Simon Youth Foundation seeks applicants for scholarships
For the 15th 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, including Gurnee Mills.
Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarships are awarded through the Simon Youth Scholarships program and in partnership with local Simon properties. The application period has begun and will end Feb. 25. Students are encouraged to apply online at www.syf.org.
Any student who will graduate in the class of 2015 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. 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, regional "Awards of Excellence" will be given to top candidates in 10 markets: 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.
In 2014, the Simon Youth Scholarships program awarded $1.1 million to 389 students nationwide.
"Our mission is to ignite hope for a brighter future in students, and our foundation is proud to partner with Gurnee Mills 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, the president and CEO of Simon Youth Foundation.
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 postsecondary education will also be given close consideration.
Recipients will be notified the week of May 4.