Scholarship program for technician students and recent graduates now accepting applications

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Awarded annually, the Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship program for veterinary technician students and recent graduates, funded by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA (BI), has been renewed and is currently accepting applications.

The program was established in 2022 to address the growing demand for credentialed veterinary technicians in the veterinary profession. Up to 20 recipients will be selected in the fall of 2024 and awarded $2500 for each scholarship.The scholarship funds can be allocated towards tuition fees, class/lab supplies, textbooks, and student loans. Upon selection, recipients will receive the funds via direct email.¹ 

Veterinary technicians play an integral role in the clinic, whether it be through tasks like monitoring anesthesia patients, taking X-rays, or conducting other examination and diagnostic procedures. However, their role extends beyond the clinic, such as research settings.¹ “The more credentialed veterinary technicians and other non-DVM staff you have supporting each veterinarian, the more likely it is that your hospital will operate efficiently,” wrote the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in an organizational release.² Moreover, research has consistently demonstrated a strong correlation between greater involvement of certified veterinary technicians and a rise in veterinary clinic revenue.²

Acknowledging veterinary technicians’ crucial role, BI announced its commitment to funding the Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship program through 2026. “Our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of animals is founded on a commitment to serve the veterinary community and their evolving needs,” Randolph Legg, president and head of commercial business at Boehringer Ingelheim said in a news release.¹ “Veterinary technicians are on the front lines of protecting and advancing animal health and we’re proud to support their education through these scholarships.”

“Based on NAVTA’s 2022 Demographic Survey results, more than 1 in 3 credentialed veterinary technicians have student debt averaging close to $30,000,” said Jamie Rauscher, LVT, NAVTA president.¹ “Once again, this year, NAVTA and Boehringer Ingelheim have extended the scholarships they are offering to include recent graduates of [AVMA]-accredited Veterinary Technology/Nursing programs. We hope that the Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship will help our colleagues (and future colleagues) pursue and continue growing in the veterinary field with less of a financial burden, thus allowing them to thrive and grow into emerging leaders of our profession. The Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship will help an entire generation of students pursue their career in veterinary nursing with less financial burden,” Rauscher stated.¹

The deadline for application submission is July 22, 2024. Recipients of the Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship will be evaluated and chosen by the NAVTA/BI Scholarship Task Force. The Task Force will consider eligibility criteria, application professionalism, and the completeness, spelling, and grammar of the submitted essays. NAVTA will inform successful applicants of their selection by October 2, 2024. The winners will be publicly announced and awarded during National Veterinary Technician Week, taking place October 13, 2024 to October 19, 2024.¹ Eligibility criteria and instructions for applying can be found on NAVTA’s website.

References

1. NAVTA-Boehringer Ingelheim scholarship program for veterinary technician students and recent graduates. News release. Boehringer Ingelheim. May 24, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://bi-animalhealth.com/articles/veterinary-technicians-scholarship-tuition-navta-boehringer-ingelheim
2. How empowering veterinary technicians supports practice success. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/practice-management/how-empowering-veterinary-technicians-supports-practice-success