Soroptimist International of Mount Vernon and Knox County is accepting applications for the Live Your Dream award. The Live Your Dream award provides a financial award to offset costs associated with attaining higher education.

“The Live Your Dream award was created for non-traditional students,” said Becky Chamberlin, chair of the Soroptimist of Mount Vernon Live Your Dreams award committee. “The awards are for women who have overcome some struggles in their lives, and are now supporting their families while also going to school to make their lives better.”

This year, the club will be selecting three women to receive the awards. The top award winner will receive $2,000. The top winner will also be eligible for additional awards within the Soroptimist organization.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a woman with primary financial responsibility for herself and her dependents, attend an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need. The deadline for applying is Nov. 15. Applications must be submitted online at bit.ly/LYDA-apply

“One of the club’s biggest challenges is ensuring eligible women are aware of the award,” Chamberlin said. “If you know a woman who is raising her family and going to college, please tell her to apply!”

Previous winners have attended MVNU, COTC, and other nearby universities and technical schools.

Soroptimist of Mount Vernon and Knox County is part of Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. The local Mount Vernon Club supports local women and girls through financial awards and educational programs.

The Live Your Dream Awards has disbursed almost $35 million in awards to tens of thousands of women since the award-winning program began in 1972. A 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, Soroptimist also powers LiveYourDream.org®, an online community that offers volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls.