Do you want to become a veterinary technician but need help with the financing? In today’s economy, it is quite common for students to need help with the costs that are associated with training programs.
Fortunately, there are many scholarships and grants available for veterinary technician students, and some of the best are described below.
Federal Pell Grants
Pell grants are sums of money provided by the federal government to help students pay for their education. For you to qualify for a Pell Grant, you must prove that you are financially in need. You can accomplish this by providing the Department of Education with copies of your and/or your parents’ tax returns.
If you qualify for one of these grants, you may be eligible for more than $5,000 that you can use for such things as tuition, books, supplies and other school-related costs. If you do not qualify for a Pell Grant, do not fret! Under this program, you may also qualify for low-interest student loans, work-study programs and/or trustee awards.
The AKC and Hartz Veterinary Technician Scholarship
This is a fairly new scholarship program for aspiring veterinary technicians that is hosted by the American Kennel Club and the Hartz Mountain Corporation. As of 2014, the AKC and Hartz are prepared to award a total of $45,000 in scholarships to vet tech students who need help with their education.
Awards are typically in the amounts of either $2,000 or $1,000 that can be applied to an approved vet tech program in the U.S. For you to be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a full-time student enrolled in a vet tech program that is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The Oxbow Animal Health Scholarship
Oxbow Animal Health is a business that promotes animal-friendly products. Each year, Oxbow awards several scholarships to students who are interested in animal-related careers. To be eligible for an Oxbow Animal Health Scholarship, you must be pursuing a degree in veterinary science.
To apply for a scholarship from Oxbow, you will need to submit a scholarship application, proof of attendance in a veterinary technology program, official college or university transcripts, at least one letter of recommendation, and an essay describing your career goals.
The NAVTA Scholarship
Once a year, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians and the American Kennel Club awards $1,000 scholarships to 25 students who are interested in the field of veterinary technology. For you to apply for one of these scholarships, you must submit a copy of your college/university transcripts and an official scholarship application.
Furthermore, since this is an annual program, you can apply for a scholarship every year. However, you will need to reapply each year and abide by the current scholarship requirements each year to be eligible for the funds. Additionally, you may not receive funds every year that you apply.
The Laurie Page/Peck Scholarship
If you would like to become a veterinary technician specializing in zoology, you may want to apply for a Laurie Page/Peck Scholarship. This scholarship was created by the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians to help students who are pursuing vet tech careers specializing in zoo animals.
Each of these awards consists of $1,000 that you can use towards your veterinary technician training. To apply for a Laurie Page/Peck Scholarship, you will need to submit proof of your training, official college or university transcripts, and a scientific essay pertaining to the field of veterinary technology.
The Sue Busch Memorial Award
The Pet Care Trust is a nonprofit organization that promotes proper nutrition and care for pets. Every year, the organization offers three Sue Busch Memorial Awards to people who are training to become veterinary technicians. For you to qualify for one of these awards, you must be enrolled in a vet tech school within the U.S.
You must also be in your final year of a veterinary technology degree program to be eligible for this award. Finally, to qualify for a Sue Busch Memorial Award, you need to be interested in providing vet tech-related services to pets that belong to people who are disabled or elderly.
Secure Your Future Now!
Becoming a veterinary technician is a great path to starting a highly-respected and great-paying career today. Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job openings in this field will increase by as much as an amazing 52 percent over the next several years.
However, we know how hard it can be to fund the education and training you need to begin your new career.
As such, described above, you will find several organizations that offer grants and scholarships to help with the costs associated with your veterinary technician training.
By applying to one or several of these programs, you can begin your career in no time at all.