HCAR Emerging Achiever Scholarship

Providing financial assistance to individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities who aspire to become REALTORS® or are new to the industry.

Our goal at the Howard County Association of REALTORS® (HCAR) is to help create a more inclusive environment for our REALTORS®. Nationally, we know that institutional and systemic challenges have impacted the real estate industry’s ability to expedite the positive effects of representation for underserved and underrepresented communities to successfully obtain homeownership. We’ve seen the direct effects of this through redlining, Jim Crow laws, restrictive covenants, predatory lending, and other notable measures taken to significantly reduce, or prevent completely, the ability of underserved and underrepresented community members to participate in the homeownership process.

HCAR is committed to providing the tools needed to become agents of change! The term Diversity (as it applies to the scholarship) is the intentional creation and cultivation of safe spaces that amplify, celebrate, and embrace the unique makeup of every individual, no matter their ethnic background, their sexual orientation, their body type, their disability, or their economic status. Together, we have the opportunity to demonstrate HCAR’s commitment to member success, inclusion, and accessibility to resources for our REALTORS®. We know that one of the major barriers to entry into the real estate industry is the upfront financial commitment. In realizing this, one of the measures we believe that we can implement to incentivize more inclusive engagement in the real estate community is to provide a scholarship to members of underserved and underrepresented communities that will cover many, if not all, of the upfront costs associated with becoming a real estate agent, so long as the recipient has made the initial investment of obtaining their Maryland real estate license.

The ideal candidate would be a new licensee who has not had a license for more than six months and who is aspiring to become a full-time REALTOR® or is a current HCAR member who has been a member for no more than 1 year. The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to becoming a successful REALTOR®. The candidate must also submit a minimum 500-word Statement of Financial Need that explains their financial situation and tells the review committee why they will benefit from monetary support.

The program is intended to provide need-based startup assistance to candidates who are new to the real estate industry.

Apply Here

The details of the scholarship are below:

ELIGIBILITY:

The HCAR Emerging Achiever Scholarship Award offers 1 recipient per year the opportunity for coverage for one year of REALTOR® association dues and some related fees as well as the chance to attend specified HCAR events at no charge.

Must be over the age of 18.
Must have successfully passed the 60 Hour Pre-Licensing Course and Exam.
Must be a new or existing HCAR member for no more than 1 year - who demonstrates a financial need and requires assistance with the coming year’s dues and fees.
Must submit an application and Statement of Financial Need prior to the specified deadline and be interviewed by the DEI Scholarship Interview Panel.
Must provide a letter of recommendation from a sponsoring broker mentor.
Must complete the NAR Fairhaven Simulation within 6 months of receiving the scholarship and submit proof of completion to the association.
Must submit the HCAR DEI Pledge within one year of receiving the scholarship.
Must become C2EX endorsed within one year of receiving the scholarship and submit proof of completion to the association.

The total value of the program for each award recipient is up to $2,500 and includes the following benefits:

One year of Bright MLS fees
One year of HCAR dues
One year of Maryland REALTORS® dues
One year of NAR dues
One year of Sentrilock fees
All benefits and discounts associated with being a member of HCAR
Continuing education – Free for all HCAR members
A free ticket to the Annual Conference and Expo
A free ticket to the Installation & Awards
Funds to earn At Home With Diversity Certification

Regarding receipt of funds, the chosen recipient will receive a check to cover the cost of Bright MLS and Sentrilock fees for one year. All additional benefits will be internally waived by the association. Failure to complete the required Fairhaven simulation, DEI Pledge, and C2EX endorsement may result in the revocation of dues waivers.

Application and Award Schedule:

The HCAR Emerging Achiever Scholarship Award application and award schedule will align with the HCAR fiscal year calendar so that the process will take place with the current leadership for the year and will be announced at the year-end’s Installation and Awards event.

July 31 – August 31: Applications open
September 1 – September 15: HCAR Collection and Review Process
September 15 – October 6: Applicant interviews and recipients selected.
October 9: Notification to award recipients, their brokers
October 24: Award receipt recognition at HCAR Installation and Awards Event

Applications will be screened by members of the Scholarship Review Panel.

Apply Today!

Applicant Rubric in Table Format: Click Here
Candidate Application: Click Here
Emerging Achiever Scholarship FAQ: Click Here

For more information, contact HCAR Staff at [email protected] or at 410-715-1437.

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