Deadline Draws Near for Simon Youth Foundation Scholarship

The deadline for Chicago-area high school seniors interested in applying for a Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) scholarship is Feb. 15, 2018. Dedicated to providing support for students at risk of dropping out of high school, SYF helps graduating seniors living near Simon centers across the country, including Woodfield Mall, Orland Square, Gurnee Mills, Chicago Premium Outlets, Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets and Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, take the next step on their educational journey.

Since the inception of Simon Youth Foundation in 1998, shoppers at Simon Malls, Mills, and Premium Outlets have been among SYF’s most ardent supporters, contributing millions of dollars to support the Foundation’s mission. Each year, 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 can apply online by visiting syf.org/scholarships before applications close at midnight on Feb. 15, 2018.

Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2018 and lives in the designated community surrounding a Simon property is eligible. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 toward tuition and other educational expenses at an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.

The SYF community scholarship program is one facet of the Simon Supports Education initiative, launched in spring 2017 at all Simon properties. As part of this initiative, visitors at Simon centers can now purchase SYF Simon VISA gift cards, redeemable wherever VISA is accepted. One dollar from the sale of each bright orange, SYF-branded card will go directly to support SYF and its mission.

“The support of Simon and its generous shoppers has been instrumental in the growth and overall impact of Simon Youth Foundation,” said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, SYF President and CEO. “Providing this scholarship to deserving students in communities that Simon calls home is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for their continued support.”

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, 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).

In 2017, the Simon Youth Foundation awarded $1.6 million to 335 students nationwide.

“The importance of pursuing education—both high school and beyond—cannot be overstated, and we feel passionately that financial constraints should never be the reason that a promising student is unable to achieve their dreams,” said Durnil. “We are proud to partner with Simon’s Chicago-area centers to help local students take their next steps in life.”

The 2018 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 of their awards in May 2018.

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About SYF

SYF is a national non-profit that partners with public school districts to open dropout recovery academies inside Simon shopping malls. The organization now has 30 Simon Youth Academies in 12 states. In the organization’s 19-year history, nearly 16,000 students have earned their diploma and more than $17 million in scholarships have been awarded. Visit syf.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@simon_youth), or Instagram (@simonyouthfoundation).

About Woodfield Mall

Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States, provides Chicago area residents and visitors with a distinctive collection of nearly 300 retail stores. The mega mall showcases five major anchors, including Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Nordstrom, JCPenney and Sears, plus popular stores Altar’d State, Anthropologie, Apple, Arhaus, AIX Armani Exchange, BOSS, COACH, Columbia Sportswear, Michael Kors, Lacoste, lululemon, SIX:02, Timberland, Tommy Bahama, Tumi, White House/Black Market and Zara. Shoppers enjoy a delicious array of dining and entertainment options such as Uncle Julio's, Texas de Brazil, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s and Kinfork BBQ & Tap. Woodfield Mall is located about 25 miles from downtown Chicago and in close proximity to O’Hare International Airport. For additional information, visit www.shopwoodfield.com.

About Orland Square Mall

Orland Square Mall, the south suburbs’ leading fashion destination, is anchored by Macy’s, Carson Pirie Scott, Sears and JCPenney. This climate-controlled indoor mall features more than 150 popular retail stores, such as Apple, Aveda, Banana Republic, Brighton Collectibles, Francesca’s Collections, H&M, Lush, Pandora, PINK, Vera Bradley and Victoria’s Secret. In addition, shoppers enjoy a variety of dining options, including The Cheesecake Factory and Dave & Buster’s, as well as Starbucks, Great Steak & Potato Company, Zoup!, Chikwich at Fresh Market Grill and more. Orland Square Mall is located in Orland Park, Ill., at the intersection of 151st Street and La Grange Road. For more information, visit www.simon.com/mall/orland-square-mall.

About Gurnee Mills

Located at the intersection of Interstate 94 and Grand Avenue (IL 132) in Gurnee, Ill., Gurnee Mills is the largest shopping destination of its kind in the Chicago area, featuring an unparalleled selection of nearly 200 outlet, and full-price retailers, along with standout dining and entertainment offerings, all under one roof. Top-name brands include Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Forever 21, H&M, Guess Factory Store, Gap Factory, Nike Clearance Store, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, LEGO Brand Retail Store, Charming Charlie, and a full-line Macy’s.

About Chicago Premium Outlets

Chicago Premium Outlets is a Simon center located 38 miles west of downtown Chicago off Interstate 88 at Farnsworth Ave. North in Aurora, Ill. For more than 10 years the center has been a top destination for everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent on fashion and popular brands including Adidas, Kate Spade, 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, the state’s only Restoration Hardware Outlet, eclectic lifestyle designer Robert Graham, high-performance outfitter Arc’teryx, and Clarins luxury skincare. For more information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/chicago.

About Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets

Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets is a Simon center, located 60 miles north of Chicago and 38 miles south of Milwaukee, off Interstate 94 at Highway 165. The 90+ store center is home to designer and brand-name retailers including Adidas, Banana Republic Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Converse, Levi’s Outlet, True Religion Outlet, Timberland Factory Store, Pandora Outlet, Sunglass Hut, UGG, Under Armour and White House Black Market. For more information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/pleasantprairie.

About Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets

Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets is a top shopping destination for great savings on popular brands including Columbia Sportswear, Nike Factory Store, The North Face, Under Armour and Vera Bradley. Located in Michigan City, Ind., one mile from Lake Michigan, the 100-store center is only 45 minutes from South Bend, Ind., 60 minutes from downtown Chicago, and approximately two hours from Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information about Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, visit premiumoutlets.com/lighthouseplace.