Build Your Future: The Michigan Realtors® Scholarship Trust

Michigan Realtors® is proud to offer scholarship opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career as a real estate professional. Attracting and retaining future members is one of our top priorities. The Michigan Realtors® Scholarship Trust provides scholarships to full-time, college students majoring in finance, marketing, business, law, or other such fields of study applicable to a career in real estate.

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If you are a college student seeking a career in the real estate field, you may be eligible to receive up to $3,000 in awards. The application deadline is July 26 for the following academic school year.

Deadline to apply for the 2024-2025 MARST Scholarship Trust is 7.26.24.

Scholarship Questions:

Call: 800.454.7842

 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Awards range from $500 to $3,000.
  • Must complete and submit applications by July 26th for the following academic year.
  • Must be a resident of Michigan and a full-time student entering your junior or senior year at an accredited university or college; post-graduate applicants are also considered.
  • Must have at least an average grade point of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent of a "C" average.
  • Must be taking courses which are related to the real estate field, such as real estate, business, marketing, finance or law.
  • Must provide a copy of current college transcript
  • Must provide a cover letter, resume and personal or professional reference letter
  • Must exemplify character including demonstrated evidence of good citizenship.
  • Must participate in an interview with a REALTOR® to discuss future aspiration and individual interest in the real estate industry. 
    To Find a Realtor® in your area – click here 
    Interview template – PDF link for interview examples

 

2023/2024 Recipients

Chaz Clark
Chaz Clark is a senior at Ferris State University pursuing his bachelor’s degree in marketing. At Ferris State, Chaz is a member of Phi Beta Sigma and has completed various internships during his time there. Chaz has worked in the real estate field as a marketing analyst for the past 18 months. Specifically, Chaz is also an intern with Empowerment and Development Housing Resource Center, where Chaz has developed a significant interest in the real estate industry.



Levi DeHollander
Levi DeHollander is a junior honors student at Grand Valley State University, expecting to graduate with a double major in General Business and Business Economics with a Real Estate concentration. He has already achieved his Level One Assessor's certificate while working part-time in the Assessing Office of Byron Township.



Madi Kozminski
Madisen Kozminski is a junior honors student at Michigan State University, expecting to graduate with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Real Estate in May 2025. At Michigan State she is a member of Women in Business. Madisen is also the Multimedia Specialist for her sorority, Alpha Phi. She currently resides in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Her hopes are to one day pursue a career in marketing for a franchised business and plans to obtain her Michigan real estate license.



Emilia O’Brien
Emilia O’Brien is a graduate student at the University of Michigan, studying Information. Being a third generation licensed real estate agent, Emilia has been around the field of real estate for her entire life. At Michigan, Emilia is a member of Relevé Dance Company, has served as the vice president and president of the Martha Cook Building, and is an 8 term Angell Scholar. Ms. O’Brien plans to continue being involved in real estate and hopes to focus on introducing new technologies to small brokerages in a sustainable way as well as helping to create Realtor® and customer-focused policy solutions.



Joseph Rizzardi
Joseph Rizzardi is a current senior at Lake State Superior University. Joseph is very passionate about pursuing a career in finance and the real estate industry. He has recently completed an internship with the Hantz Group, a prominent financial institution. In Joseph’s free time he enjoys helping his community in any way he can by volunteering at the local food pantry, and fundraisers.



Peyton Thering
Peyton Thering is a student at Grand Valley State University and is expecting to graduate in May of 2025. She is double majoring in business economics with emphasis in real estate, and marketing. She has started her career in real estate as a licensed REALTOR® working at Reiss Real Estate Inc. Peyton has experienced success in the real estate field while also maintaining a high GPA that’s earned her a spot on the dean’s list throughout each semester of school.



Tyler Radze
Tyler Radze is entering his junior year at Michigan State University, expecting to graduate with a double major in Business Management and Theatre. Tyler has maintained high academic performances which have landed him a continuous spot on the Dean's List at MSU. He enjoys performing on stage, traveling and spending time with his family and friends. Beyond the classroom, Tyler is actively involved in networking events, workshops, and internships to gain real-world experience and insights in real estate. Tyler's goal is to leverage his education and experiences to provide exceptional service to clients, guiding them through one of the most important decisions of their lives.



 

 

2022/2023 Recipients

Angelina Baglio 
Attended: Michigan State University

Madison Jaqua 
Attended: University of Michigan

Emilia O’Brien 
Attended: University of Michigan

James Rizzardi 
Attended: Central Michigan University

2021/2022 Recipients

Olivia Gaudreau 
Attended: Grand Valley State University

Hayden Mahakian 
Attended: Central Michigan University

Emilia O’Brien 
Attended: University of Michigan

James Rizzardi 
Attended: Central Michigan University

2020/2021 Recipients

Caleb Bangerter 
Attended: Grand Valley State University

Kevin Conder 
Attended: Michigan State University

Scott Crampton 
Attended University of Michigan – Dearborn

Christian Fairbanks 
Attended: Western Michigan University Cooley School of Law

Karlyn Kelley 
Attended: Michigan State University

Muffideh Samaha 
Attended: Attended University of Michigan – Dearborn

2019/2020 Recipients

Justine Burt 
Attended: University of Michigan

Mac Carron 
Attended: Michigan State University

Christian Fairbanks 
Attended: Western Michigan University Cooley Law School

Jack Vaglia 
Attended: Michigan State University


Make a Donation

The scholarship program continues to grow. Many local associations and individuals have made a commitment. Trustees hope that they can help even more people reach their goals of becoming Realtors® next year. Call 517.372.8890, to make a tax-deductible donation. You can also make a donation in the memory of a family member or friend.


History

Trustees oversee and administer two funds: the Russel A. Pointer Fund and the Barney Harkins Scholarship & Educational Fund.

Russel A. Pointer (1897-1971) served the real estate profession for more than forty years. He was an adviser and counselor to both Michigan Realtors® and the National Association of Realtors® real estate education programs. Pointer served as past president of Michigan Realtors® (1950) and the Saginaw Board of Realtors® (1951). He also served as a NAR director and as executive director of the Real Estate Extension Program at the University of Michigan.
 

The Barney Harkins Fund was established in 1976 through the generosity of Barney Harkins (1893-1986), an active real estate professional in Washtenaw County from 1915 to 1975. He was instrumental in founding the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors® in 1919, served as president five times, served as president of Michigan Realtors® and was one of the first Realtors® to be named “Realtor® Emeritus” by the National Association of Realtors®.

 

The Real Estate Alumni of Michigan (RAM) Scholarship Fund, founded in 1953, developed a scholarship program in 1955 to promote professionalism in the real estate industry. RAM recognizes extensive participation in real estate education courses offered through the MAR and NAR, institutes, societies and councils, colleges and universities.