Mildred C. Hanson SIOR Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Specialist, Industrial and Office Realtor Foundation

Overview

Founded in 2008, the Mildred C. Hanson, SIOR Memorial Fund sponsors an annual scholarship program designed to support and encourage qualified women pursuing education that leads to careers in commercial real estate.

About Mildred C. (Millie) Hanson, SIOR

Millie Hanson was a leading broker in office and industrial sales and leasing and among the earliest women to hold the SIOR (Specialist, Industrial and Office REALTOR®) credential. She served as President of the SIOR New Jersey Chapter and of the Industrial and Office Brokers Association of the New York Metropolitan Area. Millie was recognized as NAI James Hanson Real Estate’s Top Sales Associate in both 2005 and 2006. Over a 34-year career she negotiated transactions exceeding $800 million in value.

2025 Awards

For 2025, the Millie Fund will award two scholarships of $8,000 each:
- One scholarship to an outstanding rising junior or senior undergraduate female student enrolled in a four-year, accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university program in Real Estate, Business, or Finance who intends to pursue a career in commercial real estate.
- One scholarship to a qualified female graduate student enrolled in an accredited MRE or MRED master’s program.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a citizen of the United States or Canada.
- Be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university located in the United States or Canada and be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree related to commercial real estate (the “Qualified Program”).
- Be a rising junior or higher (this includes upper-level undergraduates and graduate students).
- Be female and intend to pursue a career in commercial real estate.

Award Terms and Use of Funds

- Scholarship proceeds may be applied to tuition, room and board, textbooks and materials, and other expenses directly related to completing the degree.
- Payments will be issued directly to the recipient’s college or university on the student’s behalf.

Selection Process

A committee of SIOR Foundation members will evaluate applications based on these factors:
- Demonstrated interest in a commercial real estate career, including specific areas of focus and post-degree plans.
- Academic performance (GPA) and involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Community service and/or employment experience.
- Financial need or economic circumstances.
- Two recommendations from individuals familiar with the applicant’s accomplishments or goals (examples: professors, counselors, employers, REALTORS®, SIORs).

Application Instructions and Deadline

- Complete the application and submit it electronically to the SIOR Foundation office no later than 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, October 31, 2025.
- Letters of recommendation may be submitted separately, but all materials must be clearly labeled with the applicant’s name. Unlabeled documents cannot be reviewed.

About the SIOR Foundation

The SIOR Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting initiatives that broaden, educate, and strengthen the commercial real estate profession. Since 1962—when it sponsored the industry’s first graduate-level textbook on industrial real estate—the Foundation has partnered with organizations, SIOR, and SIOR chapters to fund a variety of educational programs and resources for the commercial real estate community.