Call for Nominations: Live Your Dream Award

The Soroptimist International of the Americas Live Your Dream Award provides financial support to women who are the primary financial providers for themselves and their dependents and are pursuing vocational training or undergraduate education. Recipients may receive up to $16,000 to help cover education-related expenses such as tuition, books, transportation, and childcare.

Overview of the Live Your Dream Award

Soroptimist International of the Americas is accepting nominations for the Live Your Dream Award, a programme designed to support women overcoming financial barriers while pursuing education and career advancement.

The award helps women who are responsible for supporting themselves and their families by providing financial assistance that enables them to continue their studies and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Purpose of the Award

The Live Your Dream Award aims to:

• Support women experiencing financial challenges.
• Increase access to vocational training and undergraduate education.
• Reduce barriers to educational advancement.
• Help women achieve economic independence.
• Provide resources for education-related costs.

Supported Expenses

Award funding may help recipients manage expenses such as:

• Tuition fees.
• Books and educational materials.
• Transportation costs.
• Childcare expenses.
• Other costs connected to completing an education programme.

Award Funding Details

Recipients may receive up to:

$16,000 in financial assistance

Awards are provided through multiple selection levels.

Club-Level Awards

Local Soroptimist clubs select recipients who may receive:

• Approximately $1,000 on average.

Each club selects one first-place recipient to continue to regional judging.

Region-Level Awards

Regional winners may receive:

• $3,000 or $5,000 awards.

Each region selects one first-place recipient for international consideration.

International-Level Awards

Regional first-place recipients become eligible for:

• One of three international awards valued at $10,000 each.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be women who provide the primary financial support for themselves and their dependents.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be enrolled in or accepted into a vocational training, skills development, or undergraduate degree programme.
• Be motivated to achieve education and career goals.
• Reside in an eligible Soroptimist International of the Americas country or territory.

Eligible Countries and Territories

Applicants must live in one of the following locations:

• 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

Who Are Considered Primary Financial Providers?

Applicants may support dependents such as:

• Children.
• Spouses.
• Partners.
• Siblings.
• Parents.

Applicants should demonstrate that they carry the main financial responsibility for themselves and their dependents.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Applicants are not eligible if they:

• Have previously received a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award or Live Your Dream Award.
• Hold a graduate degree.
• Are currently pursuing a graduate degree.
• Are Soroptimist members.
• Are employees of Soroptimist International of the Americas.
• Are immediate family members of Soroptimist members or employees.

Application Requirements

Applicants must:

• Complete all written sections of the application.
• Describe their personal experiences and educational goals.
• Explain how financial support will help them continue their education.
• Submit responses in their own words.

Applicants are encouraged to provide authentic information about their circumstances, challenges, and future goals.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Applications

Applicants may use artificial intelligence tools only for limited support, such as:

• Grammar correction.
• Improving organization.
• Reviewing written clarity.

However, the applicant’s personal story, experiences, and responses must remain their own.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their submissions by:

• Clearly explaining their educational goals.
• Describing financial challenges they have overcome.
• Showing how education will improve their future opportunities.
• Providing specific examples of personal motivation and resilience.
• Explaining how the award will remove barriers to completing education.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Live Your Dream Award?

The Live Your Dream Award is a financial assistance programme that supports women who are the primary financial providers for themselves and their dependents while pursuing education.

How much funding can recipients receive?

Recipients may receive up to $16,000 through different award levels.

What education programmes qualify?

Eligible applicants may be enrolled in vocational training, skills development programmes, or undergraduate degree programmes.

Can women with children apply?

Yes. Women who financially support children or other dependents are eligible if they meet the programme requirements.

Can graduate students apply?

No. Applicants holding or pursuing graduate degrees are not eligible.

Can applicants use AI tools for their applications?

Yes, but only for grammar or organisational support. The applicant’s personal story must be written in their own words.

Conclusion

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award provides important financial support for women who face economic barriers while pursuing education and career opportunities. By helping cover education-related costs, the programme enables women to continue their studies, strengthen their financial independence, and create better futures for themselves and their families.