Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Chacko and Lize Simon Scholarship Fund

The Chacko and Lize Simon Scholarship Fund is a non-profit scholarship provider created in 1994 by Dr. Pullikattil Chacko Simon. Its original purpose was to offer post-secondary scholarships to talented young people from extremely poor families in and around the village of Keekozhur, in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. Over time, its reach expanded and, since 2015, the fund also supports low-income students in the Greater Vancouver Area of British Columbia, Canada. The organization focuses on enabling access to college, university and technical training for students who would otherwise be unable to continue their education.

The fund provides direct financial assistance in the form of scholarships, with awards paid straight to the educational institutions attended by the recipients. In India, an on-the-ground agent recruits applicants, screens them through interviews and home visits, and compiles detailed documentation including academic records, income statements and reference letters. These applications are then reviewed by a five‑member Board of Directors based in Vancouver, which decides on allocations.

In British Columbia, the fund operates a structured scholarship program for students from low-income families in the Greater Vancouver Area who plan to attend a university, community college or technical institute in the province. Program guidelines specify award amounts ranging from approximately $500 to $3,000 for one year, with clear criteria emphasizing both financial need and strong academic performance. Detailed documentation is required, including proof of income, references, transcripts, and a biographical profile. Applications are due March 1 each year, and applicants are informed of decisions by May 1.

Since 1996, the Chacko and Lize Simon Scholarship Fund reports having granted 5,422 scholarships to students enrolled in more than 75 post-secondary institutions. Recipients pursue a wide range of disciplines such as teaching, nursing, medical technology, engineering, law, agriculture, commerce, computer studies, and more. A dedicated page lists many of the schools attended by scholarship holders across India, illustrating the geographic and institutional breadth of its support.

Beyond formal scholarships, the fund provides emergency aid for projects like house repair after natural disasters, medical expenses, and the provision of school supplies. It also sponsors an annual Christmas Feast and gift distribution for indigent residents around Keekozhur, honouring the memory of Dr. Simon’s mother and reinforcing the fund’s community-based roots.

The scholarship fund is governed by a Board of five Directors, including Dr. P. Chacko Simon and long-standing volunteers with experience in law, real estate, scientific research and nonprofit management. Several directors have received national honours in Canada for their charitable and community service. The board oversees both the Indian and British Columbia scholarship streams, approves awards, and ensures that scholarship payments are made directly to educational institutions for proper use.

Through its combination of structured scholarship programs and targeted charitable aid, the Chacko and Lize Simon Scholarship Fund plays a focused role in supporting education as a pathway out of poverty in parts of India and in British Columbia.