The Simon Youth Foundation is seeking applicants for its Simon Youth Community Scholarship, with the application period running through Feb. 20.
Since 1998, SYF has awarded $17 million in scholarships to nearly 4,800 students, with $1 million awarded to more than 250 graduating seniors in 2018. 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 graduating high school in 2019 and living in the community surrounding a Simon Mall or Simon Premium Outlet center in New England — such as Peabody’s Northshore Mall and Square One Mall in Saugus — are eligible.
SYF’s mission is to help students near a Simon property in New England 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 Outlet center. As part of the scholarship program, which is one facet of the Simon Supports Education initiative, visitors at Simon centers can purchase SYF VISA Simon gift cards, with a dollar from each sale going to support SYF and its mission.
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, Orlando, Seattle/Tacoma, and Orange County, Calif. One Award of Excellence will also 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).
SYF’s 2019 scholarship recipients will be selected by International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS), a third-party partner. Applicants will be evaluated based on academic promise, financial need, written response, work experience, and community and extracurricular involvement. Recipients will be notified in May.
Students can learn more and apply at syf.org/scholarships.