Women's Opportunity Award Program

Website: Soroptimist

Description

Women's Opportunity Awards are cash awards that recipients may use for any expenses related to their educational pursuits. These include tuition and books, housing, child care and transportation. These awards are not scholarships. The program begins at the community level, where award amounts vary. Local winners then become eligible to receive region–level awards. Every year, 29 geographic regions throughout North, Central and South America, and Asia each grant one $5,000 first–place award, and two $3,000 awards. These 29 first–place winners become eligible to receive one of three $10,000 finalist awards.

History

The Women's Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist's major project. Through the program, clubs in 19 countries and territories assist women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects. Each year, more than $1 million is disbursed through cash awards at various levels of the organization. Recipients, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse, may use the awards to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare and transportation.

Eligibility

  • Must be female heads of household
  • Enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Cannot have already earned an undergraduate degree
  • Only residents of Soroptimist International of the Americas' 18 member countries and territories are eligible to apply
*International students may be eligible for this scholarship*
Gender
For: Female
Other
  • Financial Need Based

Procedure

Application and procedures are available on the website.
  • Completed
  • Personal Statement
  • Two references

Contact Information

Region Chair Diana Hintz 93412 River Road Junction City, OR 97448

Award Details

Number of Awards
29
Award Amount
$3,000 & $5,000 & $10,000

Deadlines

  • 2009-12-01: National Deadline