Graduating high school seniors living within fifty miles of Arizona Mills and Phoenix Premium Outlets are able to apply for a scholarship with Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students.
Each year, Simon Youth Community Scholarships are awarded in every community across the country that is home to Simon, Mills, or Premium Outlets malls. The application period has begun and ends on March 1.
Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2016 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.
SYF will award 25 scholarships to students graduating in the class of 2016 who live within 50 miles of any Premium Outlets mall nationwide. No more than one scholarship will be awarded per property. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.
In addition, an “Award of Excellence” will be given to the top candidate from among the scholarship applicants that represent the nationwide Premium Outlets locations. That student will receive a $10,000 award ($2,500 for up to four years).
In 2015, the Simon Youth Foundation awarded $1.2 million to 300 students nationwide.
“The cost of college continues to rise, and SYF is proud to partner with Arizona Mills and Phoenix Premium Outlets to award scholarships that will remove some of the financial obstacles that could otherwise prevent a student from achieving the dream of a college education,” said Michael Durnil, SYF president and CEO.
The 2016 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 in May.
