Scholarship
Why optometry?
As a Doctor of Optometry, you’ll offer transformative, personalized care to your patients with significant contribution to their quality of life. Practicing optometry is more than diagnosing and treating conditions of the vision system. Your training in whole-body care will equip you to spot broader health problems that could be manifesting as vision issues.
The relationships you build with your patients and the impact you have on their life will be satisfying. That’s why U.S. News and World Report ranks optometry as the 9th best healthcare job.
Optometry is an ideal calling if you want to work in an industry that helps change lives while also maintaining a balance of work and life.
See yourself as an optometrist.
Scholarship application
The Kansas Optometric Foundation awards two $5,000 scholarships to optometry students who plan to practice in Kansas. The first of these is the Debbie A. Collins Memorial Scholarship, which is named in honor of long-time KOA staff member, Debbie Collins. The second is a general scholarship made available through donations from Kansas optometrists and their families.
We are also excited to announce three new scholarships for the 2022-23 school year through the generous gift from the Wichita Eye Foundation. These scholarships will follow the same application criteria as the two original KOF Scholarships.
Wichita Eye Foundation Scholarship – 1 $10,000
Wichita Eye Foundation Scholarship – 2 $10,000
Wichita Eye Foundation Scholarship – 3 $10,000
Debbie A. Collins Memorial Scholarship $5,000
Kansas Optometric Foundation Scholarship $5,000
If you have any questions, please contact scholarship@kansasoptometricfoundation.org
To apply for these scholarships, please follow the instructions and submit all required documentation by August 31, 2022. Past scholarship recipients must reapply each consecutive year in order to be considered for continued funding.
The scholarships will be paid directly to the individuals in September.
To be considered for these scholarships, all information requested must be submitted in full.
Scholarship eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must have completed the pre-optometry professional school educational requirements.
- The applicant must be accepted by an accredited school of optometry for the Fall 2022 term or already be enrolled in an accredited school of optometry. Students at schools of optometry that are currently undergoing the accreditation process are also eligible.
- The applicant must be a resident of the state of Kansas.
- The applicant must agree to practice optometry in the state of Kansas one year for each year he/she receives a scholarship.
- Eligibility is limited to students who are not related to a Kansas Optometric Association member. This includes spouses, sons, daughters, sons-in-laws and daughters-in-law.
Scholarship Application Instructions:
Click the Apply Now button below to fill out the Scholarship Application
As part of the Application you will be required to provide the following. Once you begin filling out your Application you will be able to save your progress. Please complete the entirety of the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
1. Complete two short written essays: An explanation of interest in optometry (300 words or less) and need for scholarship (100 words or less)
2. Upload copies of your High School, College and Optometry School Transcripts.
3. Complete three Scholarship Interview Forms (Optometrist, Educator, Applicant Choice) and upload the completed forms with your application. - Scholarship Interview Form
4. Electronically sign the bottom of your Application indicating your intent to practice optometry in Kansas following graduation from optometry school.
