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To support �鶹Ӱ�� College of Optometry (COO) student learning and engagement at Pacific, alumni, friends, and industry partners have generously supported in various areas such as scholarships, awards, and project funding.

All scholarships have their own unique application process and conditions that are communicated by either the COO Admissions Committee (incoming students) or through the COO Research and Awards Committee and/or the Dean’s Office (currently enrolled students). Applications and deadlines vary throughout the year. 

Eligible current students will be notified via email when specific scholarship and award application windows open. Emails will be titled “Scholarship Opportunities” and provide specific instructions for the scholarship criteria and application process.

We are incredibly grateful and appreciative of these gifts and their positive impact for our students.  If you are interested in supporting the educational endeavors of our students, please reach out to University Advancement for information on how to set up a scholarship or award. 

 

College of Optometry Admissions Scholarships

Admission scholarships are typically merit-based awards that are determined by the admissions committee of the program. These scholarships are awarded to incoming students based on their academic achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and other factors that showcase their abilities and potential. The admissions committee reviews applicants' academic records, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, essays, and sometimes interview performance to assess their qualifications.

Alumni Scholarship (formerly College of Optometry Endowed Scholarship)

Eligibility Type: All currently enrolled optometry students.

This scholarship will be awarded to the College of Optometry students on the basis of need, merit, or other consideration as determined by the Dean of the College.

Brian R. Zinser, OD ’93 Endowment Scholarship

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Awarded to first year optometry students from northern California or Northern Nevada (students who grew up in and/or attended college in Northern California or Northern Nevada), renewable.

Danny Bickel Memorial Endowment Fund

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

For providing financial assistance for �鶹Ӱ�� College of Optometry students.

Dean’s Merit Award

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Awarded to 1 incoming 1st year Optometry student.  Awardee must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.5 after 1st year, 3.4 after 2nd year, 3.3 after 3rd year.

Dean’s Scholarship

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Awarded to 3 incoming students with the most promising future in private practice.

Robert A. Edwards OD ’71 Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Awarded to incoming student from northern Minnesota.

Hawaii Optometric Association Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Resident of Hawai'i entering College of Optometry. based on merit and demonstrated financial need, renewable as long as student remains in good academic standing.

James R. Odgen “Mad Dog” Class of 1973 Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Awarded at the time of admission to College of Optometry applicants that have distinguished academic standing in their under�鶹Ӱ�� program.

Martin Laderman, O.D. Endowed Fund

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Award to an OD degree seeking student interested in VT and pediatrics.

Dr. Robert M. Lohr, OD ’69 Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

To support Optometry students who are pursuing Optometry as a returning student after being employed in a different profession.  Student must demonstrate outstanding academic merit and scholarship may be renewed if the student is in good academic standing.

The Carol Pratt Scholarship

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

Awarded to outstanding Optometry students.

Wendell & Derra Force Endowed Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Type: Admissions Scholarship

To recruit incoming students to the COO and is renewable for all four years of study.

 

Continuing Optometry Student Scholarships

AFVA/OPW Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Type: 2^nd/3^rd/ 4^th Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: July-August

Selected by Research and Awards Committee based on merit. Students who meet the criteria will be asked to provide a current CV for final selection.

Second, third-, or fourth-year students in the College of Optometry who are from the State of Washington, who are student members of the Optometric Physicians of Washington, and who have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5.

ASCO Student Award in Clinical Studies

Eligibility Type: All currently enrolled optometry students.

Submission window: January

This, sponsored by Alcon, is available to optometry students during any point in their professional program at an ASCO-affiliated school or college of optometry in the US, Puerto Rico and Canada. The application consists of an essay of up to 1,500 words describing any one of the following scenarios:

• A patient-based case-study that the student encountered as part of their clinical learning experience.
• A research-based case scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning experience.
• A professional ethics-based scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning.

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 as a Word document or a PDF. Each school or college of optometry is permitted to submit only one essay through the assigned award coordinator for their school. A committee of the ASCO Ethics Educators SIG (Special Interest Group) will make the selection of one national recipient. The award will consist of a plaque and a cash award of $1,000.

Bernard and Selma Brown Optometry Scholarship for Veterans

Eligibility Type: All currently enrolled optometry students.

Submission Window: August

This scholarship is open to all current optometry students in good academic standing who have been honorably discharged from one of the branches of the United States Military, as well as those still serving on either active duty or in one of the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Littlefield Family Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility Type: All currently enrolled optometry students.

Submission Window:

Awarded to one student that is need based and from a rural community. First year students will be required to submit an essay stating their career goals, ambitions and why they chose to attend Pacific and study Optometry. First year applications will be reviewed by the University Admissions Committee. After one year, students applying to The Littlefield Family Endowed Scholarship will be selected by the committee charged with oversight of student scholarships in the �鶹Ӱ�� College of Optometry.

Drs. Dana and Katie Ziskrout Scholarship

Eligibility Type: 2^nd Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: September

One annual scholarship for a second-year optometry student in their first semester of study.  Based on the completion and submission of a 1,000-word essay "on the future of optometry and how HIPPA, local and national economies, and perceived need (of professional eye health care) play a role in success or failure of a practice."

Dr. Warren Meadowcroft Scholarship in Optometry

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year/ 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to 3rd or 4th year optometry students who exhibit proficient academic performance (minimum GPA 3.25) and express an intent to practice in rural areas of OR, WA, or ID.

Oregon Optometric Physicians Association Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility Type: 2^nd Year Optometry Students

Submission window: MarchMade annually by the College's Research and Awards Committee to provide tuition support to a College of Optometry student at the end of their second year..  A short essay outlining leadership roles is required along with a current CV. . Student must be an Oregon resident,member of OOPA and upon graduation planning on practicing in Oregon.

J. Pat Cummings Scholarship

Eligibility Type: 2^nd or 3^rd Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: July-August

To award a student who best demonstrates the ideal eye care standards of practice, achievement in both academic performance and extra-curricular activities, and participation with other professional pursuits such as involvement with patients through internships, community service, and other volunteer activities. (must be AAO member)

PECAA Award for Excellence in Future Private Practices

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: February

Awarded to a 4th year optometry student based on a short essay submission describing  interest in private practice optometry, and specific practice management goals.

CooperVision Award

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

Awarded to 3rd year student who has shown strong interest/commitment to CL care.

Peg Gilbert Award for Basic Visual Science

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

Shall be given annually to the student(s) at the �鶹Ӱ�� College of Optometry who, at the end of their second year, shall have earned the highest cumulative grade point average in those courses which are (a) basic science in content and (b) taught in tradition of the liberal arts. The College of Optometry Research and Awards Committee shall appoint a committee consisting of three members from the first-and second year faculty who also teach those selected optometry courses which are used in the award evaluation process.

GWCO (Dr. Harue J. Marsden) Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Type:3^rd Year Optometry Students

The GWCO Scholarship Fund (Dr. Harue J. Marsden. Scholarship) was established in 2002 to support a beginning 3rd year student from a GWCO Member state who demonstrates excellent ability in the areas of academics, clinical performance, and student and professional leadership in a GWCO member state.

William M. Ludlam OD and Diana Eastburn Ludlam Scholarship

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

The fund shall be used to support student scholarships within the College of Optometry.

Lion’s Club Service Award

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

Awarded to a student based on community service, involvement with the FG Lions Club and/or the Run/Walk 4 Sight and Hearing.

Littlefield Public Health Outreach Program Endowed Award

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

An award for clinical excellence in the public outreach program for a student completing their 3rd year. Recipients will be selected by the committee charged with oversight of student awards in the College of Optometry based on nominations from the Director of Outreach

VSP Endowed Student Leadership Scholarship

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

Distributions from this Fund shall be used to provide scholarship support to a student in any of the academic programs within the College of Optometry who demonstrates leadership and is considered a student leader. Student leaders can hold various roles within the College of Optometry. Eligibility for this scholarship requires student leaders to have an officer role within a club, student body government, or class council; or to be a teaching assistant or tutor, and/or to hold a work-study position that has a leadership component. For positions that may not be clear, the College of Optometry dean will make the final decision on whether or not the position qualifies for being a student leader within the College of Optometry. Distributions from this Fund shall be administered by the Director of Financial Aid or his/her/their designee(s) in consultation with the Dean of the College of Optometry or his/her/their designee(s).

Pacific Cataract and Laser Inst Endowed Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: February

3rd year optometry students interested in pursuing a career in medical surgical consultative care or medical mode of practice. The Research and Awards committee will select 3 nominees based on the criteria and a short essay. Final selection is determined by PCLI.

Paul Kohl Award for Excellence and Passion in the Area of Pediatrics and Binocular Vision

Eligibility Type: 3^rd Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: March

To be awarded to a 3rd year student (awarded at 3rd yr awards ceremony) who has shown passion and exceptional academic and clinical performance in the area of binocular vision and pediatrics.

Fourth-Year Optometry Student Awards

Alcon Case Report Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

The student must create a multi-Media video case report involving one of the following topics using ALCON products. Videos should be no greater than 5 minutes in length:

• ·  Successful contact lens refit from a spherical lens to an ALCON toric design to improve visual function
• ·  ALCON Multifocal contact lens fitting in patients with ocular surface disease
• ·  Successful ALCON contact lens wear and the impact of a healthy ocular surface
• ·  ALCON Artificial tear use in perioperative care (cataract or refractive surgery)
• ·  Multifocal contact lenses to an ALCON trifocal intraocular lens: Managing the range of vision lifecycle

The student with the winning multi-Media case report from each school will receive $2,000 which is paid out of the respective institution’s 2024 Alcon Partner in Education Program Fund and be entered in the National competition with a chance to win an additional $5000.

Award of Excellence in CL Patient Care (American Optometric Foundation and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care)

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Graduating 4th year who is a member of the AAO and has demonstrated outstanding clinical patient care as demonstrated by the student's (a) overall knowledge in the CL field, and (b) skillful, considerate and professional care of his/her CL patients.

Brian Lee Hill OD'95 Memorial Fund

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

4th OP student.  Each class during their third year, on the second Friday of September, will vote for the classmate they believe is the person who best embodies Brian's qualities. The person should be a true inspiration to all and bring their class together through friendship and leadership. The student receiving the greatest number of votes from the third-year class will be the awardee. The formal announcement will be made a year later at the fourth-year awards and graduation banquet.

BSK Silver Medal Award - Valedictorian

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to the Valedictorian.

CooperVision Travel Grants

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Graduating 4th years who are NOT doing a residency, Decision based on interest and Contact lens clinic grades.

COVD Excellence in Vision Therapy Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Graduating student who has demonstrated a strong interest and excellent clinical skills in the area of vision therapy.

Dean’s Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic scholarship, community service, commitment to fulfill the values of our university’s mission.

Donald A. Bybee Memorial Endowment for Visual Training

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Optometry student demonstrating best performance in vision therapy.  Awarded upon graduation.

Dr. Dennis Smith & Dr. Nada Lingel Award for Excellence in Systemic Disease

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: January

Awarded for excellence in Systemic Disease. The top performers in Systemic Disease will be asked to submit an essay describing the importance of general health to the optometric physician and the patients they serve and how the nominee sees themselves contributing in this area.

Dr. Dori Carlson & Dr. Mark Helgeson Endowed Optometry School

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: January

Distributions from this fund shall be used to provide financial support to students enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry degree program.   Eligibility is restricted to students in their 4th year who are in good academic standing and express intentions to establish a professional practice in a rural area.

Dr. Newton K. Wesley Foundation Fund Endowed Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Distributions from this Fund shall be used to provide scholarships to students enrolled in the �鶹Ӱ�� College of Optometry. Distributions from this Fund shall be administered by the Director of Financial Aid.

Eschenbach Low Vision Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to 4th year students who has shown excellence in clinical aspects in low vision care.

GP CL Clinical Excellence Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to 4th year student who has shown interest and enthusiasm in the fitting of GP Contact Lenses in their clinical environments.

Optelec Low Vision Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to a distinguished student.

OPW Student Member of the Year Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: March

4th year OPW student in good standing.

• Student can nominate themselves and include their CV and one letter of recommendation from faculty at their optometry school or from any OPW doctor in good standing
• Optometry faculty member and/or OPW doctor can nominate a 4th year optometry student and their CV is not required.

PUCO Outstanding Clinician Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to one fourth-year optometry student who has demonstrated outstanding performance as an all-around optometric clinician.

Tole Greenstein Memorial Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Awarded to one fourth-year optometry student who has demonstrated outstanding contribution to VT or PEDS through research or clinical application.

VSP/AAOF Practice Excellence Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

Submission Window: July

Awarded to students who are entering the 4th year who have demonstrated excellence in the delivery of primary eye care services.  Candidates must have a GPA in the top half of their class and should have a commitment to enter the independent practice of optometry.  Participation in the private practice or practice management club on campus recommended with special consideration given to students who have served a leadership role.

William Feinbloom Low Vision Award

Eligibility Type: 4^th Year Optometry Students

To reward a student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in the field of low vision.