[WORCESTER, MA]– For a twelfth 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 from Tuesday, January 17, to Thursday, March 1, 2012.

Locally, students can pick up a copy of a scholarship application at the Simon Guest Services Center at Solomon Pond Mall and Auburn 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 2012 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,400 to students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.

In 2011, the Simon Youth Scholarships program awarded $1.15 million to 260 students nationwide. 

“Our mission is to ignite hope for a brighter future in students, and our Foundation is proud to partner with Solomon Pond Mall, Auburn Mall and Greendale 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.

The2012 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 byMarch 1, 2012.

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 8,000 students earn their high school diploma and provided more than $9.7 million in college scholarships to 3,200 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 Solomon Pond Mall

Solomon Pond Mall offers more choices with Macy's, JC Penney, Shoe Dept at Encore and Sears as well as over 100 specialty shops.  The shops include: American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Bare Escentuals, Banana Republic, Chico's, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Forever 21, Gymboree, Hollister,  J Jill, Lucky Brand Jeans, Swarovski, Talbot's, The Walking Company, Victoria's Secret, and White House/Black Market. Solomon Pond Mall also offers Bertucci’s, TGI Friday, and eight food court establishments. There is also Regal Cinema.

About Auburn Mall

Auburn Mall’s Department Stores are Macy’s, Macy’s Home and Sears. The mall fabric includes shops such as: Aeropostale, Aldo Shoe, American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Russe, Express, Forever 21, Gymboree, Hollister, Kay Jewelers, New York & Company, Famous Footwear, The Hallmark Store, FyE, Game Stop, The Hallmark Store, Olympia Sports, Victoria’s Secret, and many more.

About Greendale Mall

Greendale Mall features Best Buy, Big Lots!, DSW Shoe Wearhouse, TJ MAXX & More, Worlds Gym and a collection of specialty stores including: Bath & Body Works, American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale, Lenscrafters, Game Stop, Footlocker, Rue 21, The Children’s Place and more!