Veterinary technician scholarship recipients announced

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The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., (BI) shared the news that 20 technicians were chosen to receive $2,500 in tuition assistance. This is the second year in a row the Tuition for Technicians (T4T) Scholarship program has provided these scholarships to newly graduated students.

“Our commitment to improving the health and well-being of animals is founded on a commitment to serve the veterinary community and their evolving needs,” said Randolph Legg, President and Head of Commercial Business at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc., in the organizational release.¹ “Veterinary technicians are the front lines of protecting and advancing animal health and we’re proud to support their education through these scholarships.”

According to the release, the T4T Scholarship program was launched in 2022 to help meet the need for certified veterinary technicians (CrVT) within the animal health industry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage for veterinary technicians and technologists is $19.60 with a mean annual wage of $40,770 in 2022.² Through the program, BI has committed to give $250,000 in over 5 years, which will provide scholarships to 20 applicants each year.¹ The winning applicants will receive 2,500 each.

The 2023 recipients are:¹

• Joanna Barrera from Truckee Meadows Community College
  Yeira Berkheiser from Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
• Angela Cano from San Juan College
• Annalise Curtin from Harcum College
• Kamri Deley from Kent State University at Trumbull
• Kyra Foster from Mississippi State University
• Deja Gibson from Midwest Institute
• Sarah Henderson from Long Island University
• Danielle Hynes from Penn Foster College
• Eden Ivey Van Landeghem from Midwest Institute
• Anna Linthicum from Murray State College
• Alexa Lopez from California State Polytech University, Pomona
• Morgan Odom, Blinn College District
• Gabriella Paz from Mercy College
• Amanda Pollack from Appalachian State University
• Brianne Santos from Mercy College
• Katherine Schmitt from Northwood Technical College
• AmyGrace Shoop from Baker College
• Cheryl Wheelock from Penn Foster College
• Wednesday Yee from Foothill College Veterinary Technology Program

“We at NAVTA are proud to partner once again with BI to help make the education of our future generations of Veterinary Technicians and Nurses a more affordable reality. The 20 recipients of the T4T scholarships are leading the way to help make our profession a better place,” Jamie Rauscher, LVT, NAVTA president.¹

To be eligible for the current student scholarship, applicants must have completed at least 1 year of program requirements as a full-time student in an AVMA-accredited program, submit transcripts showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a letter from the Registrar, or program director, confirming current enrollment at full-time status.1 Students interested must also be a member of the NAVTA Student Membership, a SCNAVTA membership preferred and a 500-word essay discussing where they would like to see the veterinary technician/nursing profession within the next decade.

The recent graduate scholarship applicants must have graduated between 2021-2023 from an AVMA-Accredited program. They must submit both their transcript showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and their graduation date, a letter confirming current employment as a CrVT, and a minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 professional letters of recommendation.¹ They must also submit a 500-word essay explaining where they hope to see the profession in 10 years and have a NAVTA Credentialed Membership.

A task force made up of NAVTA members and representatives of Boehringer Ingelheim will judge the submissions to determine the recipients. The 2024 applications will open in the first quarter of 2024.

Reference

1. NAVTA and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc. Announce 2023 Scholarship Recipients. News release. National Association of Veterinary Technicians. October 20, 2023. Accessed October 30, 2023. https://navta.net/news/navta-and-boehringer-ingelheim-animal-health-usa-inc-announce-2023-scholarship-recipients/
2. 29-2056 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed October 30, 2023. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292056.htm#nat