Opry Mills 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 Opry Mills 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 March 1.

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

Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2017 and lives in the community surrounding a Simon property is eligible. Applicants can check their eligibility by entering their ZIP code at syf.org/scholarships. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, or vocational or technical school.

In 2016, the Simon Youth Foundation awarded $1.2 million to 300 students nationwide.

“The cost of college continues to rise, and SYF is proud to partner with Opry Mills 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 families to pursue a postsecondary education will also be given close consideration.

Recipients will be notified in May.

About SYF

SYF is a national nonprofit 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 diplomas, and more than $16 million in scholarships has been awarded. Visit syf.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@simon_youth) or Instagram (@simonyouthfoundation) for updates.

About Opry Mills

Opry Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Tennessee, features a great collection of fashion-forward stores such as Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Coach Factory Store, Cole Haan, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Forever 21, Nike Factory Store, Gap Outlet, Lucky Brand Outlet and Bass Pro Shops, as well as the state’s first H&M location. Shoppers can also enjoy quality dining and entertainment at Rainforest Cafe, Aquarium Restaurant, Dave & Buster’s, and Regal Cinemas Opry Mills Stadium 20 & IMAX. Opry Mills’ famous Entertainment Stage and Tennessee Treasures play area further enhance the family shopping experience.

Opry Mills is conveniently located 7 miles from downtown Nashville, in Opryland off Briley Parkway at exit 11, and is within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry and the 2,800-room Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on Opry Mills, please call 615-514-1000 or visit www.oprymills.com. Like Opry Mills on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OpryMills, and follow us on Twitter @shOpryMills and on Instagram @shOpryMills.

About Simon

Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and an S&P 100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE: SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual retail sales. For more information, visit www.simon.com.