Scholarships

According to a Georgetown Public Policy Institute report, 65% of jobs today require some form of post-secondary education. As the need for education beyond high school grows, SYF remains committed to funding a robust scholarship program that enables students to earn the post-secondary credentials and degrees needed for a fulfilling career and life.

Simon Youth Academy Scholarships provide two- and four-year renewable scholarships to Simon Youth Academy graduates. Greg Saunders Legacy Scholarships support dependents of Simon Property Group employees, who represent one of SYF’s most prominent combined supporters. The Shari Simon Greenberg Community Scholarship of the Simon Youth Foundation, re-named in 2020 to honor SYF’s late Vice Chair and Founding Board Member Shari Simon Greenberg, provides one-time scholarships to graduating seniors who live in communities surrounding Simon properties.

Scholarship Spotlight:

Chris

Like many Simon Youth Academy students, Chris credits the one-on-one relationships with his teachers for helping him reach graduation day. Prior to attending Simon Youth Academy at Circle Centre Mall, a partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools, Chris attended two other high schools. Failing to connect with his teachers and feeling unseen in classes of 20 to 30 students, Chris says he gave up by the end of his sophomore year.

Fortunately, Chris found Simon Youth Academy, where the personalized class schedule, encouraging teachers, and unique mall environment helped him catch up on his credits. At his graduation in May 2021, Chris delivered the commencement address – and was surprised with a four-year scholarship that will cover nearly all of his tuition expenses.

Read more about Chris and Simon Youth Academy at Circle Centre Mall in this article from Chalkbeat Indiana. Meet Jack, another SYF graduate and scholarship recipient, and watch his powerful graduation speech to see the difference SYF makes.