Eligibility

Do I need to have dependents to be eligible for a Live Your Dream Award?

Yes. Women with dependents face unique barriers as they strive to improve their lives while also providing support for their family. Therefore, the Live Your Dream Awards are for women who are the primary financial providers for themselves AND their dependent(s). Dependents include, but are not limited to: children, spouse, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and grandparents.

How important is financial need when applying for a Live Your Dream Award?

The Live Your Dream Awards are for women who are struggling to meet the financial needs of their family while also attending school or a training program. When selecting award recipients, reviewers closely examine the financial need section of the application and compare the applicant's total annual income to total annual expenses. Financial need is then taken into consideration when selecting award recipients.

If I am earning a second undergraduate degree or taking accreditation courses, am I still eligible to apply for a Live Your Dream Award?

Yes. You are eligible to apply if you are working toward a second undergraduate degree or are taking accreditation courses that you need in order to use your bachelor's degree, such as courses for a nurse's or teacher's accreditation certificate.

Can I apply for a Live Your Dream Award if I am enrolled in or have been accepted into a master's degree program?

No. The Live Your Dream Awards program is only for women pursuing an undergraduate degree or attending a vocational/skills training program.

I am not a citizen of the United States, but am living, working and studying in the country. Am I still eligible to apply for a Live Your Dream Award?

Yes. As long as you meet all other requirements of the award, including having a Social Security number or a Tax ID number, you are eligible to apply.

I have received a Live Your Dream Award in the past. Can I apply again?

No. If you have already received a Live Your Dream Award, you are ineligible to apply.

If I am related to a Soroptimist member am I eligible to apply for an award?

If you are an immediate family member of a Soroptimist, you are ineligible to apply. Immediate family is defined to include parents, siblings, children and grandchildren by adoption, blood or marriage. If you are related in a way that is not defined as "immediate," you are eligible to apply.

Completing the Application

How do I complete my application in the online Application System?

To start your application, enter your zip code here. You'll then be redirected to our online Application System where you can create an account, complete the eligibility survey and begin the application process. Once you have an account, you can sign in at any time to continue completing your application or check on your application status. For any additional questions, contact our program team at lydawards@soroptimist.org.

Who will read my application? Will my personal statement be made public?

Only Soroptimist club members and award judges will have access to your application. Your complete application, including your personal statement, will remain confidential. Should you receive an award, your information will be shared only if your consent is granted.

I am not sure how to figure out my annual income and expenses. Can you help me?

If you are not sure what your annual income and expenses are, simply multiply your monthly income and expenses by 12, or your weekly income and expenses by 52.

Obtaining References

Can I use a family member as a reference?

No. You will need someone who is not related to you to serve as your reference.

Who can I ask to be a reference?

It is recommended that you request references from people who know you from an education or work setting, such as teachers, advisers, supervisors and co-workers.

Does my reference need to use the reference form or can they submit a letter of recommendation?

After you designate your reference(s) in the Application System, they will receive an invitation to complete an online reference form. Letters of recommendation or any other type of reference other than the official reference form will not be accepted.

Submitting the Application

When is the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award application due?

All award applications are due by November 15 of each year. Applications may be submitted online through Soroptimist's Application System between August 1 and November 15 of each year.

For Applicants

Where do I submit my application?

Please submit the application via the online Application System.

Can I submit my application to more than one Soroptimist club?

No. Each applicant may only submit one application to one club.

What happens after I submit my application?

If you live near a Soroptimist club, your application will be sent to the nearby club you select during the online submission process. If you do not live near a Soroptimist club, your application will be submitted to Soroptimist Headquarters for judging. A panel of judges will review your application and select an award recipient. Once a recipient is selected, applicants will be notified whether or not they have won an award.

I was selected for an award! Now what?

If you are selected to receive an award, your Social Security number or Tax ID number and address will be requested for tax purposes, you will be asked to complete Form 1099MISC if your award is over USD $600, and you will be issued a check in the amount of your award.

What if I did not get selected to receive an award?

Sadly, there are always more eligible applicants than available awards. If you did not receive an award this year, try applying again next year (assuming you still meet all eligibility requirements at that time). In the meantime, we encourage you to seek out other means of financial support for head-of-household women. Try singlemothersgrants.org or www.spaoa.org.