Scholarship Committee

Each year, CREW Chicago awards $5,000 scholarships for 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 $195,000 (as of 2023) in scholarships. 

The scholarships are awarded to well-rounded candidates who focus on academics and community service. 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 mid-August, with a November 30th deadline for the ensuing academic year. Scholarship awards will be announced in January 2024 when funds will be disbursed.

This year, CREW Chicago will award one deserving graduate student the Debbie Frank Legacy Fund Scholarship. Debbie Frank who passed away in 2020, was a respected and accomplished leader in the Chicago area Commercial Real Estate community and she was passionate about helping women succeed in the field.
Graduate Students Only: In addition to completing the Application and two essay prompts for the CREW Chicago scholarship, please complete the essay prompt in Step #4. Scholarship funds will be disbursed to the Bursar/Financial Aid Office for the benefit of the Debbie Frank Legacy scholarship recipient after that information is provided by the recipient.

Applicants must be enrolled for the academic year in which the award is being sought. Applications are available starting in mid-August, with a November 30th deadline for the ensuing academic year. Scholarship awards will be announced in January 2024 when funds will be disbursed.

Congratulations to the Scholarship Winners:

Jilly CroninDebbie Frank Scholarship, University of Chicago

Kristen MyersDebbie Frank Legacy Scholarship, Harvard Kennedy School and Wharton

Isabella BeshouriCREW Chicago Scholarship, University of Michigan

Rachael RyanCREW Chicago Scholarship, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Gabriela QuijadaCREW Chicago Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago School of Law

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 ONLY 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 $15,000 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 CREW Chicago address below in the Submission Instructions. 
  Top candidates for this scholarship will be invited for a 30 to 60 minute Zoom interview in January 2024. Scholarship awards will be disbursed to the Bursar/Financial Aid office for the benefit of the Debbie Frank Legacy scholarship recipient in January 2024.

• 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 November 30th.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DONATE TO THE CREW CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP FUND.