Purpose
NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area Chapter is offering a scholarship program for ARGUS Enterprise* Software Certification through the NAIOP Center for Education. This certification is often a required entry-level skill for commercial real estate analyst positions, particularly in asset management and acquisitions. It is our understanding that the high cost of obtaining this certification (regularly priced at $1,350) may create a barrier for otherwise qualified candidates who may not have the access or resources to obtain it.
Applications for the scholarship will be accepted online.
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026
*ARGUS Enterprise is a widely used commercial real estate software for asset and portfolio management. This software enables organizations to project the performance of their commercial real estate assets throughout the investment lifecycle.
Eligibility
- Seeking or current employment in the real estate industry, especially in asset management or acquisitions
- Does not have access to ARGUS training or certification through current employer
- Currently located in the San Francisco Bay Area (or plan to relocate to the area)
- Access to a Windows computer to complete the online training (not compatible with Mac)
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- Personal Statement about why you are pursuing a career in commercial real estate, where your interest lies within the commercial real estate industry, career plans, and how this scholarship would help you (600-750 words maximum)
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation/character reference
Applicants will be contacted the week of July 6th, following the application deadline. NAIOP leadership may request a brief phone interview with finalist candidates.
Scholarship Recipients will receive:
- Access to complete the online on-demand ARGUS Software Certification (ASC) – Enterprise Bundle* (valued at $1,350).* Participants may select a start date at their convenience during July/August 2026, and then the self-study program and online certification exam must be completed within a three-month (90-day) window from the chosen start date.
- One year of NAIOP membership in the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (up to $350 value).
- Pairing with an industry professional based on your career goals from the NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area membership for a mentorship meeting.
- Access to an ARGUS expoert who oversees a top brokerage's San Francisco analytics pool and leads their Real Estate Finance Training Program
- Participation in a welcome meeting in July via Zoom.
- Participation in a check-in meeting with the scholarship committee in the Fall (to be scheduled).
- An article featuring the scholarship recipients will appear in the NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area online monthly newsletter. Scholarship recipients will be profiled on the NAIOP SFBA website.
- Option to collaborate with fellow scholarship recipients in a self-guided ARGUS study group.
*Participants will have access to the course materials for three months. This package includes eight eLearning courses, Certification Manual (eBook), three-month Academic (Windows Compatible Only) ARGUS Enterprise License, Prep Exam and the ASC Exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, students will achieve certified status in ARGUS Enterprise. The certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking the recertification exam. The case study portion will be either, Office, Retail or Mixed-use (Office/Retail) property type.
Sponsorship Opportunity:
Benefits of Sponsoring this Program:
• Visibility with logo recognition on the scholarship webpage, marketing collateral including email blasts, acknowledgment post on social media, & application form distributed to NAIOP SFBA’s full contact database
• Access to meet the scholarship recipients, candidates, and a past scholarship recipients list
• Participation on the scholarship selection committee (optional)
• Invitation to attend (or host) networking mixers or informational sessions
• Mentorship opportunity for a professional from your firm to be paired with a recipient mentee