Paul Simons Student Essay Scholarship

Each essay must be brief (less than 500 words), typed, and address the theme “How My Community College Has Changed My Life.” Entrants may use “How My Community College Has Changed My Life” as the essay’s
title or create their own title related to the theme.

All entries will be judged on the basis of the following criteria:
• Writing style
• Clarity of expression
• Relevancy to the theme “How My Community College Has Changed My Life”
• Use of correct grammar and punctuation.

★ Failure to follow these rules will result in the disqualification of an essay ★

CONTEST DEADLINES
All CLC essay contest entries must be submitted by 4:30 PM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025. After this deadline, CLC conducts an anonymous review process carried out by faculty members to select the top three essays. CLC acknowledges the three winners by inviting them to read their essay at the April 22, 2025, meeting of the CLC Board of Trustees and awards three prizes of $100 (1st place), $75 (2nd place) and $50 (3rd place). CLC’s first-place winning essay advances as CLC’s submission to the ICCTA Paul Simon Student Essay Contest. The winner of the ICCTA Paul Simon Student Essay Contest will receive a $500 cash stipend for educational expenses during the fall 2025 semester. In addition, ICCTA will invite the winner to attend the association’s June 6, 2025, awards banquet in Normal, Illinois