Illinois Community College Trustee Association’s Paul Simon Student Essay Contest

The Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s PAUL SIMON STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST provides a $500 scholarship to the student who best describes “How My Community College Has Changed My Life.”

CONTEST RULES
All currently enrolled students at ICCTA member colleges are eligible to participate in the Paul Simon Student Essay Contest at the local level. However, each ICCTA member college may enter only ONE student essay in the statewide competition each year.

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. Each submission must be accompanied by a completed Entry Form.

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 essays must be received BY 5 PM, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024. The winner of the Paul Simon Student Essay Contest will receive a $500 cash stipend for educational expenses during the fall 2024 semester. In addition, ICCTA will invite the winner to attend the association’s June 7, 2024 awards banquet in Normal.

All nominations and support materials should be sent to Chuck Steele, Manager of Student Life, at steelec@cod.edu. For more information, please contact Chuck Steele at steelec@cod.edu or 630-942-2642.