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VSP Vision + AAOF Practice Excellence Scholarship is a grant from VSP Vision and the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) that funds fourth-year optometry students across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada who demonstrate business acumen, leadership, and a commitment to excellence in optometric practice.
The scholarship supports students transitioning from academic training into professional careers by rewarding outstanding achievement and practice readiness. Awards are provided through the AAOF in partnership with VSP Vision, a leading vision care company dedicated to supporting the next generation of eye care professionals.
Award amounts vary by scholarship category; applicants should visit the AAOF website for current cycle details and deadlines.
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VSP Helps Optometry Students Invest in Their Future Career Explore a variety of scholarships offered to students of optometry Explore a variety of scholarships offered to students of optometry Continuing a Legacy of Excellence: John Luder Receives 2026 Dr. Frank D.
Fontana Memorial Scholarship VSP Vision Announces Dr. Marvin Poston Leadership Award Recipients VSP Vision Announces $10,000 Winner of 2025 Premier Edge Student Business Challenge VSP Vision Recognizes Annette Kretov as Winner of 2025 Rick Bay Student Innovator Competition VSP Ventures and UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry Award Monica Thu Do 2025 Hisaka Memorial Scholarship Practice Excellence Scholarship The Practice Excellence Scholarship is a long-standing, prestigious award recognizing outstanding achievement in patient care and practice management—awarded by VSP Vision™ in collaboration with the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF).
Through this scholarship, two fourth-year students at every accredited optometry school in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada are awarded up $4,000 each . Each winner also receives a travel grant to attend the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) annual meeting. Each applicant must be a student member of the AAO.
Each institution’s Awards and Scholarship Committee selects a pool of five business-minded students who meet the clinical and academic standards and chooses two scholarship recipients. Students can contact their school’s financial aid office to learn more about VSP’s commitment to the AAO scholarship program.
Congratulations to the 2025 winners: Read the Press Release Propel Student Business Challenge Scholarship, Powered by PECAA In collaboration with the Association of Practice Management Educators (APME) and Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN), the Propel Student Business Challenge, Powered by PECAA is a scholarship opportunity for optometry students interested in a path to private practice ownership.
One optometry student is awarded one (1) $10,000 scholarship , plus a travel grant to the annual SOLN Conference. In addition, two (2) runners-up are awarded $5,000 each , plus a travel grant to the annual SOLN Conference.
Each applicant must be a current student attending one of the 26 schools or colleges of optometry with a SOLN-affiliated Private Practice Club, and Be an active Private Practice Club board member representative from their school of optometry. PECAA judges will evaluate and select the top three candidates, who will be contacted to present their business plans at the 2026 SOLN Conference where the official winner will be announced.
Applicants must submit a business plan that describes their professional and personal plan to private practice ownership.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners: Read the Press Release Winner: Brooke Pratt, Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry, class of 2026 Runners-up: Harleen Dhaliwal, Midwestern University, Chicago College of Optometry, class of 2027; Daniel Spears, Southern College of Optometry, class of 2027 Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Awards The Dr. Marvin R.
Poston Leadership Award honors the legacy of Dr. Poston—the first Black optometrist on the West Coast and co-founder of VSP Vision. This scholarship is awarded in collaboration with the National Optometric Association (NOA). Five optometry students—one from each cohort year plus an Executive Board member—are recognized for their leadership, service, and commitment to diversity.
Each winner receives a $4,000 scholarship. Applicants must be active members of the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), and Demonstrate leadership and a strong commitment to the profession. 2026 Applications are Open!
Apply by May 17, 2026 Applicants must create and submit a short video about themselves, their experience, and what drives them towards a path to private practice optometry.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners: Read the Press Release Jordan Buchanan – Kentucky College of Optometry, Class of 2028 Melanie Carrión – Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry, class of 2027 Malia McDowell – University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, class of 2026 Dominica Dzakah – Drexel University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, class of 2025 Angelica Moss – Indiana University School of Optometry, class of 2027 In collaboration with the Rick Bay Foundation, the Student Innovator Award recognizes optometry students for their creative, innovative, and feasible solutions poised to have a significant impact on the future of optometry.
This scholarship is facilitated by Jobson Optical Group and honors the legacy of the late Rick Bay, former publisher and president of Jobson’s Review of Optometry and Review of Ophthalmology. Each winner received a $5,000 scholarship to help bring their ideas to life.
Applicants present their ideas to a panel that typically includes faculty and staff from the host schools and sponsoring industry partner representatives, and representatives from VSP’s Schools of Optometry Program Team and the VSP Global Innovation Center.
Congratulations to the 2025 winners: Angela Deng and Ami Kshatriya – UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, class of 2026 Annette Kretov – The Ohio State University College of Optometry (OSU), class of 2028 Michelle Shang and Megan Ngo – New England College of Optometry, class of 2026 and 2027 Elise Radcliffe – Indiana University School of Optometry, class of 2027 The Vision of Hope Scholarship The Vision of Hope Scholarship is awarded to an incoming University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) student from the Appalachian region who demonstrates a commitment to practicing in Appalachia and serving underserved patient populations.
One winner receives a $5,000 scholarship to assist with their optometric education. Recipients are selected by the KYCO Faculty’s Scholarship and Awards Committee. KYCO students can connect with the KYCO Faculty’s Scholarship and Awards Committee to learn more.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winner: Sydnee' Lowe – KYCO, class of 2029 Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship In collaboration with Heart of America Eye Care Congress, the Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Fontana or “Uncle Frank”—an optometric trailblazer and former VSP ® Ambassador.
Dr. Fontana practiced for nearly 70 years, leaving an unmatched legacy behind as a colleague, mentor, and friend to many. One winner receives a $4,250 scholarship and a $750 travel grant to attend Heart of America’s Eye Care Congress Conference.
Each applicant must be a third- or fourth-year optometry student in good standing and Attend any school or college of optometry, and Have residency from any of the five Heart of America Eye Care Congress member states (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Nebraska) OR provide proof of enrollment at either the University of Missouri College of Optometry or Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry.
Must attend Heart of America Eye Care Congress to receive the scholarship and travel grant. Each applicant must submit a 1,500-word written essay on how they demonstrate the four professional characteristics which Dr. Fontana excelled: Ability and interest to adopt technology. Strong interest in developing/ participating in the OD community.
Provide two letters of recommendation from faculty showing how they demonstrate these characteristics (at least one letter of recommendation must be from the applicant’s clinical faculty). Congratulations to the 2026 Winner: Read the Press Release John Luder – University of Missouri-St.
Louis College of Optometry, Class of 2026 Dr. Craig Hisaka Memorial Scholarship The Dr. Craig Hisaka Memorial Scholarship—awarded by VSP ® Ventures in collaboration with UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science (UCBSO)—recognizes a UCBSO student who has participated in the VSP Business Management Immersion Program. One winner receives a $2,500 scholarship.
This scholarship honors the late Dr. Hisaka, who was the founding OD of Brookside Optometric Group, now a VSP Ventures practice. Dr. Hisaka was a strong advocate of private practice and enjoyed mentoring optometry students to help them achieve their goals of becoming practice owners. Brookside Optometry was also the first practice to be part of the BMIP.
Each applicant must be a second or third year UCBSO student who has participated in the VSP Business Management Immersion Program. Demonstrate leadership, vision, and passion in pursuing private business/practice ownership. Applicants must submit an essay detailing their experience in the program.
UCBSO students can contact their Student Affairs office for more details.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winner: Read the Press Release Monica Thu Do – UCBSO, class of 2027 VSP Admissions Scholarship In collaboration with Midwestern University, the VSP Admissions Scholarship is awarded to an incoming first-year optometry student at a Midwestern University College of Optometry campus (Arizona College of Optometry or Chicago College of Optometry) and aims to support financially disadvantaged and/or first-generation college students.
One winner receives a $10,000 scholarship. Interested students can contact Midwestern University for more information. Congratulations to the 2025 Winner: Benjamin Sanchez – Chicago College of Optometry, class of 2029 Upcoming scholarship information will be added here once announced.
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Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Fourth-year optometry students across the U. S. , Puerto Rico, and Canada. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Varies Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.