Grants and Scholarships

Live Your Dream Grant and Minnesota North College LPN Scholarship

Live your Dream

SI Virginia is proud to be part of SIA’s Live Your Dream grant program, providing women, heads of households who are returning to school to improve their economic empowerment with a strings-free grant. Women may use the funds provided for whatever they deem necessary, as we understand that women know what they and their families need. Each year, at least one area woman receives a $1,000 grant from SI Virginia and is entered to receive higher grants in regional and national competitions. Thanks to the support of our communities through our fundraisers, last year we were able to award an additional $500 grant and we will continue to expand our grant program as we are able.

Our 2025 grant opportunity is open now through November 15th. Apply below or, please, help a woman you know do so. Often, recipients confess they almost didn’t apply as their plates are already so full with work, children and school.

LiveYourDream.org is a movement fiercely dedicated to ensuring every woman and girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential, be free from violence, and live her dreams.

Previous Award Recipients

Phyllis Rayton arrived in Minnesota from Kansas with her three children in tow, fleeing abuse. Promises to help her family from her estranged father fell through and she found herself living in a hotel, where she was working as a maid, struggling to get by. Thanks to her inner strength and perseverance, she partnered with the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity and was able to provide her family a stable home. She returned to school and now is a successful caterer and multiple time winner of the area’s “Spirit of Hospitality Award.” She is also the caterer of choice for SI Virginia!

Danielle Richards, from Wright, is 33 years of age with one child aged twelve. She is attending Fon du Lac Tribal and Community College, pursuing a nursing degree. Her focus with this degree would primarily be helping others that are suffering from addiction and mental health problems. Danielle herself was molested by a close friend when she was six or seven years old and this went on for one year. Her eighteen-year-old brother committed suicide in her driveway while all were sleeping. She got pregnant, married, but right after that her husband started cheating on her, not coming home at night, was verbally abusive and refused to find a job. By this time her daughter was five months old, they were divorced and she, with her daughter, was living in a trailer in her mother’s backyard. Danielle has worked full-time while going to school. Getting her nursing degree is her first step to pursuing a better life for them and showing her daughter that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it.

“Paige Betters, from Hibbing, is 29 years old with one young child, age five. She is currently attending Southern New Hampshire University and working towards her bachelor’s degree in psychology and substance abuse counseling. She has had many struggles in her life from being abused, most of it going into the drug work, spending time in prison, having to give three children up for adoption, referring back to drugs but, then, finally taking hold of her life by moving out of state, getting treatment, getting her life back on track for she did not want to lose her fourth child.”

LPN MNC Scholarship

SI Virginia recognizes the importance of licensed practical nurses here on the Iron Range. Because of this knowledge, SI Virginia established a scholarship for a second year, female LPN student who has maintained a 3.0 grade point average. As of 2024, SI Virginia has contributed $25,000 toward the education of # nursing students!

NEXT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY IN 2025. CLICK LINK HERE AT THAT TIME

Past Winners

2024-25 Soroptimist Scholarship was unable to be awarded.

Wendy Sanchez, the 2023-24 Soroptimist Scholarship recipient: “I grew up in a small town in Southern MN. I have five brothers and one sister. It was stressful growing up with a lot of siblings, especially being the second oldest in the family…I've learned a lot from growing up in a big family. 

<A time that made a big impact on my decision to help others is> when a resident was actively passing and his daughter lived a few hours away, so she had to make the drive. I know he didn't want to be alone so in my own time I went in and sat him till the daughter arrived. I sat with him for 4 hours. I knew he would appreciate it and when the daughter got there she told me how much she appreciated me staying with him till she got there. I would have to say everything I do for my residents is for them.

As of right now I am proud of almost finishing my first semester of nursing school. It’s been hard, I have had my mental breakdowns, but I made it through. I have had my doubts about coming into this program but I have people that are helping me push through and that believe in me.  <Receiving this award reinforces that!>

Laura Larrivy, 2022-2023 Soroptimist Scholarship winner:  “Thank you for choosing me for the Soroptimist Scholarship Award of $1,000.  I am appreciative, as this award alleviates some of the financial burdens and stress of affording college.  This allows me to shift my focus more towards my education.  Again, thank you so much for choosing me as a recipient, I am incredibly grateful, and it will not be taken for granted or wasted.”

Banurekha Sukumaran, 2021-2022 Soroptimist Scholarship winner: “My future education goals is to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and volunteer or set up a organization for people of less advantage and less income because I myself was once in that position.  And this scholarship will help me cut my hours a little bit and stay home with my children and save me on child care.  My biggest goal is to graduate from the Practical Nursing Diploma with <the> best grades, it is very difficult to work so many hours and study at the same time.  I would be interested to continue my education all the way to Master’s in Nursing.  So my education goal does not stop here, and I am an example to my children to continue my education and be successful in my education.  And I have always looked forward to studying and getting my classes, even while there are financial circumstances, I am always ready to face the battle and would not give up my dream. Thank you!”