Michigan Realtors

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 July 31 for the following academic school year. 

2021/2022 Applications Closed.

Scholarship Questions:

Call: 800.454.7842

Eligibility Requirements

• Awards range from $500 to $3,000 and are distributed over two semesters.
• 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

What Past Recipients Are Saying

MARST has helped me reach my academic goals by allowing me to attend Michigan State University. I was able to take the classes I needed in order to be successful. I am currently working for the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, where I work on strategic communications. Our mission is to improve children’s health and wellbeing by eliminating harmful housing conditions. MARST has helped me get where I am today and I am proud of where I am today.
- Abby Rogalke, 2015-2016 recipient

The scholarship allowed me to complete my degree quickly while maintaining a full-time job. No one can take your education away from you. This led me to a very fulfilling career in the real estate industry serving as the Communications & Marketing Director for the Michigan Realtors® since 2008.
- Joe Kras, 2007-2008 recipient

2021/2022 Recipients

Olivia Gaudreau
Olivia Gaudreau is a third-year honors student at Grand Valley State University pursuing a B.B.A. in Marketing. She is expected to graduate in December of 2022, after which she plans to obtain her real estate license. She is already familiar with the real estate word as a Marketing Intern at Chicago Title of Michigan, where their primary marketing customers are local real estate agents. Olivia is the current Vice President of Professional Activities for GVSU’s chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, an internationally recognized professional business fraternity, and co-treasurer of Momentum, a student-run dance organization. Olivia looks forward to following in her mom’s footsteps as a residential real estate agent serving the West Michigan area.

Press Release

Hayden Mahakian
Hayden Mahakian is a Junior Honors student at Central Michigan University, and he is expecting to graduate with degrees in Mathematics, Statistics, and Actuarial Science in May of 2023. He worked an internship in the summer of 2021 under a project manager for Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Hayden is a member of the Central Michigan University’s GIS NU Chapter for Actuarial Studies and plans on continuing to study real estate.

Press Release

Emilia O’Brien
Emilia O’Brien currently attends the University of Michigan, studying Information with a minor in Public Policy. Being a third generation licensed real estate agent, Ms. O’Brien has been around the field of real estate for her entire life. 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.

Press Release

James Rizzardi
James Rizzardi is currently a junior attending Central Michigan University, expecting to graduate with a degree in both Finance and Real Estate Developing & Finance. So far, he has been able to maintain high academic performances which has landed him a continuous spot on the Deans' List at Central. James hopes to one day pursue a career in the redevelopment and financing of commercial and residential properties. Aside from education, James’s hobbies include swimming, boating, skiing, and hanging out with friends.

Press Release

Group Press Release

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

2018/2019 Recipients

Brendan O'Brien 
Hometown: Kalamazoo
Attended: Michigan State University

Michael Kelley 
Hometown: Kalamazoo
Attended: Michigan State University

Maggie Benjamin 
Hometown: Kalamazoo
Attended: Saint Mary’s College/Notre Dame

Carl Rasmussen 
Hometown: Traverse City
Attended: Michigan State University