The Live Your Dream: Education and Training Award for Women® offers three levels of cash awards. Eligible applicants can submit their application from August 1 to November 15. Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards recipient has the potential to receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, purchase books, get transportation, or find reliable childcare so she can worry less about how to pay her bills and focus on achieving her education dreams.
The first level of judging occurs at the club level. Please note that each club has their own judging process, timeline, and award amount. Most clubs announce their recipients between January and April.
Timelines to receive funds are dependent on your local club.
Award Levels
Recipients have the potential to receive $1,000 - $16,000 to further their education:
$1,000
Club-Level
Award amounts vary, but club-level recipients receive an average of $1,000 from a local Soroptimist club. Each club selects one first-place recipient to move on to the next level of judging.
$5,000
Region-Level
Each club’s first-place recipient is eligible for a $3,000 or $5,000 region-level award. Each region selects one first-place recipient to move on to the next level of judging.
$10,000
International-Level
Each region’s first-place recipient is eligible for one of three international-level awards.
Before going any further, make sure you are eligible. You are eligible to apply if you are a woman who:
Provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.
Has financial need.
Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training or an undergraduate degree program.
Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.
Resides in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guam, Honduras, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.
Does not have a graduate degree and is not pursuing one currently.
Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either.
Agrees to complete all written sections in your own words, reflecting your real experiences and goals. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may help with grammar or organization, but your story must be your own.
Women from the U.S. (including territories) and Canada can start their application below-check out the tips for applying too.
The Live Your Dream Award has been a tremendous blessing for me in helping me to conquer my dreams and it gave me this boost of confidence to keep pressing forward.
