NAHB Women in Building Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Housing Endowment

Overview
The scholarship and grant program supports individuals who wish to continue their education or training in fields related to the housing and building industries. There are three PWB/NHE awards currently open to eligible candidates. Application materials must be submitted by March 6, 2026.

Eligibility (general)
Applicants should review each award’s specific eligibility criteria below; some awards have additional preferences or documentation requirements. See individual award sections for GPA, enrollment status, recommendation, and verification rules.

Strategies for Success Scholarship
Purpose and history
The Strategies for Success Scholarship assists students who are pursuing postsecondary studies in housing-related disciplines. The award was established in 2001 by NAHB PWB past national president Deborah Ferland and Austin Ferland.

Who may apply
- Must be enrolled full time at the start of the Fall semester and must have at least one full academic year remaining after the scholarship is awarded.
- Must be enrolled in a housing-focused program (examples: construction management, construction technology, civil engineering, architecture, design, or trade specialties) at a two‑ or four‑year college, university, or vocational program.
- High school seniors are not eligible.

Application requirements and preferences
- A complete application and two letters of recommendation must be submitted by the March 6, 2026 deadline.
- Preference will be given to applicants demonstrating financial need who would be unable to attend college without assistance.
- Preference also will be given to students who are members of an NAHB Student Chapter.

Academic standards
- Recipients are required to maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for core curriculum courses.
- If a recipient’s grade point average falls below these thresholds, the NAHB PWB Strategies for Success Scholarship Selection Working Group may discontinue further scholarship payments.

Building Hope Scholarship
Purpose and history
The Building Hope Scholarship provides funds for students advancing education or training in building-related fields. The scholarship was started in 1955 by Hope S. Bettilyon, former president of the NAHB Women’s Auxiliary (now the NAHB Professional Women in Building Council). Local PWB councils are encouraged to inform students in their communities about this award.

Who may apply
- Must be enrolled either full time or part time at the start of the Fall semester at a college, university, or trade school and must have at least one course or trade-related program remaining after the award is received.
- Must be pursuing a building-related course of study or a vocational/trade program.

Award use and documentation
- Awards cover tuition and program/school fees only. Disbursements will be made directly to the educational or training institution by the National Housing Endowment.
- Recipients may be asked to provide enrollment verification before funds are released.
- A complete application and letters of recommendation must be submitted by the March 6, 2026 deadline.

Professional Women in Building Leadership Grant
Purpose
The PWB Leadership Grant assists PWB members with costs associated with professional development—examples include fees for certifications, designations, licensing, travel to professional meetings, and other career-building education. The grant may also offset travel expenses to NAHB’s Spring Leadership Meeting in Washington, D.C., June 9–13.

Who may apply
- Applicants must be members of the Professional Women in Building (PWB) in good standing.

Preference and documentation
- Preference may be given to applicants who have held PWB leadership positions at the local and/or national level (for example: local council chair or vice chair, NAHB PWB subcommittee chair or vice chair).
- If applicable, proof of program or course registration and/or attendance at NAHB’s Spring Leadership Meeting (June 9–13 in Washington, D.C.) may be required prior to award disbursement.

Notes and deadline
- Three PWB/NHE scholarships and grants are available to qualified applicants.
- All application materials must be received by March 6, 2026.