10 Vet Tech Scholarships

With more than 200 vet tech programs accredited through the American Veterinary Medical Association, students may have difficulty deciding exactly what program is right for them. In addition to there being many different associate degree programs to choose from, they’ll have eight accredited online programs and 22 bachelor’s degree programs as selections. A look at the vet tech scholarships available through a school, or even a regional kennel or statewide vet tech association, might be a deciding factor. For example, vet tech associations in both North Carolina and Michigan have provided scholarship support to students in the past. Below, we list 10 scholarships available to vet tech students.

1. Interested in exotic animal medicine? Recognizing that vet techs are an important part of a veterinary practice, Oxbow Animal Health, out of Murdock, Neb., awards two $500 vet tech scholarships to vet tech students who want to pursue work in exotic animal medicine. Students must show that they are enrolled in an accredited vet tech program, submit a 300- to 500-word essay explaining their interest in exotic animal care, provide a letter of reference and meet other qualifying guidelines. Scholarship money is sent directly to a recipient’s school.

2. Students interested in pursuing a pet-related career may be eligible to apply for the Family Scholarship (editor’s note: this scholarship has been discontinued) offered through the Banfield Charitable Trust, which works to ensure that every “loved pet stays in their home.” Only vet tech and pre veterinary students are eligible (i.e., veterinary students are not). Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA, be accepted to or attending an accredited undergraduate program, submit a 250-word essay and meet other requirements.  The scholarship is available for one year, but recipients can re-apply in subsequent years.

3. Each year, the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association awards one LGVMA Vet Tech Scholarship to an outstanding student enrolled full-time in an accredited vet tech program in the U.S. or Canada. Students must submit a 500-word essay on a topic or topics that can include understanding of the human-animal bond, service to their community, commitment to improving veterinary care within a community or another suggested topic on the scholarship application. An applicant’s sexual orientation is not taken into consideration in the selection process.

4. Vet Tech Institute of Houston scholarships provide rewards for up to 15 recipients per year for a total giving amount of $20,000. The scholarships, typically ranging from $500 to $2,000, are based solely on the scores from the general knowledge exam given three times a year at the institute. High school graduates and seniors can take the exam as can any student who has completed an admissions interview. Up to five scholarships each year are also awarded to students who have taken similar competitive exams elsewhere. Students are eligible for just one scholarship, which must be used at the Vet Tech Institute of Houston.

5. The University of Missouri Online offers Mizzou Online Scholarships to vet techs that want to pursue training in veterinary biomedical technology. Students must have graduated in the top 10 percent of their vet tech class, have received an ACT score of 27 or higher and be working on a certificate of achievement or degree in veterinary biomedical technology at the school. Out-of-state students who are also interested in online veterinary biomedical technology classes may be eligible for scholarship opportunities as well.

6. Students who have at least a 2.5 GPA and are enrolled in the vet tech program at Cedar Valley College in Texas can apply for a $250 Dallas Community College Foundation Scholarship, which is available on a semester basis. Students must already have completed 12 credit hours of their program at the school and submit a one-page typed essay. The Dallas County Veterinary Medical Foundation established this scholarship in 1999 and awards the money for use toward tuition and books.

7. Students enrolled in the vet tech program at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Va., can apply for the Blue Ridge Equine Clinic Equine and Large Animal Scholarship. Top preference is given to a student who wants to work in equine medicine and secondary preference goes to a student with interest in large animal medicine. Students must show financial need and a potential for vet tech success. Several other scholarships are available to students enrolled in the community college’s vet tech program.

8. Involved in vet tech activities? If you are working on your associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Ill., you may be eligible for the $400 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Scholarship. Applicants must be in their fourth semester of the program, involved in vet tech activities at or outside of the school (the school does have a vet tech club featuring dog wash days!)  and submit an essay about their involvement since joining the program. Recipients will be selected upon award and merit. Three other vet tech scholarships with specific GPA or financial need guidelines are also available to students in the program.

9. The Lancaster Kennel Club Scholarship awards money to two students enrolled in the vet tech program at one of a half-dozen colleges in Pennsylvania, such as Harcum College in Bryn Mawr. Lucky for applicants, in 2014, award monies were raised to $1,000 from $500. To be eligible, students must be in their second year or third term of a program and should have a career interest in working with small animals, especially dogs. The Lancaster Kennel Club also offers a $3,500 to a veterinary student attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The club raises money through agility training, dog shows and other events each year, and thus far has distributed more than $100,000 to scholarship recipients.

10. The Kelly Stadler Animal Lovers Memorial Scholarship is given to students pursuing either an associate or bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology at St. Petersburg College in Florida. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA and submit a one-page essay about why they are pursuing a vet tech degree. Scholarship amounts of $750 are allotted to help students cover the costs of tuition, books and fees. Several other scholarships are also available to students in the school’s vet tech program. Simply click on the scholarship link above to view the full listing.