Deadline nears for Chicago Premium Outlets' Simon Youth Foundation Scholarship
Since the inception of the Simon Youth Foundation in 1998, shoppers at Simon Malls, Mills, and Premium Outlets have been among its most ardent supporters, contributing millions of dollars to support its mission to help students graduate. As a thank you to these loyal supporters, the Simon Youth Foundation is proud to once again help a deserving graduating senior living near Chicago Premium Outlets pursue a college education.
Simon Youth Community Scholarships are awarded in every community across the country that is home to a Simon Mall, Mills, or Premium Outlets center. Students may apply between Sept. 1, 2019 and Feb. 19, 2020 at syf.org/scholarships.
Scholarship recipients are eligible for a one-time $1,500 scholarship, which may be applied to tuition at an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school. Students who will be graduating high school in 2020 and live in the community surrounding Chicago Premium Outlets are eligible.
The scholarship program is part of a larger initiative called Simon Supports Education, which includes several opportunities designed to engage mall patrons in support of its mission.
Consumers can support the Simon Youth Foundation in a variety of ways while shopping at Simon malls including purchasing an SYF Visa Simon Giftcard.
One dollar from the sale of each gift card directly funds the Foundation's scholarship and graduation programs. In addition, shoppers can opt to donate a Simon Giftcard balance to the Simon Youth Foundation.
The scholarships awarded at the ceremony are funded largely by Simon Property Group employee and shopper donations.
Chicago Premium Outlets donates all coins deposited in their reflection pond to the Simon Youth Foundation. In addition, throughout the holidays, all wishes granted at the wishing tree are donated to Simon Youth Foundation. Wishes are made with a $1 donation, per wish.
"At Simon Youth Foundation, we are committed to helping students graduate and pursue their dreams through education," said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, president and CEO of the Simon Youth Foundation. "We strongly believe that cost should not prevent students from furthering their education. With the incredible support of our corporate partner, Simon, and its Simon Supports Education initiative, we are humbled to help eliminate this financial burden through SYF's scholarship programs."
In 2019, the Simon Youth Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to more than 407 graduating seniors. Over 20 years, the Simon Youth Foundation has awarded more than $18 million in post-secondary scholarships to 5,000 students.
In addition to the community scholarships, 11 regional awards called "Awards of Excellence" will be given to top candidates. The regions eligible are Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Orange County (CA), Orlando, and Seattle/Tacoma. Additionally, one Award of Excellence will be awarded to an applicant from a Simon Premium Outlet. Students from these areas will have the opportunity to receive a $10,000 award ($2,500 for up to four years).
The Simon Youth Foundation's 2020 scholarship recipients will be selected by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, a third-party partner. Applicants will be evaluated based on academic promise, financial need, written response, work experience as well as community and extracurricular involvement. Recipients will be notified in May 2020.
For more information, to confirm eligibility and apply for a Simon Youth Community Scholarship, please visit syf.org/scholarships/.
About Simon Youth Foundation
Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) is a national nonprofit committed to helping students reach graduation day. SYF works toward this mission by partnering with local public school districts to launch Simon Youth Academies, alternative classroom settings located primarily in Simon Malls that provide students at risk of dropping out with the personalized support needed to reach graduation day, and by providing Simon Youth Scholarships to graduating seniors who live near Simon centers. Since its inception, SYF has maintained a 90 percent graduation rate at its 37 Simon Youth Academies in 15 states, helping more than 19,850 students earn their high school diplomas, and has awarded over $18 million in scholarships. Visit syf.org to learn more.
About Simon
Simon is a global leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations and an S&P 100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our properties across North America, Europe, and Asia provide community gathering places for millions of people every day and generate billions in annual sales. For more information, visit simon.com.
About Chicago Run Premium Outlets
Chicago Premium Outlets is a Simon center located 38 miles west of downtown Chicago off I-88 at Farnsworth Ave. North in Aurora, Ill. For a decade-and-a-half the center has been a top destination for everyday savings of up to 65 percent on fashion and popular brands including Adidas, kate spade new york, Levi's Outlet Store, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion, Under Armour and Vera Bradley. Since its 2015 renovation, 50 new and expanded stores have opened at the popular outdoor center, including anchor Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, and close to a dozen standout outlet concepts that can't be found anywhere else in the Chicago area, including Illinois' only RH (Restoration Hardware) Outlet, Shinola (luxury watch) Outlet, and first-to-market outlets for designer sporting apparel brand Arc'teryx, menswear pioneer Robert Graham, Salomon performance footwear, and Clarins luxury skincare.