Scholarship Programs

The National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of NAHB, administers scholarship programs for students at the graduate and undergraduate level studying residential construction and related fields. Together with individual and corporate support, the National Housing Endowment is committed to the future of the building industry by creating educational opportunities for students across the country. Working with HBI and its NAHB Student Chapters program, more than $280,000 is distributed to worthy students every year.

Each NAHB Student Chapter member is encouraged to apply for the scholarships listed below. Don’t let the funds go unused! Learn more at www.nationalhousingendowment.com.

Lee S. Evans/National Housing Endowment Scholarship Fund : Established in 1990 by Lee S. Evans and his wife Virginia, this program has given over $375,000 to more than 160 students since its inception. Amount Awarded: Up to $5,000 given per student; $50,000 to $75,000 per year; announced at the International Builders’ Show.  To qualify - Open to students studying residential construction at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Centex Homes/National Housing Endowment Build Your Future Scholarship: Established in 1999 to address the pressing need for educating and training managers in the building industry. To date more than $150,000 has been awarded to 80 students. In 2006, $45,000 was awarded, and the amount continues to grow annually.
Amount Awarded: Scholarships are awarded in the amount of up to $2,500 per year per student.  To qualify: Open to full-time students at a two or four year college or university/vocational programs studying residential construction.

Herman J. Smith/National Housing Endowment Scholarship Fund: Established in 1994, this program was created by HBI Chairman and National Housing Endowment Trustee Patsy Smith to honor her husband, 1981 NAHB Past President Herman J. Smith and his lifelong commitment to both the housing industry and to the education of future generations of home builders. Program has awarded over $145,000 in scholarship dollars to more than 80 deserving students.
Amount Awarded: Annually awards more than $25,000 to students up to $2,000 per year. To qualify: Open to students attending nationally recognized colleges and universities offering accredited and focused programs in construction management, mortgage finance or construction related fields. Preference is given to applicants who are legal residents of Texas or attend an institution in Texas and to students who are current members (or will be a member in the upcoming semester) of a student chapter of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Deadline: May 2011.

NAHB Women’s Council/National Housing Endowment Strategies for Success Scholarship: Initiated in 2001 by NAHB Women’s Council Past National President Deborah Ferland and her husband, Austin Ferland. To date, the Women’s Council has awarded scholarships totaling $4,500. Amount Awarded: Each award is up to $1,000 per year. To qualify: Open to full-time students in a building related course of study, such as construction management, construction technology, civil engineering, architecture, design or any of the trade specialties.  Deadline: March 2011.

New Campaign To Educate Youths On Careers In Home Building

The Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), launched its Make It Happen career outreach campaign amidst a record attendance of more than 105,000 at the 2006 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Jan. 11-14.

HBI Chairman Michael Sivage of Michael Sivage Custom Homes, Albuquerque, N.M., sees the initiative as a critical endeavor by HBI to reach out to young people and the parents, counselors and teachers who influence their career decisions. The campaign was designed to showcase the many rewarding careers in today’s home building industry.

“With 18 million homes and apartments needed to meet the nation’s housing demands over the next decade, Make It Happen will help educate young people on the significant career opportunities this thriving industry has to offer,” said Sivage. “We created this program to let people know that no matter what their talents or skills, home building has a place for them.”

Funded in part by a $75,000 contribution from the National Housing Endowment, NAHB’s philanthropic arm, Make It Happen showcases the variety of careers that comprise residential construction - from construction management, interior design and marketing to mortgage banking, sales and the trades.

As part of the campaign, HBI will offer printed educational materials in English and Spanish and a short video/DVD highlighting key sections such as Make It Pay, Make It Yours and Make it Work. A new Web site, www.buildingcareers.org will also offer industry facts and information on job growth projections, college construction programs and salaries.

To order materials or to get further information, please visit www.buildingcareers.org or contact Deanna Lewis at the Home Builders Institute, (800) 795-7955, ext. 8927.

HOME BUILDERS INSTITUTE, the workforce development arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), helps more than 2,500 students enter careers in the home building industry each year. HBI promotes the home building industry as a career and helps address its workforce needs through trades training, the NAHB Student Chapters program, partnerships between the residential construction industry and education, and assistance to home builders associations in their workforce development efforts.