The National Housing Endowment has awarded approximately $70,000 in travel scholarships to more than 437 students from 52 colleges and technical schools across the country that have students attending the 2012 NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando in February.

In addition, 10 home builders associations have committed more than $16,500 in matching funds to help support students whom they sponsored to attend.

Most of the students attending IBS are between two and four years away from beginning careers in the home building industry.

The scholarships ― in conjunction with the Home Builders Institute ― enable NAHB Student Chapter members to offset some or all of their travel and attendance expenses at IBS. Providing funding to students has proven to be instrumental in helping them learn outside the classroom and prepare for careers in the home building industry.

The IBS scholarship program, now in its fifth year, also helps give young NAHB members the tools to enter into the association as graduates and to become future leaders.

“The board of trustees of the National Housing Endowment felt this program was too valuable and that is why they made the decision to continue funding this program,” said Bob Mitchell, endowment chairman and 2000 NAHB president. “Even in these difficult times for housing and the economy, we still must invest in the future of our industry.”

Ever since Student Chapter activities and competitions have been held at IBS, students and faculty have been challenged to raise enough funds to attend the show. The endowment scholarship program helps them defray some of their expenses.

“Attending the show with my student chapter was a great way to bond and learn more about home building,” said Andrew Schellpeper, 2010 NAHB Student Chapter president at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Even though I will be graduating, I plan on attending the show in the future.”

“The endowment is working to increase the number of professionals entering residential construction and this scholarship, along with other programs we sponsor, is leading the effort to encourage the best and brightest to choose this rewarding career,” said Mitchell. “We are so appreciative of our partnership with the Home Builders Institute and the NAHB Student Chapters, without whose support this program would not be such a success.”

For more information, visit the endowment website at www.nationalhousingendowment.org.