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College of Optometry

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Before pursuing a degree in Optometry, students must consider a sound financial plan for their educational expenses early in their decision-making process. Financial assistance may or may not meet all of the student's expenses. Eligible students will be awarded as much financial assistance as possible but not beyond their cost of attendance (budget). All financial aid awards are based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) needs analysis form. A Student Aid Report is sent to the student approximately 3 to 4 weeks after the FAFSA is mailed and processed. Financial aid will not be awarded until the Student Aid Report is on file at the University.

The University and the College of Optometry provide a variety of financial assistance programs for eligible students who need financial assistance beyond their resources in order to meet their cost of attendance expenses. For your convenience, a financial aid counselor is available within the College of Optometry. All necessary applications and forms are available at this office. The financial aid office may be reached at (713) 743-2048.

Many of the financial aid programs are funded either by governmental agencies or sponsoring individuals and organizations and therefore may be changed or eliminated at any time. Financial assistance programs available through the College of Optometry at the present time are listed below. All aid programs are subject to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education, the university's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and the College of Optometry Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, refer to the General Information section of this catalog.

Awards and Scholarships

Students interested in applying for any scholarship should contact the chair of the UHCO Scholarship Committee or the UHCO financial aid office at (713) 743-2048. Every scholarship will have different requirements, deadlines and application forms. Current information is also posted in the Scholarship Bulletin Board in the UHCO student lounge. The UHCO Scholarship Committee will meet as necessary to review all scholarship applications. Listed below are the scholarships currently available at the UHCO. Where the award amount varies, award will either be cash, vision care products, plaques or a combination thereof.

Scholarships Currently Available

Graduating Fourth-Year Students:

UHCO Clinical Excellence Award; determined by a vote of the clinical faculty in the different specialty areas: Pediatrics, Clinical Rounds, Low Vision and Optics. Award is $250.

Bausch & Lomb Practice Initiation Award; presented to a student who submits the most innovative paper dealing with the establishment of a practice. Student's GPA must be in the top 20% of the class and the student must have also demonstrated academic excellence in the contact lens didactic courses as well as in the area of clinical performance. Award is $1,000.

Bernell Clinical Optometry Award; presented to the student who demonstrates didactic and clinical excellence in binocular vision. Award is recipient's choice of $300 in equipment and /or supplies from the Bernell catalogue. Silor Optical Award of Excellence; presented to the student who is identified as being an outstanding primary care clinician and has the highest GPA. Award is a pupillometer.

CIBA Vision Contact Lens Achievement Award; presented to the student who has demonstrated contact lens clinical excellence as voted on by the contact lens faculty. Award amount varies.

Dr. Robert Zipper Memorial Leadership Award; presented during commencement. Award recognizes student involvement and leadership over a four-year period. Minimum award is $500.

Dr. Seymour Galina Grant; this is a national award given in the fall semester by the American Optometric Association to a student who submits the best essay on a given topic. Student must be a member in good standing of AOSA. UHCO submits only one essay for AOSA consideration. Award is $2,500.

Corning Low Vision Award; awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in vision care as determined by the rehabilitative vision faculty. Award amount varies.

Optolec Low Vision Award; awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in vision care as determined by the rehabilitative vision faculty. Award amount varies.

SunSoft Contact Lens Achievement Award; awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in contact lens care as determined by the contact lens faculty. Award amount varies.

Pilkington/Barnes-Hinds Student Recognition Award; awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in contact lens care as determined by the contact lens faculty. Award amount varies.

Vistakon Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care; awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in contact lens care as determined by the contact lens faculty. Award amount varies.

Third- or Fourth-Year Students:

Varilux Student Grant Award; for an outstanding case report on a patient fit with Varilux lenses. Report should be a minimum of 750 words and will be judged on: dispensing skills, application of Varilux lenses to patient's needs and an analysis of the case. Award is $500 plus entry into a national judging.

Alcon Laboratories Incorporated Grant-In-Aid for Clinical Excellence; awarded to two students who have demonstrated excellent performance in patient care and have achieved academic excellence in the contact lens didactic courses. Award is $500.

Second- or Third-Year Students:

Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK) Scholarship; applicants must have a GPA of 3.30 or better. Applications are available from BSK officers or sponsor.

Nelson J. Reber "Eye-Open" Scholarship; total number of recipients and dollar amounts per scholarship are dependent on fund availability.

Dr. Hugh Sticksel, Sr. Memorial Scholarship; presented to two students who have demonstrated scholarship, high professional and ethical standards and leadership. Award is $500.

Adler-Grinberg Vision Science Award; based on interest in vision science, grades in Vision Science courses and financial need. Recipient receives one year (2 semesters) of in-state tuition.

Student Texas Optometric Association - (STOA); applicants with a high level of service related activities will be considered. Scholarship is $500.

National Optometric Student Association - (NOSA); applicant must be a NOSA member and submit a competitive paper on a topic decided by NOSA. Award is $500.

Second-Year Students:

American Foundation for vision Awareness - Texas Chapter; given to a Texas resident who displays outstanding service to the school and profession. Award is $1000.

All Optometry Students:

UHCO Scholarships Based on Financial Need and GPA; number of recipients and dollar amounts per scholarship are dependent on fund availability. Currently, scholarship awards are $500 per recipient ($250 Fall & $250 Spring).

Scholarships are available to incoming first-year as well as beginning second-, third-, and fourth-year candidates. Selections are made by the UHCO Scholarship Committee for the following scholarships:

• Better Vision
• O.W. Coburn
• A.D. Love
• W.J. Khulman
• Harry Jankiewicz
• Optometry License Renewal