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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. Students are strongly encouraged to apply on the FAFSA Web site, www.FAFSA.ed.gov, every January. Priority application deadline is march 1st. 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:

Residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska and North Carolina may be eligible for tuition assistance from their state through a contract. Information may be obtained from the financial aid counselor at the college.

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:

  1. Better Vision
  2. O.W. Coburn
  3. A.D. Love
  4. W.J. Khulman
  5. Harry Jankiewicz
  6. Optometry License Renewal

Loans

Bealmear Emergency Loan Fund; these emergency loan funds are available only to fourth-year students; repayment to be made no later than four years after graduation.

Dr. and Mrs. Harry Otwell Optometry Loan; this emergency short-term loan is available to any year student; repayment must be made within six months after loan is disbursed.

Dr. Nelson J. Reber "Eye-Open" - FERV Loan; long-term loans of up to $1,000 per year if financial need is demonstrated; applicants must be in good academic standing. Specific repayment terms are determined on an individual basis.

Federal Student Loan Programs

Perkins Loan Program; this is a Federal Loan Program. Maximum is $3,000 per academic year and the current interest rate is five percent. Repayment and interest begin 9 months after last date of full-time enrollment. Funds are very limited — early applications are encouraged.

There are no loan applications for the Perkins loan. Applicants who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid are eligible for the Perkins loan. Early applicants may be given first consideration for these loans. The early financial aid deadline is April 1st.

Federal Stafford Loan Programs

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan; the borrowing limit for any given year is based on the student's estimated cost of attendance less expected family contribution. Information of this nature is available in the Student Aid Report received after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Current annual loan limit is $8,500 for graduate students for a maximum of $65,500, including undergraduate borrowed amounts. The interest rate is currently 7.5 percent and is adjusted annually on July 1st. The Federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled in school.

Students may borrow through any participating bank or credit union. Loan applicants must select his/her lender. The following is a sample list of Stafford Loan lenders:

  • EducAid
  • Chase Bank
  • Wells Fargo
  • BankOne
  • Hinson-Hazelwood (State of Texas)
  • Citibank
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan; these loans are for students who (1) if eligible, require additional funds or (2) show no financial need based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) needs analysis form i.e. their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is higher than their financial aid budget. Total current eligibility for this loan is $10,000 per academic year. Interest rate and repayment terms are the same as for the Subsidized Stafford loan. The total amount of Unsubsidized Stafford loans a student may borrow is $73,000 including undergraduate borrowed amounts. Students are cautioned to use this loan program only when needed as the Federal government does not pay the interest while the student is in school. The student must elect either to: (1) have the interest added (capitalized) to the amount borrowed or (2) make quarterly interest payments while enrolled.

Loan Fees:

Loan fees for the Stafford loans are deducted prior to disbursement to the student. Presently, a three percent origination fee is deducted and paid to the Federal government. Total Stafford Loan debt allowed for graduate or professional students is $138,500, i.e., $65,500 in Subsidized and $73,000 in Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. The graduate debt limit includes loans received for undergraduate study.

Students should keep in mind that the annual maximum loan eligibility for each grade level is $18,500 ($8,500 Subsidized and $10,000 Unsubsidized). Students should borrow only what they need. The only financial assistance available in the summer is Stafford loans.

Stafford loan request forms are available from the College of Optometry Financial Aid Office. Students may request loan forms be mailed to them by calling the College of Optometry Financial Aid Office at (713) 743-2048.

Other loan programs:

State Optometric Association Awards; many state Optometric associations and auxiliaries have loan or grant programs for resident students. To apply, contact you state optometric association.