2024 scholarship winners
Congratulations to the 2024 Woodyard Realty Scholarship Recipients!
Two $5,000 Bachelor’s degree scholarships: Mallory Martin and Katherine Pointer both attending the University of Memphis
One $2,500 Associate’s degree scholarship: Trinika Tolbert attending Southwest Tennessee Community College
One $2,500 Certificate degree scholarship: Anjessica Smith attending Southwest Tennessee Community College
Scholarship submissions are closed for 2024. To submit in 2025, please sign up for the Give901 newsletter to stay up to date on future opportunities.
Woodyard Realty Scholarship
Woodyard Realty is investing in the futures of Memphians by providing scholarships through Give901 that will provide financial support to a student pursuing a college education, a student pursuing a technical program, and a professional looking to advance in their career.
Thank you for your submissions to the Woodyard Schoarship program. The application is closed. We will contact winners of the scholarships no later than Friday, August 2.
ABOUT WOODYARD REALTY
Woodyard Realty Corporation has been the leading multifamily brokerage in the Memphis area since 1984. The goal of improving the quality of life in apartment communities and residents throughout Memphis and Shelby County has been at the center of their mission and work. They believe education empowers people to reach higher, creating more opportunities in their own lives and help build more sustainable communities. By awarding scholarships to young residents and employees, they hope to inspire more people to pursue higher education in Memphis.
WHY Woodyard CREATED THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
We believe that all people should have access to higher education. We also believe that too many youth and families cannot reach their full potential because they don’t have the resources to pay for education. The future of our city and the quality of life for our residents are dependent on the preparation of a diverse generation of new leaders, ready to build a stronger Memphis.
Through these scholarships, we are helping provide the needed support for these potential leaders to complete their education. Our goal is to reduce financial barriers to education and provide an opportunity for outstanding students to achieve their dreams.
RULES & QUALIFICATIONS
This year, the Woodyard Realty Corporation Scholarship Program will award four scholarships to Memphis and Shelby County residents who are pursuing education in Memphis and Shelby County:
Scholarship #1: One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound or college-enrolled student in a 4-year degree program at a Memphis/ Shelby County institution;
Scholarship #2: One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a college-bound or college-enrolled student in a 4-year degree program at a Memphis/ Shelby County institution;
Scholarship #3: One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a student accepted to or enrolled in a 2-year college or vocational school or program located in Memphis/ Shelby County;
Scholarship #4: One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a full-time or part-time employed person who has been accepted to or enrolled in a continuing education or advanced certification course or program.
Scholarships are awarded based solely on an essay of up to 550 words expressing the applicant’s academic and professional goals and how his or her personal experiences will help to accomplish those goals.
There are three requirements for applicants:
Applicants must be currently enrolled in or, by September 1, 2024, will be enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning, a vocational or trades program located in Memphis or Shelby County;
Applicants must submit an application and essay of up to 550 words, explaining his or her career, academic and/or vocational goals;
Applicants or the applicants’ families must: 1. Currently reside in Memphis or Shelby County and rent or lease their place of residence (ex. rented apartment or home); or 2. Be currently employed at an apartment housing community in Memphis or Shelby County.
Funding will be issued by check from Woodyard Realty Corporation directly to the MEMPHIS institution or certification program attended by the scholarship recipient.
APPLICATIONS
Timeline
The deadline for submission is Friday, July 19, 2024. Recipients will be announced on or around Friday, August 2, 2024.
Winner Selection
Winners will be selected by a panel of volunteer judges based on the merit and strength of the applicant’s essay. If, by chance, you know a scholarship judge, do not contact that individual regarding your application, or you may be disqualified. Instead, questions regarding the competition should be directed to rachel@cityleadership.org.
All decisions are final. Recipients will be notified via email. Unless prohibited by law, the recipients will be required to complete and return Statement of Eligibility and a publicity/liability release within two (2) weeks of the notification. Acceptance of the prize constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use the recipients’ names and likenesses for purposes of acknowledging and promoting the scholarship.
Criteria
Emphasis in judging will be placed on a goal statement that includes specific information on experience or steps taken toward the goal, persuasiveness (e.g., how your past achievements/experiences and your future planning increase the probability of reaching your goal), and why you think you will succeed.
Only one application is allowed per student in the scholarship program.
Applicants must intend to enroll or be enrolled in an accredited educational institution or vocational program in Memphis or Shelby County for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Applicants must complete all required information on the entry form.
Essays must be original work of the applicant and no more than 550 words in length.
Essays must be entered on our scholarship application form on this website. Essays will be truncated to the limit specified.
Essay submissions are stored and reviewed as “plain text” without additional formatting (bold, italics, underline, etc.). Please make note of this when submitting your essay.
By submitting the form electronically via our website, applicants provide their digital signature certifying that their information and essays are their own work and that they have read these rules and guidelines.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions, contact Rachel Taylor at City Leadership and Give901 at rachel@cityleadership.org.
FAQS
Who is eligible?
Students living in Memphis or Shelby County who rent or lease their place of residence (ex. Apartment, rental home, etc.) or employees of an apartment or housing community. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are currently or will be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning or vocational program located in Memphis or Shelby County for the 2024-2025 academic year.
When can I apply?
Applications for scholarships are available now until Friday, July 19, 2024 at 11:59pm. Recipients will be announced on or around August 2, 2024.
How do I apply?
Applicants must complete the online application, including an essay describing their career, vocational or academic goals. Essays must be no longer than 550 words.
Have any tips for writing a winning essay?
Since your scholarship application will be judged solely on the basis of this essay, it’s important that your essay accurately and fully describe your life, academic, career and/or vocational goals and how you plan to achieve them.
The scholarship information states that the essays are judged on grammar, organization and craftsmanship; furthermore, the word limit is 550. We’re not recommending you use every last word available, but keep in mind that the word length was set after determining how many words should be necessary to describe your plan for the rest of your life. Brevity is good, but not at the expense of providing complete information.
Your essay and those of all your competitors will be carefully read by volunteer judges before winners are selected. In other words, the competition is strong, and the judges are human beings who are volunteering their time to support the quest for a good education. Keep in mind that the process is about encouraging substance, not style. Turn in a clean and concise essay, but for best results, let your personal passions and goals shine through.
questions?
If you have any questions, contact Rachel Taylor at City Leadership and Give901 at rachel@cityleadership.org.