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Fostering greater knowledge and professionalism among REALTORS®

The Education Foundation was created in 2003 with a major contribution from the New York State Association of REALTORS®. The aim is to foster greater knowledge and professionalism among REALTORS® by providing scholarships for high-level, national designation courses, thereby enhancing the public’s real estate transaction experience.

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  1. January 2026 Jan 26, 2026
  2. September 2025 Sep 05, 2025
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REALTOR® Scholarships

Who can apply? Any REALTOR® actively engaged in real estate, who holds primary REALTOR® membership in New York State and who has been licensed in New York State for at least one full year is, eligible to apply. This includes salespersons, associate brokers, brokers, and appraisers. You must have at least three closed transactions in the past year and exhibit an interest in furthering your career in real estate.

What can I apply for? Eligible REALTORS® may apply for any REALTOR-family national designation or certification course. These include ABR, AHWD, CIPS, ePRO, GREEN, GRI, HFR, MRP, PSA, RENE, RSPS, SFR, SRES, and SRS courses, among others. REALTORS® approved to teach real estate CE programs may apply for an Instructor Training Institute (ITI) scholarship covering half of the tuition, when recommended by their local board.

When will I find out if I will receive a scholarship? Award announcements are made twice annually by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Recipients are notified in mid-February for applications submitted by December 31; recipients are notified in mid-October for applications submitted by July 31.

How do I apply? An online application must be submitted, along with a letter from the applicant, a signed letter of recommendation from your broker or office manager that MUST verify your number of sales transactions from 12 months prior and one additional signed letter of recommendation. If the applicant is a broker, two professional signed recommendations are required. Signed recommendations cannot be dated more than 3 months prior to the application deadline.

Open scholarship application and instructions

View the course calendar

Giving Opportunities

If your success depends on the vitality of the real estate market or the livelihood of real estate professionals, we urge you to help nurture that vibrancy. By contributing to the Education Foundation’s Scholarship Fund, you give back to the industry that has enriched your career.

With your generous support, the Foundation can continue to ensure the solid future of the real estate profession.

Who can contribute? REALTORS®, educational institutions, REALTOR® associations, real estate industry affiliates and vendors, lenders, attorneys, accountants, appraisers, inspectors, insurance brokers, etc. – anyone wishing to help heighten professionalism in the real estate industry.

Is my donation tax-deductible? The Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization so your contribution is tax-deductible. (Contributors are advised to consult legal and/or tax counsel.)

Why should I donate? By donating, not only is your charitable contribution tax deductible, but you gain opportunities to enhance your exposure in the industry, be recognized by your peers, or simply earn the satisfaction of paying your own success forward.

If I contribute, how am I recognized? Donors are acknowledged in various ways, depending on the size of their donation.

Can I make a contribution in memory of or in honor of someone? Yes, just download the donation form, complete and mail it in with your payment.

How can I contribute? REALTOR® members click here to donate online. All others download a donor form.

Real Results

Jennifer M. Baker, ABR, GRI, e-PRO

e-PRO Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
RealtyUSA.com-Corning Market

During my 10 plus years working in real estate, I have been granted education scholarships by Education Foundation. Through this wonderful program, which provides tuition for courses that carry continuing education credit and lead to a national designation, I have achieved my ABR, GRI, and e-Pro! This is a valuable benefit that every REALTOR® should take advantage of.

Education is very important to any REALTOR® who wishes to enhance their career and also to stay on top. Laws, rules and new designations are created and change every second, so it is very important that all REALTORS® stay educated. This is a great benefit, perk and honor to take advantage of. I encourage all REALTORS® to take the time to fill out the application and submit it.

About the Foundation

The Education Foundation was created in 2003 with a major contribution from the New York State Association of REALTORS®. The aim is to foster greater knowledge and professionalism among REALTORS® by providing scholarships for high-level, national designation courses, thereby enhancing the public’s real estate transaction experience.

Since inception, the Education Foundation has awarded 1800 scholarships to REALTORS® totaling more than $481,000.

The Education Foundation is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors who assure that donations are used for educational purposes and operational costs are kept to a bare minimum.

Board of Directors

2026 Officers:

  1. miriam treger, President
  2. Lori Adams, Vice President
  3. Moses Seuram, Secretary/Treasurer
  4. Susan Sommers, Immediate Past President

2026 Directors:

  1. Duncan Mackenzie, NYSAR CEO
  2. Open, Adirondack Region
  3. Kimberly Corbitt, Capital Region
  4. Natalie Martin, Central Region
  5. Andrew Kachaylo , Genesee Region
  6. Cheryl Williams, Lower Hudson Region
  7. Anne Marie Pallister, Metro Region
  8. Joseph Gehl, Southern Tier
  9. Kelly Patrone, Western Region
  10. Penne Vincent, At-Large
  11. Patricia Stein, At-Large

Donors

2025 Donors

Trustee ($10,000 minimum)

  1. NYSAR

Chancellors ($5,000 minimum)

  1. Long Island Board of REALTORS®

Deans ($2,500 minimum)

  1. Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS®

Fellows ($1,000 minimum)

  1. Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS®
  2. Adirondack Champlain Valley Board of REALTORS®

Scholars ($500 minimum)

  1. Elmira-Corning Regional Board of REALTORS®
  2. Columbia-Greene Board of REALTORS®

Real Results

Ayres Dcunha, SRES, MRP, ABR, CIPS, GRI

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Keller Williams Realty

It was great to find out that NYSAR offers scholarships toward education. I immediately took advantage of the opportunity. So far, I have received scholarships for six classes and now am close to earning my GRI designation!

All the GRI courses were great, but the ones that stood out for me were Buyers, Sellers and Ethics. They got me into a routine and the reference guides already are and will continue to be good for the future.

I did pass on the information about the scholarship program to my colleagues at work and to my team leader who alerts the office when the application deadlines are approaching. The process for applying is the simplest one that I have experienced.

I hope more REALTORS® in the future take advantage of this program. Knowledge and training are key elements for growth in any industry.

Contact Us

Shylah Addante, Staff Liaison

New York State Real Estate Education Foundation
130 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
PH: 518.463.0300
FX: 518.462.5474
Email: [email protected]