofounder and lead technologist for more than 30 years. Mary was instrumental in Progress becoming known as the trusted provider of infrastructure software products—which we continue to this day. Her love for math and science was enormously influential on our industry. Mary passed away in June 2019 and left an indelible mark on those who had the opportunity to work with her.

The scholarship is a $10,000 four-year renewable scholarship for a student in Massachusetts.

This application requires:

• Essay (500-100 words)

• High School Transcript Upload

• Letter of Recommendation*

• Resume 

• FAFSA Submission Summary 

• Financial Aid Award Letter from Top-Choice College (If applicable)

*Make sure you give the person you are asking to submit a letter of recommendation ample time to complete their recommendation prior to the application deadline. Instructions are included in the application.

The recipient of the Progress Mary Székely Scholarship must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a resident of Massachusetts and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident eligible for federal financial aid

• Plan to major in computer science, software engineering, IT and/or computer information systems

• Have a financial need

• Be a high school senior OR high school graduate who plans to enroll OR is currently enrolled in an accredited university, college, community college or trade school

  • Preference will be given to students staying in MA for their undergraduate education, but it is not a requirement.

• Have a cumulative high school unweighted GPA above 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

• Have a desire to make meaningful contributions in the fields of computer science, software engineering, IT and/or computer information systems

Exclusions

• Progress employees, board members and their families are not eligible

• Students in graduate school are not eligible

For the purpose of this scholarship, STEM is defined as computer science, software engineering, IT and/or computer information systems

Scholarship recipient will be chosen on the basis of academic achievement; financial need; interest and experience in computer science, software engineering, IT and/or computer information systems; and personal attributes that exemplify Mary Székely’s qualities, including, but not limited to, a strong work ethic, high personal integrity, and a passion for learning. Each recipient must have the desire to become what Mary Székely was: a leader, mentor and innovator.