What is a scholarship? By all the collective definitions it is an award of financial funds for a student to further their education. It is awarded based upon various criteria that reflects the values, purposes, and criteria of the donor or founder of the award.
Simply put, the Columbus REALTORS® Scholarship Committee seeks to foster the development of future industry leaders.
Sara Walsh, our 2018 Columbus REALTORS® President, has given her leadership team a fantastic mission this year to "Raise the bar!" And the 2018 Scholarship Committee members are already busy at work answering the call.
Comprised of 23 dedicated real estate professionals from various brokerages (both residential and commercial) and industries, large and small; each giving hours of their time, reviewing applications and sharing past experiences to fully engage in the selection of awardees each year.
Happily, several past scholarship recipients are current members of the committee and each member is focused on our common committee goals of sharing collaborative input to continually strengthen and improve the selection process and program.
Members are highly attuned to the fact that scholarship funding comes from generous Foundation donors and partnering organizations. As the industry is notorious for a high-rate of license returns within the first two years of licensure, the committee is dedicated to the stewardship of these funds, aiming to identify those whose realistic goals best ensure their chance of success in the industry.
It is why the group is happy to share that of the 84 awards given from 2011-2017 (spring), 70 percent of awardees have maintained active membership.
Most importantly, of these active members, 75 percent have served/currently participate on a committee, are members of area associations, or have received a Columbus REALTORS® sales award.
Not just for pre-licensing, the program also invests in the future of current REALTORS® studying for their broker’s license, and members seeking advance degrees in real estate related areas.
In addition to continuing the success of the program, this year’s goals include: Updating application requirements to include a business plan to help applicants focus more specifically on their path and to ensure they know what it takes to get started. Increasing awareness through specific outreach actions to the membership sharing the opportunities available for those seeking to become licensed or those desiring to continue their education. Creating an instruction packet on how brokers, groups, or individual members can easily start their own scholarship (administered by the Foundation). Implement set of actions to encourage new scholarship recipients to volunteer and participate at Columbus REALTORS®; and to track results. Host the first scholarship reception for recipients with Association leadership in attendance, to both welcome and inform recipients of Columbus REALTORS® opportunities and services. Provide ongoing management and efficiency of scholarship funds.
In addition to Columbus REALTORS® Foundation funding, we thank the following scholarship partners who provide funding for their own awards annually: Keller Williams Greater Columbus Cares, Columbus REALTORS® Young Professionals Network, Women’s Council of REALTORS® - Columbus, and the John G. & Linda Hondros of Hondros College of Business.
The group is also excited to begin offering even more awards in 2018, thanks to our newest scholarship opportunities funded by Columbus REALTORS® Past Presidents, Independent Broker’s Association, and the endowed Salts Memorial Scholarship.
Calling on all brokers and leadership to provide these opportunities to those individuals that you would like to see our collective funds invested in!
In addition, we encourage you to consider starting your own tax-deductible scholarship. ContactIda Seitter, Director of Development, at Columbus REALTORS® to learn more (614) 475-4000.
Together we can all participate in the future of our profession and keep raising the bar!
