Explore a variety of scholarships offered to students of optometry
The Practice Excellence Scholarship is a long-standing, prestigious award recognizing outstanding achievement in patient care and practice management—awarded by VSP Vision™ in collaboration with the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF). Through this scholarship, two fourth-year students at every accredited optometry school in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada are awarded up $4,000 each. Each winner also receives a travel grant to attend the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) annual meeting. Eligibility:
Application Information:
Congratulations to the 2025 winners: Read the Press Release
In collaboration with the Association of Practice Management Educators (APME) and Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN), the Propel Student Business Challenge, Powered by PECAA is a scholarship opportunity for optometry students interested in a path to private practice ownership.
One optometry student is awarded one (1) $10,000 scholarship, plus a travel grant to the annual SOLN Conference. In addition, two (2) runners-up are awarded $5,000 each, plus a travel grant to the annual SOLN Conference.
Eligibility:
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners: Read the Press Release
The Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award honors the legacy of Dr. Poston—the first Black optometrist on the West Coast and co-founder of VSP Vision. This scholarship is awarded in collaboration with the National Optometric Association (NOA).
Five optometry students—one from each cohort year plus an Executive Board member—are recognized for their leadership, service, and commitment to diversity. Each winner receives a $4,000 scholarship. Eligibility:
In collaboration with the Rick Bay Foundation, the Student Innovator Award recognizes optometry students for their creative, innovative, and feasible solutions poised to have a significant impact on the future of optometry. This scholarship is facilitated by Jobson Optical Group and honors the legacy of the late Rick Bay, former publisher and president of Jobson’s Review of Optometry and Review of Ophthalmology. Each winner received a $5,000 scholarship to help bring their ideas to life. Application Information:
Congratulations to the 2025 winners:
The Vision of Hope Scholarship is awarded to an incoming University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) student from the Appalachian region who demonstrates a commitment to practicing in Appalachia and serving underserved patient populations. One winner receives a $5,000 scholarship to assist with their optometric education. Application Information:
Congratulations to the 2025 Winner:
In collaboration with Heart of America Eye Care Congress, the Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Fontana or “Uncle Frank”—an optometric trailblazer and former VSP® Ambassador. Dr. Fontana practiced for nearly 70 years, leaving an unmatched legacy behind as a colleague, mentor, and friend to many. One winner receives a $4,250 scholarship and a $750 travel grant to attend Heart of America’s Eye Care Congress Conference. Eligibility:
Congratulations to the 2025 Winner: Read the Press Release
The Dr. Craig Hisaka Memorial Scholarship—awarded by VSP® Ventures in collaboration with UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science (UCBSO)—recognizes a UCBSO student who has participated in the VSP Business Management Immersion Program. One winner receives a $2,500 scholarship. This scholarship honors the late Dr. Hisaka, who was the founding OD of Brookside Optometric Group, now a VSP Ventures practice. Dr. Hisaka was a strong advocate of private practice and enjoyed mentoring optometry students to help them achieve their goals of becoming practice owners. Brookside Optometry was also the first practice to be part of the BMIP. Eligibility:
In collaboration with Midwestern University, the VSP Admissions Scholarship is awarded to an incoming first-year optometry student at a Midwestern University College of Optometry campus (Arizona College of Optometry or Chicago College of Optometry) and aims to support financially disadvantaged and/or first-generation college students. One winner receives a $10,000 scholarship. Application Information: