Fall scholarships for veterinary and veterinary technician students

The end of summer brings a menagerie of fall scholarships. Among them, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) offers aid for a wide range of students, including veterans, first-generation students, those with specific interests in veterinary medicine, and more.

According to the AVMF, their scholarships and grants have different criteria and may be given to students based on academic excellence, leadership, and financial need. “We make an impact on veterinary students by empowering them to achieve their goals in veterinary medicine and by recognizing and rewarding individuals who have made extraordinary accomplishments in their education. Our goal is to build a relationship with veterinary students that lasts a lifetime,” states the AVMF Scholarships and Awards website.1

This year, the following scholarship opportunities are available:

AVMA/AVMF Scholarship for Veterans

Two $5000 scholarships will be awarded to military veterans pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. US military veterans who were honorably discharged or are in active duty training in the US Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Space Force currently in their 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of veterinary school are eligible.

Applicants must be a US citizen, in good standing at an AVMA-accredited school, and be a member of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) if their university has a SAVMA chapter.2

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship Program

One-thousand-dollar scholarships will be awarded to 2nd or 3rd-year students in good academic standing at an AVMA-accredited school in the US with an active SAVMA chapter. Students at the following international veterinary colleges will also qualify3:

• Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada;
• St. George’s University and Ross University in the Caribbean;
• Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies,
• Royal Veterinary College
• and the University of Glasgow in Europe.

Applicants must be US citizens, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be engaged in a leadership role with university-affiliated or non-university-affiliated organizations.

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Dechra Veterinary Products Veterinary Scholarship (veterinary technician students also eligible)

Dechra Veterinary Products with the AVMF are offering $2500 scholarships to 20 students studying dermatology; equine sports medicine; internal medicine; or anesthesia, surgery, and critical care. Moreover, 5 veterinary technician students will receive $2000.4

To be eligible, students must be US citizens in their clinical year of study at an AVMA-accredited school and plan to practice in the US. Students must also be enrolled and in good standing with the college of veterinary medicine and meet the minimum GPA requirement.

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Durvet Animal Health Future Food Animal Veterinarian Scholarship

One-thousand-dollar scholarships are available to 2nd or 3rd-year veterinary students at an AVMA-accredited school in the US planning to work in a food animal practice, mixed animal practice, or in a rural community, after graduation.5

Applicants must be in good academic standing.

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Embrace Pet Insurance Scholarship

Five 3rd or 4th-year veterinary students at an AVMA-accredited school in the US planning to work in shelter medicine after graduating will receive a $5,000 scholarship.6

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Merck Animal Health Student Innovation Award

This scholarship is for graduating seniors at an AVMA-accredited school in the US and Canada who have received recognition from their veterinary medical program faculty for “innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative forward-thinking in the development of a project or product that inspires others within the veterinary profession.”7 First place will receive $10,000. Second place will receive $5000, and 3rd place will be awarded $3000. Students should consult their program advisor if interested in being nominated for the award.

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Mildred Sylvester Scholarship

1st, 2nd or 3rd year veterinary students in good standing with a connection to the state of New Jersey (birth, residency, education, etc.) are eligible to receive a $5000 scholarship. Students must be members of the SAVMA, be involved in university-affiliated organizations, demonstrate leadership and participate in non-university activities, and have a financial need.8

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Rex Anderson VLC Travel Award Endowment Fund

This award will bestow a $2000 travel award to a veterinary student or recent graduate residing in the US to attend the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference.9 To be eligible, applicants must be an SAVMA member in good standing or have graduated within the past 5 years from an AVMA-accredited school. Preference will be given to applicants with a connection to the state of Montana, such as residency there, attending school in the state, or plans to return to practice in Montana.

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

The Hoveida Family Foundation Scholarship in Research

One veterinary student interested in a career in research upon graduation will receive a $4400 award. Eligibility includes being currently enrolled in a veterinary school and in good academic standing. Applicants must also be located in the US.10

Application dates: September 1 – September 30

Merck Animal Health Scholarship

Merck Animal Health will be offering veterinary students in their second or third year a $10,000 scholarship. To be eligible, students must be attending accredited veterinary schools in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and be involved in university-affiliated organizations including leadership responsibilities, as well as be involved in non-university activities.11

Application dates: November 1 – November 30

Dr Hidayah Martinez-Jaka NAVLE Testing Scholarship

This scholarship will offer $400 in reimbursement of the test taking fee to first-generation students taking the NAVLE exam for a second time. Student must have registered and paid for their NAVLE exam before submitting the application. Recipients will be required to submit their exam registration receipts.12

Application dates: September 15 – October 15, 2025; February 1 – February 28, 2026; July 1 – July 31, 2026

Dr Steven Melman Foundation Dermatology Travel Grant

This winter travel grant will be offered to veterinary dermatology residents, interns, and practicing veterinarians who want to attend the 2025 North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum held in Orlando, Florida, from April 27-30, 2025.13

Application dates: January 27-February 28, 2026

The Zoetis Foundation/AVMF Veterinary Technician Student Scholarship

This scholarship is intended to ease student debt and foster diversity in the veterinary profession. The AVMF and school leadership will select 176 veterinary technician students who can “can help address our changing world and the health, food, and welfare needs of the US veterinary community,” according to the AVMF.14

Scholarships will be distributed to students entering their 2nd year of a 2-year program (or equivalent for term-based programs) or in the 3rd year of a 4-year AVMA-accredited veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or animal health technology program in the United States or Puerto Rico program. Applicants must show need of financial assistance and be in good academic standing. Scholarships will be awarded to students with career interests in all areas.14

Application dates: October 1 – October 31

References

1. Scholarships and awards. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/
2. AVMA/AVMF Scholarship for Veterans. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/avma-avmf-scholarship-for-veterans/
3. Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship Program. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/auxiliary-to-the-avma-scholarship-program/
4. Scholarship program expands to include anesthesia, surgery, and critical care. dvm360. September 4, 2024. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/scholarship-program-expands-to-include-anesthesia-surgery-and-critical-care
5. Durvet Animal Health Future Food Animal Veterinarian Scholarship. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/durvet/
6. Embrace Pet Insurance Scholarship. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/embrace/
7. Merck Animal Health Student Innovation Award. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/merck-animal-health-student-innovation-award/
8. Mildred Sylvester Scholarship. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/mildred-sylvester-scholarship/
9. Rex Anderson VLC Travel Award Endowment Fund. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/rex-anderson/
10. The Hoveida Family Foundation Scholarship in Research. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/hoveida-research/
11. Merck Animal Health Scholarship. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/merck-animal-health-scholarship/
12. Dr Hidayah Martinez-Jaka NAVLE Testing Scholarship. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/hidaya-navle-testing-scholarship/
13. Dr Steven Melman Foundation Dermatology Travel Grant. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/melman/
14. The Zoetis Foundation/AVMF Veterinary Technician Student Scholarship. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/the-zoetis-foundation-avmf-veterinary-technician-student-scholarship/