Create professional development programs that help REALTORS® strengthen their businesses.
Protect private property rights and promote the value of REALTORS®.
Advance ethics enforcement programs that increase REALTOR® professionalism.
Protect REALTORS® by providing legal guidance and education.
Stay current on industry issues with daily news from Illinois REALTORS®, network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events throughout the year.
To be considered for a 2021-2022 Thomas F. Seay Scholarship, students pursuing careers in real estate must submit their applications to the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (REEF) by April 1.
Applications and accompanying materials must be submitted online. Applicants must be Illinois residents, U.S. citizens and have proof of acceptance at any accredited college or university in the United States. In addition, applicants must have at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 5-point scale and have completed 30 hours of college credit. Get the Seay application now.
Scholarships will be awarded using the applicants’:
- intended course of study and career goals,
- record of scholastic achievement, including academic grade point average,
- economic need or situation, and
- references and recommendations by instructors, employers, REALTORS® and other prominent individuals.
Seay scholarships of up to $2,000 are awarded annually, although the number of scholarships awarded will be determined by REEF. Scholarships may be used for tuition, room and board, textbooks and materials.
Seay was a 1964 president of the Chicago Real Estate Board, a member of the Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors and the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors. He was the president and chairman of the board of Seay and Thomas, Inc., REALTORS® headquartered in Chicago.
REEF is a not-for-profit organization established to aid and promote the work of real estate education throughout Illinois. The foundation is supported by voluntary contributions from organizations and individuals who recognize the importance of furthering academic experience and training in the real estate industry in Illinois.
Other scholarships with April deadlines
REEF offers seven other scholarships with April 1 deadlines: Academic Scholarship, Morgan L. Fitch Scholarship, Daniel L. Goodwin Scholarship, James M. Kinney Scholarship, Parker R. Oldenettel Scholarship, George Patt Scholarship and Richard D. Wiegers Scholarship.
Since 2000, REEF has awarded 1,088 scholarships worth $803,150 in scholarships to real estate professionals and their families. For more information and applications, go to ilreef.org/scholarship/.
