Soroptimist International of the Langleys
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Apply for a Live Your Dream Award

 Supporting yourself and your family while going to school or training for a new career can be a lot to carry.

The Live Your Dream Award provides money to help women continue their education and move toward the future they’re working for.


 Applications open August 15 • Deadline November 15 

Start your application

Maya's Story

"I read that a women’s organization was giving money to women who were going to school. 

I wondered what the catch was."


"I’m raising two kids and going to school to become a nurse. Money is tight, but we’re getting by."


Then I found out this award was created for women like me.

Maya’s story is one example. Yours may look different

  You may be studying full-time or part-time. You may have children, support a parent or partner, or have other people depending on you. You may be in university, trades training, upgrading or another eligible program.


You don’t need to see your exact life reflected here to belong here.

Money to help you keep going

 The Live Your Dream Award provides cash awards to women who are working toward a better future through education or training.


The money can help with things such as:

  • Tuition
  • Books & supplies
  • Transportation
  • Childcare
  • Other education-related costs


You do not have to pay the award back.

How much could I receive?

Award amounts vary. 


Soroptimist clubs select local recipients and determine their local award amounts. Some recipients may also be considered for larger awards at the regional and international levels. 


You don’t need to know how much you might receive before you apply. 


Start by finding out whether the award could be for you. 

Maya's Story

"I imagined a huge form and lots of paperwork."


"Once I knew what I needed, it felt much more manageable." 


I could do this one part at a time. 

Could the Live Your Dream Award be for you?

Here’s what you’ll be asked about

YOURSELF

YOUR EDUCATION

YOUR EDUCATION

Basic information about you and the people who depend on you. 

YOUR EDUCATION

YOUR EDUCATION

YOUR EDUCATION

What you’re studying or training for. 

YOUR GOALS

YOUR EDUCATION

YOUR GOALS

The career and future you’re working toward. 

YOUR STORY

YOUR FINANCES

YOUR GOALS

What you want reviewers to understand about your life and circumstances.

YOUR FINANCES

YOUR FINANCES

YOUR FINANCES

Income, expenses, education costs and financial support.

A REFERENCE

YOUR FINANCES

YOUR FINANCES

Someone who knows you and can support your application. 

  You do not have to complete the whole application at once. 

Ask your reference early

 You’ll need one completed reference before you can submit your application. A second is optional.

Your reference might be:

  • Teacher
  • Mentor
  • Counsellor
  • Supervisor
  • Colleague
  • Case manager


You do not need to ask them for a letter.

The application sends your reference an online form to complete.


Ask sooner rather than later.

You can keep working on the rest of your application while you wait.

Maya's Story

"Tell my story?!"


"I didn't know where to begin. I didn't want anyone to feel sorry for me, and I'm not very good at talking about myself."


Then I stopped trying to write the perfect story.

Try answering these 4 questions

1. Where am I now?

  • Who depends on you?
  • What are you balancing while going to school?
  • What would help someone understand your life right now?

2. What am I working toward?

  • What are you studying or training to do?
  • Why did you choose it? 
  • What do you hope it will make possible?

3. What's making it hard?

  • What makes staying in school difficult?
    • Childcare
    • Transportation
    • Working while studying
    • Everyday bills
    • Something completely different


4. How could this award help?

 

  • What could some extra financial help change?
    • Books
    • Childcare
    • Transportation
    • Fewer hours at work
    • Giving your household a little more breathing room


You don’t need to sound like anyone else

 Use your own words.

Short sentences are fine.

Everyday language is fine.

Perfect grammar is not the point.

Your application should sound like you.


If you choose to use AI tools, read  AI Usage Guidelines for Applicants .

Maya's Story

"Talking about money made me nervous."


"I worried they might judge my choices."


Then I realized they needed the information to understand what financial help could mean for my family.

This isn't about judging how you spend your money.

 Sharing your income and expenses helps reviewers understand your financial situation.

MONEY COMING IN

  • Employment income
  • Child support
  • Government assistance
  • Grants or scholarships
  • Student loans
  • Savings
  • Other household support

MONEY GOING OUT

  • Housing
  • Food
  • Utilities
  • Childcare
  • Transportation
  • School costs
  • Books and supplies
  • Health expenses

Estimates are okay when you don't have an exact number.

Do your best to give a clear picture.

If your expenses are higher than your income, that does not automatically mean something is wrong with your application. 


Explain how you're currently making ends meet.


Need help working out the numbers?

Live Your Dream Awards Annual Financial Section Tips Worksheet

Live Your Dream Awards Monthly Financial Section Tips Worksheet

Maya's Story

"I want to become a nurse and build a more secure future for my family."


"Now I wasn't writing about what was hard."


I was writing about what could be possible.

Tell us where you're going

 You'll have up to 300 words to describe your education and career goals.

If you're not sure where to start, try these questions.

What am I studying?

 Tell us about the education or training you're taking now.

What kind of work do I hope to do?

You don't need your whole career planned.

Tell us what you're working toward now.

Why does this matter to me?

Maybe you want:

  • work you enjoy
  • a more stable income
  • more opportunities
  • to use what you're learning to help others


What could change?

Think beyond finishing school.

  • What could this education mean for you?
  • What could it mean for the people who depend on you?

Need help with the application website?

Create your application

Create your application

Create your application

 Step-by-step instructions for registering and starting your Live Your Dream application. 

Start your application

Choose your local club

Create your application

Create your application

 During the application, you'll be asked to select a participating Soroptimist club. 

Choose your club

Watch the help videos

Create your application

Watch the help videos

 Prefer to see how it works?

Follow along with the videos.

Watch videos

Almost there

Before you submit, review this list

☐ I've completed all required sections.

☐ I've explained what I'm studying and what I'm working toward.

☐ I've told my story in my own words.

☐ I've included enough financial information to explain my situation.

☐ At least one reference has completed their form.

☐ I've selected my local Soroptimist club.

☐ I've looked over my application one more time.


 It doesn't have to be perfect to be ready. 

Start My Application

Have a question about the Live Your Dream Award?

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