Simon Youth Foundation seeks applicants for $1 million in scholarships

Simon Youth Foundation seeks applicants for $1 million in scholarships

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (January 2, 2014)– For a fourteenth 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 is open now until Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Locally, students can pick up a copy of a scholarship application at the Simon Guest Services Center at Brea Mall, The Shops at Mission Viejo or Westminster Mall. Applications also can be downloaded at the SYF website at: www.syf.org/our-initiatives/scholarships/community-application.

Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2014 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, ten regional awards called “Award 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.

In 2013, 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 Brea Mall, The Shops at Mission Viejo and Westminster Mall 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 2014 SYF Community Scholarship recipients will be selected by Scholarship Management Services, 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.

The completed application, along with official school transcripts and parents’ most recently filed tax form, must be sent to Scholarship Management Services by January 11, 2014.

About SYF

Simon Youth Foundation, established in 1998, supports 23 Simon Youth Academies in 13 U.S. states that give at-risk students the same education they would receive in a traditional classroom while offering the flexibility that their individual circumstances require. Recipient of the Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Dropout Prevention from the National Dropout Prevention Center, the foundation has helped more than 10,000 students earn their high school diploma and provided more than $10 million in college scholarships to 3,900 students in 42 states. The Education Commission of the United States has recognized the foundation with its Corporate Award for sustained and substantial investment in improving public education.

About Brea Mall

Brea Mall is an upscale center showcasing four major department stores, including Nordstrom, Macy’s, jcpenney and Sears, and more than 175 specialty shops. Brea Mall also features a full-service day spa, a newly remodeled Foodworks Food Court, and several fine restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory, BJ’s, Le Diplomate Cafe and California Pizza Kitchen, which all feature outdoor patios. Since February 2013, Brea Mall has been undergoing a large-scale interior and exterior renovation, meant to touch several areas of the shopping center, including new mall entrances, the addition of family-style restrooms, a brand new children’s Play Area on the lower level and new flooring, landscaping, handrails, signage and lighting throughout. The center will showcase updated textures, colors and amenities, creating a more contemporary and inviting shopping environment.For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/brea-mall or call 714-990-2732.

About The Shops at Mission Viejo

Among the 150 stores and restaurants at The Shops at Mission Viejo, this indoor mall features Nordstrom, H&M, Macy’s, Apple, Sephora, and The Cheesecake Factory. Home to Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, Paradise Bakery and Microsoft, recognized by the OC Register’s 2013 People’s Choice Awards for “best ice cream,” “best cookie,” and “best tech store” respectively, The Shops at Mission Viejo serves many nearby communities such as Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, San Juan Capistrano and the city of Mission Viejo. The Shops at Mission Viejo is conveniently located at the intersection of the I-5 and Crown Valley Parkway in the city of Mission Viejo. With over 150 stores and restaurants, The Shops at Mission Viejo is south Orange County’s main shopping destination. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/the-shops-at-mission-viejo or call 949-364-1771.

About Westminster Mall

Westminster Mall is a modern shopping center that features some of the best names in retail including Macy’s, jcpenney, Sears, Target, Victoria’s Secret PINK, Old Navy and more. In addition to more than 180 specialty stores with shops ranging from teen apparel to shoes to women’s apparel and jewelry, Westminster Mall also features exciting dining destinations such as Outback Steakhouse and Todai. In November 2008, Westminster Mall completed a multi-million dollar renovation. Included were brand new family restrooms, a first of its kind children’s fully soft play area, new interior and exterior directional signage. The entire lower level of the center was carpeted for guest’s shopping enjoyment and comfort. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/westminster-mall or call 714-898-2558.

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