The Real Estate Investment Society has established two scholarship programs to encourage and support students interested in commercial real estate and related professions. A permanent scholarship fund with Florida Gulf Coast University was established in 1999 with a $10,000 endowment.  In 2006, REIS also established the REIS Scholarship Foundation, a not-for-profit, registered 501(c)3 corporation that provides an opportunity to make charitable donations for college scholarships. REIS provides management of the Foundation, allowing 100% of donations to be awarded as scholarships. Information: Matt Simmons,  239.333-1060, or Lisa Sands, 489-3303 ext. 177, REIS Scholarship Co-chairs,.

Please see below for information regarding:

• The schools participating in the REIS Foundation Scholarship Program
• Eligibility criteria of the REIS Foundation Scholarship program
• Application Information
• How to Contribute to the REIS Foundation Scholarship Program
• Past REIS Scholarship Foundation Awardees
• Past FGCU Scholarship Awardees

REIS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

The REIS Scholarship Foundation, a not-for-profit, registered 501(c)3 corporation provides an opportunity to make charitable donations for college scholarships. REIS provides management of the Foundation, allowing 100% of donations to be awarded as scholarships.

Schools
  Five institutions or higher learning are participating in the REIS Foundation scholarship program:

• Florida Gulf Coast University (www.fgcu.edu)
• Edison State College (www.edison.edu)
• Hodges University (www.hodges.edu)
• Southwest Florida College (www.swfc.edu)
• Ave Maria University (www.avemaria.edu)

Criteria
All four will apply the following criteria to evaluate eligible candidates for scholarship awards:

1. The purpose is to provide scholarship funds for students attending the participating institutions who have an interest in a career associated with the real estate industry. Areas of study can include landscaping; engineering; real estate; appraisal; legal; accounting; development; insurance; etc.
    
2. Limit of $2,500 to be awarded to any student during a specific calendar year. A student may receive a scholarship award of up to $2,500 for four consecutive years. Funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the scholarship recipient, not to the individual.
    
3. Minimum grade point average shall be 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
    
4. Financial need shall be considered.
    
5. Recommendations from faculty members will also be considered, but are not required.
    
6. Preferential consideration shall be given to local and regional residents.
    
7. A recipient will attend one of the Real Estate Investment Society's (REIS) monthly meetings (at no cost) for the purpose of recognition and meeting the organization's members.
    
8. A candidate must submit a one-page essay with their application outlining why he/she should be considered for a scholarship of this nature and how it would benefit him/her.
    
9. Scholarship awards are intended for tuition and course books and materials.
    
10. The recipient will become an honorary member of the Real Estate Investment Society (REIS) during the scholarship period and be eligible to attend any and all monthly meetings and functions (at no cost) on the same basis as any dues paying member.

Applying for Scholarships
Information on applying for REIS Foundation scholarships is available from:

Florida Gulf Coast University
Karie Seilberger
(239) 590-1060

Edison State College
Reba Singleton
(239) 48904-9347

Hodges University
Marcia Brooks
(239) 482-0019

Southwest Florida College
Crystal Wheeler
(239) 939-4766

Ave Maria University
Stephanie Negip
(239) 280-1669

Contributing to the Scholarship Fund
Make checks payable to:

REIS Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
c/o Matt Simmons
P.O. Box 9247
Fort Myers, Florida 33902-9247

For additional information, contact Matt Simmons, (239) 333-1060 or Lisa Sands, (239) 489-3303 ext. 177.

Past Awardees of REIS Foundation Scholarships

Please see the table below for past awardees of the REIS Foundation Scholarships:

 
PAUL SANDS MEMORIAL - REIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Real Estate Investment Society has established a permanent, endowed scholarship fund with Florida Gulf Coast University to encourage and support students interested in commercial real estate. The fund was established in 1999 with a $10,000 endowment.  In 2011 it was named the Paul Sands Memorial - REIS Scholarship in memory of REIS member and governor Paul Sands.  A portion of proceeds from the annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog invitational golf tournament are added to the scholarship fund each year.

Applying for Scholarships
Information on applying for REIS FGCU scholarships is available from:

Florida Gulf Coast University
Carolyn Greene
(239) 590-1060

Please see the table below for past awardees of the FGCU Scholarships through REIS: