CREW Chicago Scholarship

 

Since 2014, CREW Chicago annually awards scholarships for graduate and junior or senior undergraduate students majoring or concentrating in real estate or related real estate fields. CREW Chicago has awarded $94,000 scholarships through 2021.

The scholarships are awarded to well-rounded candidates, with a focus on academics and community service, and are intended to help qualified students pursue an education that will lead them into productive careers in Chicagoland’s commercial real estate community, with active participation in CREW Chicago.

In addition, CREW Chicago is honored, this year, by the opportunity to award one deserving graduate student the Debbie Frank Legacy Fund Scholarship, in the amount of $25,000. Debbie Frank, who passed away in 2020, was a force of nature, a beacon of light, and a respected and accomplished leader in the Chicago area Commercial Real Estate community. She was passionate about helping women succeed in the industry. The application process will coincide with CREW Chicago’s October 31st Scholarship deadline.


Applicants must be enrolled for the academic year in which the award is being sought. Applications are available starting in mid-August, with an October 31st deadline for the ensuing academic year.

CREW Chicago Scholarship Programs Video




Congratulations to the Scholarship Winners:

  • Hope Swantko, Law student at Notre Dame Law School
  • Michelle Kilgallon, MBA student, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
  • Megan Bronstein, CPA, AVP Accounting, Redwood Capital Group and MBA student, Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management
  • Lily Johnston, Architecture student, University of Illinois


ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for this scholarship, an applicant must:

  • Be a female citizen of the United States
  • Be of legal age in the state in which the applicant resides
  • Be a junior, senior or graduate student at a college or university
  • Complete all of the items listed below which are required before any applicant will be considered for the scholarship. Failure to turn in any of the required materials without explanation will be grounds for automatic denial of the application.
  • 1. APPLICATION FORM
  • Use the link above to complete the form.
  • 2. CRE INTEREST/CAREER OBJECTIVES (<1,000 words)
  • Tell us about your interest in commercial real estate and your career objectives. Please include why you believe your interest and objectives make you uniquely qualified for the CREW Chicago Scholarship. Submit via email to info@crewchicago.org as an attachment named "Scholarship - Interests/Objectives - [your name]" or mail to the address below.
  • 3. VALUE AS MEMBER OF CREW CHICAGO (<500 words)
  • The successful applicant for this scholarship will be awarded a student membership at CREW Chicago. Please identify your experiences, skills, and personal attributes that you believe will bring value to the Chicago Chapter of CREW and guarantee a successful membership for both parties. Submit via email to info@crewchicago.org as an attachment named "Scholarship - Value to CREW - [your name]" or mail to the address below.
  • 4. GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE DEBBIE FRANK LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP (<1,000 words)
  • In addition to completing the CREW Chicago Scholarship application requirements, the successful candidate will be awarded a $25,000 one-time payment for tuition and books.
    Please address the following prompt in your essay:  As a candidate for the Debbie Frank Legacy Scholarship, how do you, or how have you, inspired others? What inspires you?
    Submit via email to info@crewchicago.org as an attachment names: Debbie Frank Legacy Scholarship – [your name]” or mail to the address below.
    Top candidates for this scholarship will be invited for a 30 to 60 minute Zoom interview which will be scheduled between November 10th and November 30, 2022.
  • 5. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
  • Official copies of all transcripts of all your collegiate records (certified by the Registrar or other responsible official) of the courses you have taken. Submit via mail to the address below, or they may be emailed from the university/college to info@crewchicago.org
  • 6. RESUME
  • Resume of relevant experience. Submit via email to info@crewchicago.org as an attachment named "Scholarship - Resume - [your name]" or mail to the address below.
  • 7. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (2)
  • Two letters of recommendation submitted in envelopes marked “Confidential” and sealed by the reference with his/her signature over the seal. References should indicate how they know the applicant and why the applicant should be considered for this award. Both letters should be from professors or employers who know the applicant’s work. Submit via mail to the address below or the person writing the letter can email it to Info@crewchicago.org
  •  

If awarded a scholarship you will be required to attend a recognition event. In addition, you will be requested to attend and participate in CREW meetings.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
All items must be submitted as instructed above. Emailed items should be sent to info@crewchicago.org as attachments with file names as described above. Mailed items should be addressed to:

  • CREW Chicago
  • Attn: Laura Van Alstine
  • 1201 Wakarusa Drive, Suite D
  • Lawrence, KS 66049


DEADLINE
Completed applications and all requested additional documentation MUST BE RECEIVED by October 31st.
Applications are closed.


Donate to the CREW Chicago Scholarship Fund

 

Chair(s)

Director, Fifth Third Bank
Senior Project Manager, Project Management Advisors, Inc.

Committee Members

Partner / Attorney, Gould & Ratner LLP
Director, JLL
Managing Principal & Board Chair, Golub & Company
Director | Architect | AIA, Eastlake Studio
US Transactions Counsel, LaSalle Investment Management Inc.
Senior Vice President, Fifth Third Bank
Assurance Manager, Plante Moran

Board Liaison

Managing Director & Head of Asset Management, EQT Exeter, US Multifamily