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.
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 August 29 for the following academic school year.
Applications are closed for the 2025-2026 cycle. 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 August 29th 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
2025/2026 Recipients
Benjamin Gnatek
Attended: Michigan State University
Allie Hubenschmidt
Attended: Adrian College
Caleb Paarlberg
Attended: Hope College
2024/2025 Recipients
Peyton Thering
Attended: Grand Valley State University
Tiffany Grayer
Attended: Detroit Mercy Law School
Joseph Rizzardi
Lake State Superior University
2023/2024 Recipients
Chaz Clark
Attended: Ferris State University
Levi DeHollander
Attended: Grand Valley State University
Madi Kozminski
Attended: Michigan State University
Emilia O’Brien
Attended: University of Michigan
Joseph Rizzardi
Attended: Lake State Superior University
Peyton Thering
Attended: Grand Valley State University
Tyler Radze
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.