Simon Youth Foundation seeks applicants for $1 million in scholarships

BIRCH RUN, Mich. (January 18, 2017) – Birch Run Premium Outlets is once again proud to help a deserving graduating senior pay for college. Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, is now looking for qualified applicants who live near Birch Run Premium Outlets and the surrounding community.

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, 2017.

Students can apply online by visiting syf.org/scholarships.

SYF will award 25 scholarships to students graduating in the class of 2017 who live in communities surrounding 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 2016, the Simon Youth Foundation awarded $1.2 million to 300 students nationwide. Locally, Valley Lutheran High School and Flushing High School had recipients.

“The cost of college continues to rise, and SYF is proud to partner with Birch Run 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 Dr. J. Michael Durnil, SYF President and CEO.

The 2017 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.

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 29 Simon Youth Academies in 12 states. In the organization’s 18-year history, more than 14,000 students have earned their diploma and more than $16 million in scholarships have been awarded. Visit syf.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@simon_youth), or Instagram (@simonyouthfoundation) for updates.

About Birch Run Premium Outlets

Located just minutes from Frankenmuth, Birch Run Premium Outlets is a top destination for unbeatable savings on popular brand name retailers, including Express, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Nike Factory Store, The North Face, and Under Armour. For more information about Birch Run Premium Outlets, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/birchrun or follow Birch Run Premium Outlets on Facebook at facebook.com/birchrunpremiumoutlets and follow Birch Run Premium Outlets on Twitter twitter.com/BirchRunPO.