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 31 for the following academic school year.
Scholarship application now closed. Thank you for applying!
Scholarship Questions:
Call: 800.454.7842
Eligibility Requirements
- Awards range from $500 to $3,000.
- Must complete and submit applications by July 31st 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
2022/2023 Recipients
Angelina Baglio
Angelina is a senior honors student at Michigan State University, expecting to graduate with a degree in Hospitality Business in May 2023. She is currently completing her events internship with Michigan Realtors® and is looking forward to attending her first annual Michigan Realtors® The Convention! She strives to be involved outside of the classroom and is President of the MSU Meeting and Events club.
Madison Jaqua
Madison Jaqua is a weekend MBA student at the University of Michigan, expected to graduate in April 2023. She is a successful licensed associate broker, with over 3 years of real estate experience. As a third-generation broker, Ms. Jaqua looks forward to continuing to learn all aspects of the industry and utilizing her expertise to assist in the growth of the family business.
Emilia O'brien
Emilia O’Brien is a senior at the University of Michigan, studying Information with a minor in Public Policy. 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 the Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity, Relevé Dance Company, and has served as the president of the Martha Cook Building. 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.
James Rizzardi
James is currently a senior at Central Michigan University, expecting to graduate with a degree in both Finance and Personal Financial Planning. So far, he has been able to maintain high academic performances which have landed me a continuous spot on the Dean's List here at Central. James has joined both the Finance Club and the Future Financial Advisors Association on campus. These clubs help to expand his knowledge and to hear from professionals in the finance field. His hopes are to one day pursue a career in the redevelopment and financing of commercial and residential properties. Other than James education, some of his hobbies include swimming, boating, skiing, and hanging out with friends.
Group Press Release
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.