Scholarships and Awards

Mia Day, Sarah Amesbury, Trinity Supelana-Mix, Catherine (Cat) Prescott, Megan Pickett, Madison (Madi) Gray, Kelly Arana-Sandoval, Abigail Lambert, Tara Vivrett, Sofia Rodriguez, Alexa DeLaCruz, Yvonne

 

Every year Soroptimist International distributes more than $2.9 million in education awards to over 2,000 women all over the world.

Locally here in Ashland our Soroptimist club awards between $15,000 and $25,000 annually to girls and women in our community through five different scholarships. Our goal in the next decade is to expand this program to reach a greater diversity of women by increasing both funding and number of scholarships we offer. 

Continuing Education:

  • Live Your Dream Award is Soroptimist of America’s signature awards project. It aids female heads of households seeking to improve their economic status by gaining additional skills, training and education
  • Professional & Technical Award (COMING SOON!)

Scholarships for High School Graduating Seniors:

  • Vicki Smith Memorial Scholarship (Ashland High School)
  • Vo-Tech (Ashland & Phoenix High Schools)

Scholarships for enrolled students at Southern Oregon University (SOU)

  • SOU Grant-in-Aid
  • SOU Athletic Award

 

 

Sarah Amesbury,  2023 Live Your Dream Award Recipient

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications are accepted from August 1 through November 15

Funds paid directly to recipient

Click here to apply 

Live Your Dream (LYD) Award is for women who are the primary source of support for their families. Award recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education such as books, childcare, tuition or transportation. Awardees at the local-level become eligible to win an additional award up to $5,000 from the larger Northwest Region of SI-America. Learn more of the history here

In 2023 SI Ashland awarded three LYD awards for a total of  $6,500

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Applicant (details here) provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.
  • Has financial need.
  • Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.
  • Resides in the Rogue Valley
  • Does not have a graduate degree

For more information click here 

 

 

 

Tara Vivrett and Trinity Supelana-Mix, 2023 Vicki Smith Memorial Scholarship Award Recipients

 

 

Application deadline FEBRUARY

Funds Paid Directly to College or University of Choice

HOW TO APPLY: Contact Ashland High School Counseling Office

The Vicki Smith Memorial Scholarship recognizes young women who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and have the potential to be role models for other women in their career.  Selection criteria include scholastic achievement, community/school  involvement or demonstrated volunteer ethic.

In 2023, SI Ashland awarded two scholarships for a total of $4,800

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Ashland High School graduating female student
  • Accepted or pending acceptance into a four-year college or university
  • Cumulative GPA 3.25 or higher
 

Madison (Madi) Gray 2023 SOU Athletic Recipient

 

Application deadline April 15

Funds paid directly to Southern Oregon University

How to apply: Nominations are made by the coaches of each sport with a maximum of two nominations per sport. Selection and interviews are conducted by SI Ashland and approved by the SOU foundation

SOU Athletic scholarships are awarded to female students based on their athletic abilities,  contribution to the team, and community service.

In 2023, SI Ashland awarded two scholarships for a total of $5,000

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Women athletes participating in NAIA Intercollegiate varsity sports
  • Cumulative minimum GPA 3.0 at time selection of the award is made
  • Demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities
  • Involvement in community service

 

2022 SOU Grant-in-Aid Award Recipient

How to apply: Complete the Southern Oregon Scholarship application here prior to March 15th

Southern Oregon Scholarship Application - Financial Aid & Scholarships

Funds paid directly by SOU to cover tuition and other educational expenses

Our SOU Grant-in-Aid scholarships are awarded to women enrolled at Southern Oregon University to assist their completion of a 4-year degree.  Awardees are selected based on scholastic achievement, contribution to the community, and desire to enter a profession of service.

In 2023, SI Ashland awarded one scholarship for $3,000

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Eligible students must be full-time Juniors or Seniors enrolled at SOU
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better with a declared major in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Financial need

 

2023 VoTech Award Recipients

Application deadline FEBRUARY

Funds paid directly to college,  university or educational institution of choice

How to apply:  Contact Ashland or Phoenix High School Counseling Office

Our VoTech scholarships are awarded to female students enrolling in a community college or technical school and seeking a technical certificate, license, or associate degree. Selection criteria include community and school involvement, demonstrated volunteer ethic, and a desire to enter a field of trade or technical field. Not available to students entering a 4-year degree program.

In 2023, SI Ashland awarded six scholarships for a total of $4,000

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Graduating Senior at either Ashland or Phoenix High School
  • Accepted or pending acceptance into an accredited vocational or technical program
  • Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
  • Demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and presents a plan to maximize her career potential

 

 

 

Wendy Ray

 

Application deadline FEBRUARY

Funds Paid Directly to College or University of Choice

HOW TO APPLY: Contact Ashland High School Counseling Office

In honor of past Soroptimist member Wendy Ray, whose unwavering efforts to help those in need made her a lifelong change-maker within the Ashland community, this Scholarship is awarded to a woman graduating from Ashland High School who has financial need and demonstrates a desire to positively contribute to her community.

Additional selection criteria include scholastic achievement, community/school  involvement and demonstrated volunteer ethic.

Preference will be given to students living in a single-parent household.

This is a new scholarship to be awarded in Spring 2025.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Ashland High School graduating female.
  • Acceptance or pending acceptance into a four-year college or university.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Financial need