Funded by the Zoetis Foundation, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) will provide scholarships to second- and third-year veterinary students in the United States and Caribbean as part of the Zoetis Foundation’s commitment to support those who care for animals. [Source: Zoetis 18 October 2021]
Recipients of the 2022 Zoetis Foundation Veterinary Student Scholarship Award will each receive $2,000 for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year. Interested students can apply now through December 2 at www.vetvance.com/opportunities. Winners will be announced at the 2022 SAVMA Symposium in March 2022.
In prior years, Zoetis funded awards for over 3,900 scholarships totaling more than $7.9 million. "Zoetis’ long-standing commitment to the mission of assisting veterinary students is unwavering," said Dr. Christine Jenkins, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Veterinary Medical Services and Outcomes Research at Zoetis. "This award helps ease veterinary education-related financial debt and in many cases, enables students to participate in experiential learning opportunities such as externships."
Eligibility criteria include academic excellence, financial need, diversity, promoting sustainable practices, leadership, and career interest. Scholarships will be awarded to students in all areas of professional interest, including food animal medicine, small animal clinical medicine, research, government services, public health, and organized veterinary medicine.
"The AAVMC is proud to help new generations of veterinarians by partnering with the Zoetis Foundation on this strategic effort," said Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, Chief Executive Officer of the AAVMC. "Scholarship support plays a significant role in the success and wellbeing of our DVM students and we’re extremely grateful to the Zoetis Foundation for the investment they’re making in the future of the profession."
The Veterinary Student Scholarship program furthers Zoetis’ Commitment to Veterinarians™, a platform created by Zoetis to support leadership and diversity among future veterinarians, while also helping to offset the significant costs associated with a veterinary education. The average debt load of veterinary students is more than $170,000.1 The Zoetis Foundation was created in June 2021 and represents the next chapter in extending and driving forward the company’s commitments to addressing important challenges faced by farmers and veterinarians.
To learn more about the Zoetis Foundation Veterinary Student Scholarship Award or to apply for a scholarship, please register at www.VETVANCE.com. VETVANCE is a free educational resource sponsored by Zoetis that provides veterinary students, recent graduates and veterinary technicians with online content relating to professional development, business skills, professional stewardship, financial literacy, personal wellness, and much more.
1Average debt among veterinary school graduates was $178,585 in 2020, according to the Annual Data Report 2020-2021 [Internet]. Washington, DC: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges; 2021 May p. 1-65. Available from: http://www.aavmc.org/About-AAVMC/Public-Data.