Live Your Dream Education & Training Awards for Women 2026-2027: applications are now open on the SIA application portal from 1 August until 15 November 2026, the deadline for applying. Studies must not have been completed at the time each level of Award is given in 2027. Decision for Club level awards is made by February 15. The top recipient’s application is then sent to the Region for judging at that level by April.
With funding from the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada, SICWO is delighted to again offer several Live Your Dream Awards in 2027 of $1,500 each to eligible women supporting their families while studying in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, all of Manitoba, and in rural British Columbia more than 75 miles from nearest Soroptimist club.
Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards program is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.
Every year, Soroptimist distributes more than $2.9 million in education awards to over 2,000 women all over the world.
Over half of our Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families we serve have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation.
ELIGIBILITY
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 program 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, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, United States of America, 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.
Education is the pathway to economically empowering women and girls.
When Women Learn – families live healthier lives
When Girls Go to School – they are more likely to get paying jobs and their financial contributions to their families—and their nations—increase
When Girls Have Educated Moms – they are more likely to be enrolled in school and to reach higher levels of education
When Women are Educated – their countries are more likely to have greater economic growth
Since 1972, we’ve distributed over $41 million in education awards to 41,000 women making a better life for themselves and their families.
86% of Live Your Dream Award recipients completed their education and improved their standard of living
74% of recipients who completed their educational degree or certification secured higher-paying employment
93% of recipients report the award has increased their self-esteem
RESULTS for 2025-2026
Thanks to funding from the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada, SICWO was delighted to present five Live Your Dream Awards of $1,500 each to deserving women studying in the Yukon and Manitoba while supporting their families. See News for brief bios of four recipients.