Build Your Future With The Michigan Realtors® Scholarship Trust
Michigan Realtors® is proud to provide assistance towards the higher education of burgeoning real estate professionals. Ensuring the success of our future members is one of our top priorities. The Michigan Realtors® Scholarship Trust provides scholarships to full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are taking classes that will lead them to a real estate career.
Please mail applications to 720 N. Washington Ave. Lansing, MI 48906 or email to marst@mirealtors.com.
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 May 31 for the following academic school year.
Scholarship Questions:
Michelle Williston
517.334.5566
Email
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
2018/2019 Recipients
Brendan O'Brien
Mr. Brendan O’Brien is a senior Dean’s List student at Michigan State University, expected to graduate with a degree in finance. He has been involved in several student organizations such as the Broad College of Business mentoring program. He was able to get introduced to the world of real estate through his father Patrick O’Brien who is a great mentor as well as a great realtor.
Michael Kelley
Mr. Michael Kelley is a junior at Michigan State University, expecting to graduate with a degree in Finance. Michael’s interest in real estate stemmed from a passion in construction. Michael began work in rehabilitating homes last summer where he gained knowledge and experience of the real estate business. Michael has many family members in the real estate community and looks forward in pursuing a career where he can assist people in making decisions during major milestones of their lives.
Maggie Benjamin
Ms. Maggie Benjamin is a junior at Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, IN. She is enrolled in a five-year dual degree engineering program with the University of Notre Dame and plans to graduate from Saint Mary’s with a BS in chemistry in 2020 and graduate from Notre Dame with a BS in chemical engineering in 2021. She is also double minoring in Spanish and mathematics. She has worked at O’Brien Real Estate in Kalamazoo, MI for three summers and on various breaks during college. This is what sparked her interest in real estate. Maggie plans to get her real state license after graduation and work part time in real estate.
Carl Rasmussen
Mr. Carl Rasmussen is a senior at Michigan State University, expecting to graduate in May with a degree in Media & Information. In February, Carl began working for the Michigan Realtors® as a Communication Intern and assisting in a variety of ways around the office. He plans to continue working with the Michigan Realtors® staff until he graduates next year. Carl also hopes to take time after he graduates to travel the world, helping others by using the skills he has learned working with Realtors®.
2017/2018 Recipients
Dylan Bennett
Hometown: Huntington Woods
Attending: The University of Michigan
Press Release
McKenzie Mathewson
Hometown: Lewiston
Attending: Northern Michigan University
Press Release
Brendan O’Brien
Hometown: Kalamazoo
Attending: Michigan State University
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Daniel O’Brien
Hometown: Kalamazoo
Attending: Michigan State University
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Jacob VanCuren
Hometown: Rockford
Attending: Grand Valley State University
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Group Press Release
Eligibility Requirements
- Awards range from $500 to $3,000 and are distributed over two semesters.
- Must have at least an average grade point of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent of a "C" average.
- Must exemplify character including demonstrated evidence of good citizenship.
- Must be taking courses which are related to the real estate field, such as real estate, business, marketing, finance or law.
- Must be a full-time student and resident in Michigan, entering junior, senior year or post-graduate work at a university or college.
- Must provide a copy of college transcript to date.
- Must complete and submit application by May 31st for the following academic year.
- Applications now closed for 2018/2019
- Completed applications can be Emailed
- To be considered, applications must include (any other documents will be disregarded):
- A copy of college transcript to date
- School administrator recommendation
- A short essay
- An interview with a REALTOR®
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.