Optometry-Related Awards
Most awards and cash prizes are one-time funding. Some are offered by national and state organizations, and some are offered by the ophthalmic industry. Some require academic excellence, some require proficiency in a particular area such as contact lenses, and some require a paper on a specific topic.
A complete listing of awards, honors, and scholarships is available as a downloadable PDF file. Copies are available by request to the Office of Student Administration at iubopt@indiana.edu. You are also encouraged to use the free national scholarship search for other outside scholarships available online at: www.fastweb.com. You will receive all pertinent information on scholarships for which you may qualify.
- School of Optometry Diversity Enhancement Fellowship
The School of Optometry is firmly committed to diversity and affirmative action, and offers one new fee scholarship each year to help support African American, Native American, or Hispanic students. No separate application process is required, and all applicants from those ethnic groups are considered. The value of the award is equivalent of the difference between resident and non-resident tuition. A student can receive this award for all four years of optometric education by maintaining a 2.00 cumulative GPA.
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EF Wildermuth Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships are funded from the interest of an endowment provided by the Wildermuth Foundation. The scholarships are for optometry students in good academic standing. The recipients are determined by the Awards and Honors Committee. The scholarships can be renewed if the students maintain good academic standing. Funding amounts vary.
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SIOA Equipment Awards
There are four awards of $500 each, given in the spring of the first year. Students apply by submitting a personal statement, and the Awards and Honors Committee makes the selection.
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Jane Hofstetter Scholarship
The award is for $1,000 and goes to a first-year Indiana resident who has demonstrated concern for and service to humanity. Financial need is also considered.
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The American Foundation for Vision Awareness Scholarships
AFVA affiliates in many states offer scholarships to students who are residents of that state. Students in the School of Optometry are kept informed of each opportunity as it becomes available.
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Research Funding
A number of sources for funding for students interested in research exist--including research grants offered by Beta Sigma Kappa, the Optometric Honor Society.
Most of the awards listed above are available only to students who are US citizens.
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University Graduate School Awards and Funding
- Educational Opportunity Fellowships
These fellowships, called EOF, are for incoming or continuing students. Nominee must be a US citizen or permanent resident, and must demonstrate
acute financial need. Also, the nominee must be a first-generation college student, which means that neither parent achieved a bachelor's degree. The EOF is a one-year award that includes a $1,500 stipend and a tuition reduction. Non-residents who receive an EOF pay the resident tuition rate for that academic year.
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Edwards Fellowship
Students in the third year of the Doctor of Optometry program can compete for one of the prestigious Edwards Fellowships. The dean nominates one student to be considered for one of four or five fellowships of approximately $10,000 each. The student nominated is the overall best student. The awards are made on the basis of superior scholastic ability and intellectual capacity, and good citizenship and character, including attitude toward university and community service as demonstrated by actual service.
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State Contracts
Residents of Kentucky and Nebraska may qualify for a state contract seat in the entering class. The IU School of Optometry historically has had three seats for students from each state. Contract availability is subject to change as state legislatures annually review budget expenditures. A Kentucky or Nebraska student who is admitted to the Doctor of Optometry program does not automatically receive a contract.
For contract seat consideration, applicants should submit the OD application and materials no later than December 1st prior to the year of entry. The Committee on Admissions will review objective and subjective application information/interview results in determining contract recipients.
The current Kentucky contract covers the difference between resident and nonresident tuition fees for 4 years, while the current Nebraska contract provides a set amount of support for each of the four years of optometry school.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must provide proof of residency in one of these states. Interested applicants should contact one of the following:
Kentucky:
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Dr., Ste. 320
Frankfurt, KY 40601-8204
Phone: (502) 573-1555
E-mail: CPE.Webmaster@mail.state.ky.us |
Nebraska:
Office of Admissions
12 Administration Building
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68588-0415
Phone (800) 742-8800
www.unl.edu/nuhusker/applications/Residencyapp.pdf |
Students attending public Kentucky colleges/universities should contact their Registrar's office to request a letter of residency verification. Students who attend private Kentucky schools, attend out-of-state colleges, or have already graduated from a Kentucky public college/university can download the residency application form at cpe.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/24758B11-5A86-4022-A02E-C3CC2AD84992/0/ApplicationResidencyDetermination_20050415.pdf.
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Health Professions Scholarship Program
These military scholarships provide full tuition and reimbursement for required books, equipment, and school fees in addition to a monthly living stipend. Four-, 3-, and 2-year scholarships are available.
Contact information
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