For a fifteenth straight year, Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, will award a college scholarship to one student from every community that is home to a Simon property. Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarships are awarded through the Simon Youth Scholarships program and in partnership with local Simon properties. The application period ends on February 25.
Locally, students can pick up a copy of a scholarship application at the Simon Guest Services Center at Round Rock Premium Outlets and San Marcos Premium Outlets. Students can also apply online at www.syf.org.
Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2015 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. Properties in the Austin area include Barton Creek Square, The Arboretum, Gateway Center, Lakeline Mall, Lakeline Plaza, Lakeline Village, Round Rock Premium Outlets, San Marcos Premium Outlets, and The Shops at Arbor Walk. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,500 to students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.
In addition, ten regional awards called “Awards of Excellence” will be given to top candidates. The regions eligible are Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, New York, Orange County (CA), Orlando, and Seattle/Tacoma. Students from these areas will have the opportunity to win a $2,500 scholarship that is renewable for up to three years.
Another “Award of Excellence” will be given to the top candidate from among the scholarship winners that represent each of the nationwide Premium Outlets® locations. That student will win a $2,500 scholarship which is renewable for up to three years.
In 2014, the Simon Youth Scholarships program awarded $1.1 million to more than 300 students nationwide.
“Our mission is to ignite hope for a brighter future in students, and our Foundation is proud to award scholarships that will remove some of the financial obstacles that would otherwise prevent a student from achieving the dream of a college education,” says J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., the President and CEO of SYF.
The 2015 SYF Community Scholarship recipients will be selected by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), a third-party administrator. Students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post secondary education will also be given close consideration.
Recipients will be notified the week of May 4.
