Research Awards

Campus-Based
These awards are presented annually to qualified SCCO students.

• California Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry Award (1987)
  California Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry honors a student research project selected by the Student Research Committee at the College. The recipient is invited to present the research paper at the annual meeting of the Chapter (held during the California Optometric Association’s Optowest). A permanent plaque with the recipient's name will be maintained at the College. The recipient also receives a certificate of recognition and a $400 award.

• California Optical Laboratories Association (COLA) Student Research Awards (1980)
  These annual awards are provided by a grant from the California Optical Laboratories Association (COLA). Three awards will be given to students who present the most outstanding research papers at the annual Southern California College of Optometry Student Research Symposium. The recipients of these awards will be chosen by the Symposium's panel of judges. The first place award is $1,000, second place, $600 and third place, $400.

• Developmental Vision Endowment for Residencies (1994)
  This fund was initiated by Arthur C. Heinsen, O.D., '48, for the purpose of enhancing the understanding and practice of vision development. The award is to be used to facilitate the travel and attendance of residents enrolled in the SCCO Pediatric Optometry and Vision Therapy program to attend the San Jose Vision Therapy Conference and Seminar and/or the COVD Annual Congress, or such other meetings that would primarily serve the purpose and intent of this award. The determination of recipients and funding amount will be made annually by the Residency Committee in concert with the VP/Dean of Academic Affairs.

Non-Campus-Based
Several national, regional and state awards are available each year for which eligible students at the Southern California College of Optometry are encouraged to apply. Further information on these opportunities can be obtained from the VP/Dean of Academic Affairs or the Dean of Student Affairs.

• Beta Sigma Kappa Research Grant (1933)
  Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK), an international optometric honor fraternity, annually funds student research projects that relate directly to the field of optometry. Students in the second- and third-year of professional studies are eligible. Applications must be submitted by April 1. Grant requests, not to exceed $600 per project, will be awarded.

• COVD Martin Kane Student Research Award (1993)
  The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) offers a research award for students. Named in memory of Dr. Martin Kane, former board member and Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Optometric Vision Development, this award will be presented annually to the first-, second- or third-year COVD student member who has developed the best research project in the area of vision and learning. The completed project must be submitted to the COVD Committee on Research by April 30. All projects will be evaluated and a final recommendation will be considered by June. The winner will receive an award of $750 to defray costs of attending the subsequent COVD Annual Meeting where the project will be presented during the Scientific Poster Session.

• NEI Predoctoral Research Fellowships (1986)
  The National Eye Institute (NEI) Predoctoral Research Fellowships are available to students who wish to participate in Summer research projects at the University of Houston, College of Optometry. The $4,500 research fellowships are for Summer, generally mid-May through mid-August. Applications must be submitted early in March.

• Dr. Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics (1969)
  The $500 award, established by Julius F. Neumueller, O.D., Professor Emeritus, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, is presented to a professional student in an accredited school or college of optometry for the outstanding paper on geometrical, ophthalmic or physical optics. Judging will be conducted by the Editorial Council of the American Academy of Optometry's Journal of Optometry and Vision Science. Each school of optometry in the United States may submit two papers for final consideration by June 15. The Academy also provides travel expenses up to $500 to an annual Academy meeting.

National Awards and Scholarships

Non-Campus-Based
Several national, regional and state awards are available each year for which eligible students at the Southern California College of Optometry are encouraged to apply. Further information on these opportunities can be obtained from the VP/Dean of Academic Affairs or the Dean of Student Affairs.

American Academy of Optometry Awards (1989)

• Frank W. Weymouth Student Travel Fellowships (Research)
  These awards, made in honor of Frank W. Weymouth, are available to optometry students wishing to attend and participate in a meeting of the American Academy of Optometry or the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Travel awards of $500 for each meeting are available to students. Selection is based on accomplishments and potential in optometric or vision research.

• Academy Program Committee Student Travel Fellowships (Presentation)
  These travel awards are made to students whose abstract or poster has been accepted for presentation. The $500 awards are made to enable students to attend an Academy meeting.

• Ophthalmic Research Institute Student Travel Fellowship (Ophthalmic Instrumentation)
  The Ophthalmic Research Institute Student Travel Fellowships are awards for accomplishment and potential in the clinical, research or development aspects of ophthalmic instrumentation. The award funds travel to an Academy or an Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting.

American Optometric Association

• Dr. Seymour Galina Grant (1990)
  This grant was established by a bequest from Dr. Seymour Galina, a long-time AOA member, and is awarded to an entering fourth-year optometry student. A paper of up to 1,500 words covering the qualities useful in establishing a professional practice must be submitted by May 1. The $2,500 grant is available to members of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA).

• Health and Human Services Award
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides awards for innovations in health promotion and disease prevention. These are available to students in health professions and educational programs. A paper, not to exceed 2500 words, must be submitted by January 15. Five national awards, ranging from $250 to $3,000, are provided annually.

American Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

• ASCO Student Award in Clinical Ethics (2004)
  This annual national award sponsored by Ciba Vision Care is available to optometry students in the final two years of their professional program at an ASCO-affiliated school or college of optometry in the USA, Puerto Rico and Canada. The application consists of an essay of up to 1,500 words describing a patient based case study that the student encountered as part of their clinical learning experience. The essay must describe and discuss the ethical theories and values that were used in the decision-making process and address relevant state laws relating to the case (if applicable). The essay must be submitted in a publishable quality format.
  
  Each school or college of optometry is permitted to submit only one essay. A committee of the ASCO Ethics Educators SIG will make the selection of one national recipient. Essays must be submitted electronically to the ASCO office by March 1, 2005, and the recipient will be announced by April 15, 2005. The award will consist of a plaque and a cash award of $1000.
  

State and Regional Awards and Scholarships

Non-Campus-Based

• Chela Financial
  • Financial Aid Administrator Scholarship (March – April) – Each school nominates three students for a scholarship. A total of 150 scholarships, valued at $1,000 each, are given each year and the recipients are nominated by the Financial Aid Office.
  • How I Finance My Education Scholarship (late Summer) – Students can log-on to the website, www.Chelafinancial.com, to apply; no nominations necessary. The $50,000 in scholarships is divided as follows: 1 at $5,000, 10 at $2,500 and 15 at $1,000.

• The George Comstock Scholarships
  The George Comstock Scholarship Foundation, assisted by the Connecticut Optometric Society, awards six to eight scholarships annually to optometry students who are residents of Connecticut. The scholarships are based on financial need and scholastic achievement. The scholarships range from $300-500 per year and are renewable. Applications should be made by June 30 of each year.

• Jake Gimbel Loan Fund
  The Jake Gimbel Loan Fund, administered by the Santa Barbara Foundation, awards 10-year interest-free loans of $1,500 to any male students attending graduate colleges in California who attended schools in the Santa Barbara area from the 7th through 12th grades. Applications are normally due in January of each year. Recipients may re-apply the following year.

• Hawaii Optometric Association Scholarships
  The Hawaii Optometric Association offers two $1,000 scholarships annually to optometry students who are Hawaii residents. Financial need and grade point average are considered. Applicants must submit an essay by March 31, and scholarships are awarded in April.

• Heart of America Contact Lens Society Scholarships
  The Heart of America Contact Lens Society (HOACLS) awards grants to optometry students whose permanent residence is in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska or Oklahoma. The recipients are selected by a committee appointed by the HOACLS Board of Directors. Five $2,000 scholarships are based on overall grade point average, grades in contact lens courses and the submission of a publishable paper on any aspect of contact lenses. The application must be submitted by mid-November.

• Optometric Society of Greater Kansas City, Inc. (1989)
  This scholarship is available to a second-, third-, or fourth-year student who is from the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area. This $500 scholarship is based upon cumulative grade point average and potential. Applications for the award are due by the end of August.

• The Dr. Dorothy Weitzner Kornblut Scholarships
  The Dr. Dorothy Weitzner Kornblut Scholarships are available from the Bridgeport Area Foundation, Inc., assisted by the Connecticut Optometric Society. These scholarships, available to female residents of Fairfield County, Connecticut, or New England, in that order of preference, are based upon financial need, character and scholastic achievement. The scholarships generally range from $300 to $500 per year and are renewable. Applications should be made by June 30.

• Maine Optometric Association
  • Hilda L. Rand Scholarships
    The Maine Optometric Association, offers two $2,000 scholarships from the Hilda L. Rand fund to residents of Maine. These scholarships are based upon financial need, scholastic achievement and character. Applications are due by April 1.

• Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness Scholarship
  The Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness, an affiliate of the American Foundation for Vision Awareness, awards a $1,000 grant to a third-year student who has demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement and financial need. Applicants must be Michigan residents, have financial need, and intend to practice ethical optometry. Applications must be submitted before May 1.

• Minnesota Foundation for Vision Awareness Scholarships
  The Minnesota Foundation for Vision Awareness, an affiliate of the American Foundation for Vision Awareness, offers two $1,500 scholarships for Minnesota residents entering optometry school. Selection is based upon academic performance and ability, along with evidence of good character, personality and financial need. Applications must be submitted by March 1.

• New Jersey Optometric Association Scholarships
  The New Jersey Optometric Association administers four scholarships for the Dr. Leslie Mintz Scholarship Foundation as a perpetual memorial to Dr. Leslie Mintz, who devoted his life to the profession of optometry. These scholarships are available to full-time optometric students who are New Jersey residents, have financial need and demonstrate aptitude for the optometric profession. Applications must be submitted by February 15.

• Orange County Federation of Republican Women
  • Pat Nixon Scholarship
    The Orange County Federation of Republican Women offers a Pat Nixon Scholarship to registered Orange County Republican women, who are 25 years-of-age or older, and currently furthering their education. A minimum of one $1,000 scholarship is given and applications are generally available on July 15 of each year.

• Optometric Physicians of Washington Student Member of the Year Award
  This award is offered to an outstanding fourth-year Optometric Physicians of Washington student member, who is distinguished in the areas of professional leadership, academic achievement, and public concern. Nominations need to be received by March 1.

• The Petry-Lomb Scholarship
  The Petry-Lomb Scholarship Committee, affiliated with the Rochester New York Optometric Society, offers scholarship assistance to students in good standing who have a sincere desire to practice in upstate New York after graduation. The minimum scholarship amount is $1,000 and it may be applied to tuition or a specific research project. The Petry-Lomb scholarship honors Ernest Petry, the founding Dean of the Rochester College of Optometry and Carl Lomb, the founder of Bausch & Lomb. Applications must be submitted between September 1 and October 15.

• South Carolina Optometric Society Student Loans
  The South Carolina Optometric Society has established a fund to provide for loans to students attending optometric schools and colleges. To be considered for these loans, students must be residents of South Carolina and be recommended by a member of the South Carolina Optometric Association. Applications are due by July and December of each year.

• South Dakota Foundation for Vision Awareness Scholarship
  The South Dakota Foundation for Vision Awareness, an affiliate of the American Foundation for Vision Awareness, offers a $1,000 scholarship to a third- or fourth-year student from South Dakota who is enrolled in optometry school and is in the upper half of the class. Selection will be based on academic performance and ability, evidence of financial need, evidence of good character, personality and leadership, and sincerity in pursuing optometry as a career. Application for the award must be submitted by March 31.

• Ruth G. White P.E.O. Scholarships
  Financial assistance is available to female students from California in their second-, third- or fourth-year of graduate study. Applications must be completed before mid-February each year.

• Wisconsin Foundation for Vision Awareness Scholarships
  The Wisconsin Foundation for Vision Awareness, an affiliate of the American Foundation for Vision Awareness, offers scholarships to students who are residents of Wisconsin. Selection is based upon need, academic performance and ability, character, personality and leadership. Application for the up to $500 awards should be made by August 15 of each year.