The B. Kenneth Simon Foundation selects one recipient per year. The scholarship is renewable for four years and has a value of $6,000 per year, or a total value of $24,000 over four years.
Students applying for the scholarship must possess a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students also must possess a combined SAT score of 1100 (critical reading and math) or higher or an ACT composite score of 24 or better.
Students must submit a research paper of between 2,500 and 3,000 words on a topic to be established annually by the scholarship committee. Click here of this year's topic.
Please click here to review the Selection Criteria and Timeline. To download a pdf application, please click here, or if you prefer to submit your application online click here.
B. Kenneth Simon was a business owner dedicated to Pittsburgh and to the business climate throughout the tri-state region.
Simon was a firm believer that successful economies are built from the ground up through free enterprise and independent small businesses. He always wanted to help provide a place where young people could acquire the skills to help them grow their own local companies.
“I would like to see a lot of people who are capable take a shot at being in business for themselves,” said Simon. “It’s a lot of work to be in business for yourself, but there is a lot of gratification that comes from owning your own business.”
Simon, a 1949 graduate of Cornell University, always had a soft spot for Robert Morris University since taking a public speaking course at the university more than 40 years ago. The course, he said, helped to make him a successful businessman and boost his communication and business skills.