Florida Realtors® Education Foundation Awards $263,000 in Scholarships

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May 24, 2011, 10:35 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hearing "the check is in the mail," is welcome news for 113 well-deserving young people who live in communities across Florida. Why? It's because the announcement means that these students — high school graduates about to enter their first year of college and others already enrolled in a college, or university — recently were notified they are recipients of scholarships through the Florida Realtors® Education Foundation Inc.

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A not-for-profit corporation established by the state Realtor association, the Florida Realtors® Education Foundation Inc. provides real estate-related educational scholarships and grants. The Foundation's Board of Directors awarded $263,000 in scholarships to help pay for higher education expenses for these students in the 2011-2012 school year. All recipients are Florida residents and will be attending community colleges, four-year universities, graduate programs or law schools. Many students said they hope to pursue careers in real estate.

"In the best of times, education is a big-ticket item," said Patti Ketcham, 2011 chair of the Florida Realtors Education Foundation Inc. "In tough times like these, the education of our young people is even more critical – and even more students face financial challenges in realizing their dreams of college. Each and every Realtor in Florida is an integral part of the Education Foundation, and their contributions make it possible for these scholarships to be awarded.

"Years from now, when the people who have benefited from these Florida Realtors scholarships are starting a business or beginning their careers, I believe they'll think back on us fondly," she said. "These students will have a more personal understanding of Realtors and the real estate profession."

Ketcham spent a recent Sunday calling several scholarship recipients to announce the good news.

"When I look back on my life, that Sunday I spent calling students and making these scholarships announcements will stand out," she said. "It's one of the most remarkable things I've ever done."

Florida Realtors Education Foundation scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $3,000. Scholarship recipients are enrolled at institutions of higher learning throughout the state, such as Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, University of South Florida and the University of West Florida, as well as other colleges. A variety of criteria was considered for successful applicants including: academic achievements, financial need, relationship to the Realtor family, and contributions to family, school and community.

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 64 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors