What the scholarships cover
IREM Foundation scholarships provide tuition assistance for up to three certification courses (view scholarship tuition rates here). Recipients can apply for more scholarship funding once the original award is exhausted or has expired.
Who’s eligible to apply
You can apply for an IREM scholarship if you meet these three criteria:
- You’re an IREM member in good standing (all dues and fees paid) or you’re currently employed by an AMO firm.
- You express the intent to pursue at least one IREM certification (CPM®, ARM®, or ACoM®).
- You have not received a failing grade or incomplete on a previous course funded by a scholarship within the past 12 months.
How final recipients are selected
Selection of scholarship recipients is based on factors including (but not limited to):
- Your demonstrated commitment to a career in real estate management.
- Intent to earn an IREM property management certification (ARM, ACoM, CPM).
- Your participation in your local IREM Chapter.
- Previous scholarships awarded and activated, including any that have expired.
Donald M. Furbush, CPM® Scholarship
The purpose of the Furbush Scholarship is to assist recipients with the cost of tuition associated with achieving the CPM® designation.
What the scholarship includes:
- Tuition assistance that covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three CPM® certification courses or exam(s).
Who qualifies:
- IREM members or current employees of IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firms.
About the scholarship:
Donald M. Furbush, CPM®, was Senior Vice President for BRE Properties, Inc. of San Francisco, heading the company’s asset management department. He served as IREM President in 1990, which capped a leadership commitment that began as president of the IREM San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. Mr. Furbush also held the Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) and the Real Property Administrator (RPA) designations. He was a member of the Society of Real Property Administrators, Building Owners and Managers Association of San Francisco, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Bette Fears, ARM® Scholarship
The purpose of the Fears Scholarship is to assist recipients with the cost of tuition associated with achieving the ARM® certification.
What the scholarship includes:
- Tuition assistance that covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three ARM® certification courses or exam(s).
Who qualifies:
- IREM members or current employees of an IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firm.
About the scholarship:
Bette Fears, ARM®, served as the community manager for ParkPlace Apartments in Coeur’Alene, Idaho. ParkPlace Apartments was a member of Tomlinson Black Management Inc., AMO®. Bette was an active member of the IREM Inland Northwest Chapter, serving in local and national leadership positions within IREM. As a member of the Foundation’s Scholarship and Grant Committee, Bette brought a sense of caring for all applicants as they exhibited a desire to advance careers in multi-family housing.
Paul H. Rittle, Sr., Memorial Scholarship
The purpose of the Rittle Memorial Scholarship is to assist recipients with the cost of tuition associated with achieving the ACoM certification.
What the scholarship includes:
- Tuition assistance that covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three ACoM certification courses or exam(s).
Who qualifies:
- IREM members or current employees of an IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firm.
About the scholarship:
Paul H. Rittle, Sr., CPM®, was president of the Pittsburgh real estate firm Rittle-Rosfeld, which he founded in partnership in 1945. He served as IREM® President in 1972. He played an active role in local and national real estate organizations, having served as president of the Pittsburgh Board of Realtors® in 1966 and chaired the NAREB Make America Better Committee for the state of Pennsylvania. In 1967, he was selected Realtor® of the Year by the Pittsburgh Board.
New England Past President’s Scholarship
The purpose of the New England Past President’s Scholarship is to assist recipients with the cost of tuition associated with earning an IREM credential.
What the scholarship includes:
- Tuition assistance that covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three IREM certification courses or exam(s).
Who qualifies:
- IREM members or current employees of an IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firm within Region 1 (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT).
Scholarship background:
The New England Past President’s Scholarship Fund encourages education and knowledge sharing specific to those living in IREM’s Region 1. The scholarship honors the New England Region’s Past Presidents, who’s legacy began in 1938 with the first Chapter President, Robert C. Nordblom.
Diversity Scholarship
The purpose of the Diversity Scholarship is to support individuals who identify as belonging to an underrepresented population in achieving career advancement through education and IREM certification.
What the scholarship includes:
- Tuition assistance that covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three courses or exams in the following categories: ACoM, ARM®, CPM®, CPM® Fast Track fees, or BDM603 (required for company to become an AMO®).
Who qualifies:
- IREM members or current employees of an IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firm who identify as belonging to an underrepresented population.
About the scholarship:
The IREM Foundation is committed to helping the Institute increase diversity in the real estate management industry and within IREM. Diversity for us means we embrace our similarities and differences. We welcome a myriad of all races, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, creeds, nationalities, national origins, and individuals with disabilities to our community.
Robert K. and Gladys M. Beal Legacy Scholarship
The purpose of the Beal Legacy Scholarship is to reward IREM members who demonstrate both merit and service by volunteering with their local chapter.
What the scholarship includes:
- Tuition assistance that covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three ARM® or CPM® certification courses or exams.
Who qualifies:
- IREM members or current employees of an IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firm. To qualify, applicants must also have already received and successfully completed courses from a previous IREM scholarship and have volunteered within an IREM chapter within the past two years.
About the scholarship:
Bob Beal spent more than 50 years at RPM Management, AMO®, in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he served as president, and shortly before his passing in 2013 served as chairman emeritus. He was also an active member of IREM, serving at both the local and national level. He received many recognitions and awards in that time, serving as an IREM Regional Vice President and an IREM Foundation board member. Bob and his wife, Gladys Beal left a generous bequest to the IREM Foundation, and their legacy of supporting talented, dedicated real estate managers advance in their career continues on through the Robert K. and Gladys M. Beal Education Endowment.
Eugene Burger Scholarship for Affordable Housing
The purpose of the Burger Scholarship is to support professionalism in the affordable housing industry.
What the scholarship includes:
- Tuition assistance that covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three ARM® certification courses or exams.
Who qualifies:
- IREM members or current employees of an IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firm who are employed by a non-profit housing provider.
About the scholarship:
Eugene Burger, CPM® (1933 – 2021) was a real estate management legend. He was a thought leader, a role model, an educator, and a champion of the affordable housing industry. He served as IREM’s President in 1981, and as the IREM Foundation’s President in 1988-1989. To learn more about Eugene Burger and his legacy, you can read more here. This generous scholarship is funded through the Community Housing Opportunities Organization (CHOC).
Women in Leadership Scholarship
The purpose of the Women in Leadership Scholarship is to support individuals who identify as women in their pursuit of career advancement into leadership roles within real estate through education and IREM certification.
Covers 75% of the member tuition rate for up to three courses or exams in the following categories: ACoM®, ARM®, CPM®, CPM® Fast Track fees, or BDM603 (required for company to become an AMO®).
Recipients who pass their courses/exams funded through the scholarship by June 30 are eligible for a stipend that covers 75% of the member registration fee to attend the 2024 IREM® Global Summit. The stipend must be activated by September 30. (Applicants will be considered/awarded starting in January 2024. Scholarship is subject to availability of funds.)
Who qualifies:
IREM members or current employees of an IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO®) firm who identify as women.
About the scholarship:
In honor of IREM’s 90th anniversary, and in celebration of two consecutive years of an all-women leadership team, the IREM Foundation created a new scholarship specific to women, which supports education and networking opportunities. While more than 50% of CPMs are women, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles within commercial real estate. IREM Foundation scholarships support industry professionals looking to enhance their education through IREM’s world-class certifications.
Here’s how to apply for an IREM Foundation scholarship
You can apply for a Foundation scholarship online. You’ll need:
- The name of your local IREM Chapter
- Your IREM member ID (if known)
- 500 words or less stating your intent to earn an IREM certification. The statement should express your passion for real estate management, professional accomplishments, and a description of how a Foundation Scholarship will support your career goals.
Scholarships are funded by the generous donations from IREM members, Chapters, and AMO Firms. Scholarship applications take approximately 10 business days to process. View the full IREM Foundation scholarship policy.