Education Awards

Education changes futures, increasing employment prospects and income potential.

We believe in the power of educating women and girls

Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore provides cash education awards to help women overcome financial barriers, complete their education, and build a better life for themselves and their families.

Fund a Woman’s Future

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Education Changes Everything

Every year, Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore helps women overcome financial barriers to education through three award programs.

Whether you're pursuing a diploma, degree, apprenticeship, or professional certification, one of these awards may help you take the next step.

Choose the Award that’s right for you!

LIVE YOUR DREAM

For women supporting dependents

Application period: Aug 1-Nov 15

GIVE HER WINGS

For women formerly in foster care

Application period: Aug 1-Nov 15

KWETLAL

For Indigenous women pursuing education

Application period: Aug 1-Nov 15

Since Our Education Awards Program Began

Soroptimist Victoria Westshore Education Award Stats 2026
Soroptimist Victoria Westshore Education Award Stats 2026
Soroptimist Victoria Westshore Education Award Stats 2026

stats as of March 2026

Live Your Dream Award

The Live Your Dream Awards were established in 1972 to assist women with primary financial responsibility for their dependents in obtaining the skills training and education necessary to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.

Recipients are women who have overcome life challenges. These are women – just like you!

Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including:
Books | Childcare | Transportation | Laptop | Tuition | Housing | Exam Fees

Review Eligibility requirements before submitting the application.

The Live Your Dream Awards Program provides three eligible levels of cash awards.
1. The local Soroptimist Club-level
2. The top Club-level award recipient is then eligible for the Region-level awards of either $3,000 or $5,000
3. The top Region-level award recipient then becomes eligible to receive one of three International-level awards of $10,000.

  • You are eligible 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 demonstrated financial need.

    • Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational or skills training program, high school equivalency, or an undergraduate degree program.

    • Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.

    • Resides on Southern Vancouver Island (Nanaimo and south).

    • Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.

    • Does not have a graduate degree.

    • Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas, or immediate family of either.

  • Applications for awards are accepted between August 1st and November 15th of each year. Award recipients are notified in January/February of the following year.

Applications are open from August 1 to November 15 every year.

APPLY NOW

Not applying yet?

Applications open every August. We'll send you one reminder so you don't miss the deadline.

Proudly Sponsored by:

Check out these videos for an overview of how to apply for a Live Your Dream Award, how to strengthen your application, and what to expect after you apply.

Give Her Wings Award

The Give Her Wings Award recognizes women who have transitioned out of the foster care system in Canada and helps them to further their education.

Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including:
Books | Childcare | Transportation | Laptop | Tuition | Housing | Exam Fees

Review Eligibility requirements before submitting the application.

  • You are eligible if you are a woman who:

    • Has transitioned out of the foster care system in Canada.

    • Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational or skills training program, high school equivalency, or an undergraduate degree program..

    • Resides on Southern Vancouver Island (Nanaimo and south).

    • Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas, or immediate family member of either.

    • has not previously received a Soroptimist Give Her Wings award

  • Apply between August 1st and November 15th of each year. Award recipients are notified in January/February of the following year.

Applications are open from August 1 to November 15 every year.

APPLY NOW

Not applying yet?

Applications open every August. We'll send you one reminder so you don't miss the deadline.

Kwetlal Award

The Kwetlal Award assists individuals who self-identify as women and Indigenous, to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.

Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including:
Books | Childcare | Transportation | Laptop | Tuition | Housing | Exam Fees

Review eligibility requirements before submitting the application.

  • Eligible applicants are women who:

    • Self-identify as Indigenous.

    • Reside on Southern Vancouver Island (Nanaimo and south). NOTE: The Canadian Tire Award will be awarded to an applicant that resides in the Victoria Capital Regional District.

    • Are entering or attending a high school equivalency, vocational, technical, undergraduate, or graduate degree program.

    • Are not Soroptimist members, employees of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family member of either.

    • has not previously received a Soroptimist Kwetlal Award.

  • Apply between August 1st and November 15th of each year. Award recipients are notified in mid-February.

Applications are open from August 1 to November 15 every year.

APPLY NOW

Not applying yet?

Applications open every August. We'll send you one reminder so you don't miss the deadline.

Proudly Sponsored By:

Become the Reason a Woman Graduates

FUND AN EDUCATION AWARD

Past Award Recipients

What Our Award Recipients Say

  • Meet Kate: Single Mom of One. Transformed Her Life Against all Odds

    Received the Live Your Dreams Award. Graduated from Camosun College with a diploma in Healthcare.

    “This community of women was instrumental in my journey, not just financially, but emotionally and psychologically. Their belief in my abilities gave me the strength and confidence to take the final steps toward my dream. Today, I stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of supportive communities.”

  • Meet Brooke: Single mom. Completing high school.

    Received the Kwetlal award for Indigenous women. Completed high school and entered Camosun College, to pursue a degree in Nursing.

    “This award means so much to me after all the challenges I have faced. I was in tears to see I was awarded this financial grant. This award will help me further my goals and dreams as I pursue my higher education.”

  • Meet Kara: Give Her Wings Award Recipient

    “To be the best woman, the best person, the best student that I can be. This is what I have been empowered to do by the work of the Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore community and their Give Her Wings award program.”

  • Meet Sarah: Rebuilding Her Life.

    Received the Give Her Wings Award.
    Graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in Social Work.

    “Through applying for this award I was introduced to a community of women that gave support like I'd not experienced before. They viewed me not through my past, not who I was, but by the future that I am capable of having. Having been a youth in foster care and didn't always have a community of holistic support ,this in itself was so very impactful. “

  • Meet Faheema: Live Your Dreams Award Recipient

    “This community and this award have strengthened my path to being the best woman I can be and made me believe in my future that much more.”

  • Meet Janesta: Kwetlal Award Recipient

    My self esteem is pretty strong and receiving the money made going to Camosun that much better!

  • Meet Miah: Live Your Dreams Award Recipient

    Anything is possible which is what the Westshore Soroptimists definitely instilled in me with their gratefully received award!

Soroptimists empower women and girls through education because educated women and girls are:

  • Less vulnerable to sex traffickers

  • More likely to leave a domestic violence situation and not return

  • Able to access healthcare

  • Less likely to live in poverty

  • Able to raise stronger, healthier families

Become the Reason a Woman Graduates

Email Our Partnership Team

Know Someone Who Could Benefit?

You may know:

  • a client

  • a student

  • a single mother

  • a foster youth

  • an Indigenous learner

Help connect her with an education award.

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Education Changes Lives

Every award represents more than financial assistance.

It represents confidence, opportunity, a fresh start, and a community that believes in women's potential.

Whether you're applying, referring someone, funding an award, or volunteering your time - you can help create the next success story.

Questions about Awards?

EMAIL AWARDS COMMITTEE

Fund an Education Award

EMAIL PARTNERSHIP TEAM