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The Takeoff Scholarship Program

Fred Perry and Gifford Shaw have established a scholarship program to assist current undergraduates pursuing a degree and career in the homebuilding and construction industries.

Applications Open - Deadline May 15, 2026 3:00 PM CT

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The Takeoff Scholarship Program

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Eligibility

Applicants to The Takeoff Scholarship Program must:

  • Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year in one of the following states: Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.
  • Be current college undergraduates who have completed at least 24 credits at the time of application.
  • Be pursuing a degree AND career in one of the following areas:
    • Building Science
    • Construction Management or Construction Engineering
    • Entrepreneurship (with Building Supply, Construction Trade, or Homebuilding focus)

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and plan to enroll at one of the following schools in order to be considered:

Alabama

  • Alabama A&M University
  • Tuskegee University

Georgia

  • Georgia Southern University
  • Kennesaw State University

Maryland

  • Morgan State University

North Carolina

  • Appalachian State University
  • North Carolina A&T University
  • UNC Charlotte
  • Western Carolina University

South Carolina

  • Clemson University

Tennessee

  • Middle Tennessee State University

Awards

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $5,000 award. Up to two (2) awards will be granted. Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in late July.

Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of the Sponsor. Payment is made in August.

Selection of Finalists

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic performance
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • Work experience
  • A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances
  • An online recommendation
  • And essay that addresses the applicant’s personal life experiences and/or cultural background and how it has shaped their desire to pursue a career in homebuilding or construction, and how they plan to serve underrepresented communities through their career.

Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award.

Selection of finalists is made by Scholarship America and selection of recipients are made by Fred Perry and Gifford Shaw. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Requirements

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  • Copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 used for the Financial Information section of the application. Please black out all social security numbers and bank account information.

NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than three business days after the application deadline date.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

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