Misty Phelps

As the April deadlines for many Real Estate Educational Foundation (REEF) scholarships draw near, Peoria-area REALTOR® Misty Phelps is grateful that her managing broker mentioned the available scholarships more than a year ago.

Phelps’ daughter, Justyce Blankenship, submitted applications for several of the REEF scholarships and she ended up qualifying for the Morgan L. Fitch Scholarship for the 2016-17 school year at Northern Illinois University. (See a list of all REEF scholarships.)

“Sheryl Grider Whitehurst (my managing broker) is good at reminding us about the scholarships,” says Phelps, an associate broker at RE/MAX Traders Unlimited in Peoria. “She knows we’re self-employed, facing different challenges, including the ups and downs of the market. She knows scholarship funds would be appreciated.”

Since two of Grider Whitehurst’s own daughters were past scholarship recipients, she encourages others to apply for the scholarships, too. April 1 is the application deadline for six REEF scholarships, including the Fitch scholarship, while April 15 is the deadline for another. Four more scholarships have fall deadlines.

“Unfortunately, college expenses are not getting any cheaper,” says Grider Whitehurst. “Anything you can do to reduce the amount of debt your children graduate with is a good thing.”

Helping parents and students

Justyce Blankenship

“When I heard Justyce won a scholarship,” says Phelps, “I was thrilled. As a single parent, paying for my daughter’s education, it gave me a sense of peace to know that she won a scholarship. With tuition at more than $25,000 a year, plus rent, food and other expenses, any amount she earns certainly helps.”

The fact that the foundation offers scholarships is a wonderful benefit, says Phelps. Her daughter is a junior pursuing a Communications degree with hopes of becoming a disaster communications expert.

“I am beyond grateful to the Real Estate Educational Foundation for the generous scholarship that was granted to me,” Blankenship says. “With the help of this scholarship, I was able to focus less on how I was going to pay for my education this year and more on my school work. I am so thankful for their support.”

Scholarships with the April 1 application deadline include:

  • James M. Kinney Scholarship;
  • Richard “Dick” Wiegers Scholarship;
  • Academic Scholarships;
  • Thomas F. Seay Scholarship;
  • Morgan L. Fitch Scholarship; and the
  • George Patt Scholarship Fund.

For more information about REEF Scholarships click here.