Florida Realtors: Get $1,000 or more for college

Do you have kids currently in college, or maybe one who is about to graduate high school? Maybe one of your clients has a college student interested in a possible real estate-related career?

The Student Scholarship Program offered through Florida Realtors Education Foundation Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that provides real estate-related educational scholarships, offers money to offset the cost of a college education, but the application deadline ends at noon on March 4, 2015.

“2015 marks the sixth year for our Student Scholarship Program,” says Tina Harris, chairman of Florida Realtors Education Foundation Inc. “These scholarships are one way that Realtors across the state give back to the community. We are proud to be able to provide much-needed financial support to young people struggling to realize their dreams for college and the future.”

Since its inception, the program has helped 421 students achieve their college goals through $824,300 in scholarship funding, Harris says.

This student scholarship program is available to students whose parents are Realtors or are licensed real estate practitioners, or whose parents are employed by any local Realtor board/association or by the Florida Realtors, or any Florida student currently enrolled at a school (including home-schooled students or those attending a charter school.) It is based on an application form, which can be found at https://floridarealtorsfref2015.fluidreview.com/

Who can apply for the new program? Any Florida high school senior who will be attending an undergraduate college or university; any student currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or university (any major); or any student pursuing a graduate degree is eligible. There are no limitations on the location of the college or university attended, provided the applicant indicates that he or she intends to return to work in Florida after graduation. Proof of the student’s legal Florida residency is required, however.

Scholarships start at $1,000. The number of scholarships and dollar amounts awarded may vary each year and are determined by the Education Foundation's Board of Directors. Criteria to be considered include, but aren't limited to: academic achievements, financial need, relationship to the Realtor family, and an individual's contributions to family, school and community. The Foundation's Board of Directors has “sole and absolute discretion” over all decisions as to whether an applicant qualifies.