Scholarship Committee

Each year, CREW Chicago awards $5,000 scholarships for female graduate and junior or senior undergraduate students majoring or concentrating in real estate or related real estate fields. Since its inception in 2014, CREW Chicago has awarded $184,000 (as of 2025) in scholarships. 

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

Applicants must be enrolled for the academic year in which the award is being sought. Applications are available starting in April, with a June 30th deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This year, through a generous grant from the Debbie Frank Legacy Fund, CREW Chicago has proudly formed a strategic partnership with The Goldie Initiative to fund one additional Goldie Scholar. Debbie Frank, who passed away in 2020, was a respected and accomplished leader in the Chicago area commercial real estate community, who was passionate about helping women succeed in the field.

The Debbie Frank Legacy Fund/CREW Chicago/Goldie Scholar will be chosen from among the 2025-2026 cohort of Goldie Scholars. This scholar will receive a $7,500 scholarship, a year of membership in CREW Chicago, CREW Network and enrollment in The Goldie Initiative Scholar program. This program includes assignment of an executive mentor, career development training and exclusive networking opportunities

To be considered for the Debbie Frank Legacy Fund Scholarship, applicants must complete the Goldie Initiative Scholarship Application found through the Goldie Initiative website.

Click HERE for the application and additional information.
Note: The CREW Chicago scholarship is independent from the CREW Network Scholarship. Eligible applicants may apply for both.

Congratulations to the Scholarship Winners:

Brigid SofenDebbie Frank Legacy Scholarship, Northwestern University

Corinth JacksonDebbie Frank Legacy Scholarship, DePaul University

Alice PawlusUniversity of Illinois at Chicago

Emily MairUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Kianna NegronUniversity of Illinois at Chicago

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for the CREW Chicago 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 (Note: Only graduate students are eligible for the Debbie Frank Scholarship)

• 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.

• Current Debbie Frank Legacy Fund / CREW Chicago / Goldie Scholars are not eligible for the CREW Scholarship.

  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 essays through the website application, or via email to info@crewchicago.org as an attachment named "Scholarship – CRE Interest - [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 describe your connection to Chicago or your desire to work in Chicago, and 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 essays through the website application, or via email to info@crewchicago.org as an attachment named "Scholarship – Value as a Member - [your name]" or mail to the address below.

  4. 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.

  5. RESUME

  Resume of relevant experience, honors/awards, leadership, involvement, leadership, volunteer work, etc.

  6. 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 invited to attend a recognition event in the fall. In addition, you will be awarded a one year membership with CREW Chicago and CREW Network.

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 is due June 30, 2025. Incomplete applications and documentation will not be considered.

Scholarship awards will be announced in August 2025. Funds will be disbursed to the Bursar/Financial Aid office for the Fall 2025 semester.