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School of Optometry

Scholarships & Awards

Endowed Scholarships

Scholarship applications will open in April and close in May each year for awards made that following academic year. Student affairs will communicate the open date and application deadline via email during the spring semester.

The UAB School of Optometry offers scholarships and awards that provide financial support for our outstanding Optometry students. Currently, the School has numerous endowed optometry scholarships which were generously given by alumni and friends of the School of Optometry. Some scholarships provide multiple awards. Most awards range in value between $500 and $1500 each, though there are exceptions that have higher award amounts.

All scholarship applications must be submitted using the application link sent by Student Affairs in the spring. The scholarship application deadline is May 1st of each year. Awards will be posted to student accounts at the beginning of the fall semester.

For additional information about the scholarship process, please contact Jakobe Perry, perryjm@uab.edu.

  • Scholarship Qualifications
    • Applicants must be admitted and have paid their deposit or be enrolled in the UAB School of Optometry.
    • All scholarships require at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for all coursework; incoming students MUST use the undergraduate GPA they submitted with their application.
    • Applicants must submit a resume showcasing their extracurricular activities, job and/or volunteer experience, and leadership involvement.

    In addition to applying for these scholarships, all applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens a new website through the UAB Financial Aid Office to be considered for financing assistance, federal loans, and need-based scholarships.

  • Endowed Scholarships List
    • The Abel Family Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Abraham Azman Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Aharon Sternberg Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Arol Augsburger, O.D. Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Birmingham Area Optometric Society Endowed Optometry Award Fund
    • The Bob and Hulene Crosby Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Clark F. Amos Endowed Optometry Presidential Scholarship
    • The Day Family Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Douglas & Connie Clark Endowed Optometry Leadership Scholarship
    • The Dr. Bradford W. Wild Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Catherine S. Amos Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Charles A “Scotty” McCallum Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. E.C. Overton Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Elbert A. (Bert) Coshatt / Alumni Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Ernest DeBakey Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Jess Boyd Eskridge / UABSO Alumni Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Jimmy Bartlett Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Kristine Hopkins Vision Therapy Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. L. Don Snellgrove Endowed Scholarship in Optometry
    • The Dr. Lester Caplan / CIBA Vision Corporation Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Dr. Terrence N. Ingraham Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Paul S. Worrell Endowed Memorial Optometry Scholarship
    • The Drs. Debi & Rod Nowakowski Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Drs. James & Robin Marbourg Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Drs. John and Catherine Amos Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Edgar M. Warr Endowed Alumni Scholarship
    • The Energen / Alagasco Endowed Scholarship
    • The Essilor of America Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Eydie C. Jones Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences Student Optometry Scholarship Endowment
    • The Florence Lions Club Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Fredric and Marion Rosemore Family Foundation Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Helen and David Bunkin Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Heersink Family Foundation Scholarship in Optometry
    • The Heersink Family Optometric Scholarship Endowment in Optometry
    • The Henry B. Peters Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The HOYA Vision Care Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The John & Jeanne Classe’ Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The John A. Williamson Endowed Scholarship in the School of Optometry
    • The Lee Dickerson Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Luxottica Eye Care Student Leadership Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Marin & Rita Gaffney Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The New Orleans Contact Lens Society Scholarship (2)
    • The Richard B. Booth Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Robert and Judy Rutstein Binocular Vision Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Sara Fran Hanan Endowed Award Fund for Low Vision
    • The Schaeffer Eye Center Endowed Award Fund
    • The SECO International Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The SECO University Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Smith-Hammonds Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Southern Council of Optometrists Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Sylvia D. Worrell Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Vision Care Institute Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Whitewater Creek Symposia Endowed Optometry Scholarship
    • The Zeiss Endowed Optometry Scholarship

Alabama Board of Optometry Scholarship and Loan Awards

The Alabama Board of Optometric Scholarship and Loan Awards (BOSLA) considers candidates for an upfront award of up to $140K in return for at least six years of service in an Alabama small town/rural community in need of an optometry professional.

Selected candidates will be interviewed by the Board of Optometry Scholarships. Applications should be submitted via the link below. Questions should be submitted to Dr. Gerald Simon at gsimonod@uab.edu.

Apply for ABOSLA Scholarships Opens an external link.

  • Scholarship Requirements

    The Board of Optometry Scholarships considers candidates for an upfront award of up to $140K in return for at least six years of service in an Alabama small town/rural community in need of an optometry professional.

    The award money is in addition to any regular earnings – it does not replace or constitute an awardee’s practice income. First through fourth year students are eligible to apply. In-state residency for UAB is not required.

  • Application Requirements

    Personal Statement: The personal statement represents a significant portion of the candidate’s application score. Please provide a typewritten, 12 font sized, double-spaced, one-page essay that briefly explains:

    1. Why you are applying to the Board of Optometry Rural Service Program.
    2. How your professional goals relate to the eye health/healthcare workforce needs in Alabama.
    3. Please describe in detail what you think makes you a good fit for practicing optometry in a small-town setting.

    Resume: Please provide a one-to-two-page resume (12-point font, double spaced) outlining your relevant professional and volunteer experience only. Only resumes meeting specifications will be evaluated.

    Recommendation letters from two (2) professional or educational references (Please do not include recommendations from relatives, employees or acquaintances). One recommendation must come from an optometrist who can attest to the applicant’s fit for this program. Note: Professional references that are specific, varied and representative of the candidate’s past will be weighed most favorably.

  • Why Practice in a Rural Community?

    Small town life has many unique advantages. The local optometrist is viewed as a pillar of the community, benefiting from stronger connections. They face less practice saturation and less competition, while incurring relatively low overhead costs. And they can develop a broad range of clinical skills by engaging in a wide variety of procedures. Small town optometrists make a huge difference.

  • Qualifying Counties

    The qualifying counties are subject to change depending upon workforce metrics:

    • Bullock
    • Chambers
    • Coosa
    • Greene
    • Henry
    • Lowndes
    • Monroe
    • Perry
    • Russell
    • Sumter
    • Washington
    • Wilcox

Student Awards

The UAB School of Optometry is proud to recognize students who demonstrate excellence in academics, clinical care, leadership, and service. The awards and scholarships below are presented annually to honor outstanding achievements and contributions by our students.

  • Graduate Day Awards of Distinction

    Dean’s Award of Excellence

    • Award: Plaque and $1,000
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    The Dean’s Award of Excellence is presented to a graduating fourth-year student who exemplifies outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service. Nominees may be submitted by faculty, staff, and students. The recipient is selected collaboratively by representatives of the graduating class, faculty, and the Dean.

    Bridge Builder Award

    • Award: Plaque and $500
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    The Bridge Builder Award honors a student who serves as a strong advocate for their peers and is deeply committed to service. This student works actively to foster meaningful connections between students and faculty while promoting collaboration and community across the school.

    Heart for Service Award

    • Award: Plaque and $500
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    The Heart for Service Award recognizes a student with a demonstrated passion for service. This award is presented to a student who has made significant contributions to community service, either through leadership roles or through a substantial commitment of time in service-focused organizations at UAB.

    Faculty Spotlight Award

    • Award: Plaque and $500
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    Selected by the faculty, the Faculty Spotlight Award honors a student who stands out for their willingness to support classmates and contribute positively to the learning environment. This may include consistently helping peers, actively engaging in classroom or clinic discussions, or demonstrating exceptional professionalism and collegiality.

    Jess Boyd Eskridge Clinical Excellence Award

    • Award: Plaque and $500
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    This Award of Distinction is presented to the graduating student who best demonstrates excellence in clinical patient care across all UAB School of Optometry clinics. The recipient consistently shows superior clinical skills, professionalism, and dedication to patient-centered care.

    Southern Council of Optometrists Clinical Excellence Award

    • Award: $1,000
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    Selected by the Primary Care faculty attendings, this award recognizes a top student who exemplifies excellence in patient care in the primary care clinic throughout their time at the UAB School of Optometry.

    Student Ambassador Leadership Award

    • Award: Plaque and gift card
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    The Student Ambassador Leadership Award is presented to a student selected by Student Affairs who demonstrates exceptional leadership in student recruitment and engagement with visitors helping shape positive and knowledgeable first impressions of our program and embodying the values of service and leadership within the UAB and UABSO community.

    Alabama Optometric Association Leadership Award

    • Award: Plaque and $500
    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    Selected by members of the Dean’s Group, this award honors a student who has demonstrated outstanding and proven leadership qualities and is recognized as a future leader in the optometric profession.

  • Other Awards and Scholarships

    Dr. Robert B. Mandell GP Clinical Excellence Award

    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    Selected by the contact lens faculty, this award is presented to a student who demonstrates outstanding achievement and clinical excellence in the fitting and management of gas permeable (GP) contact lenses.

    Good-Lite Award for Excellence in Pediatric Optometry

    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    Chosen by the pediatric optometry faculty, this award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in pediatric patient care and a strong commitment to serving children and their families.

    Low Vision Excellence Awards

    • Eligibility: Fourth-year students

    These awards are presented to students who excel in both the Low Vision course and clinic and who demonstrate a strong interest in incorporating low vision care into their future practice:

    • Optelec Excellence in Low Vision Award (Certificate and Low Vision Starter Kit)
    • Design for Vision Incorporated/William Feinbloom Low Vision Award (Plaque and $1,000)
    • Eschenbach Low Vision Award (Certificate and Diagnostic Set)

    Vision America / Dr. Rod Nowakowski Co-Management Award

    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    This award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in the ocular disease clinic, with particular distinction in the co-management of patients requiring interdisciplinary care.

    Alcon Fourth-Year Student Scholarship Award

    • Eligibility: Fourth-year student

    This scholarship awards eligible students for excellence in clinical education and professional development. Learn more about the award and application process on the Alcon Fourth-Year Student Scholarship information page.

    American Academy of Optometry Student Awards, Scholarships, and Travel Grants

    The American Academy of Optometry offers a variety of awards, scholarships, and travel grants to recognize academic excellence, research involvement, and professional engagement. Visit the American Academy of Optometry Student Awards and Grants page for additional information.

    Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation Scholarships

    Optometry Cares provides multiple scholarship opportunities to support optometry students across the nation. Additional details are available on the Optometry Cares student scholarships webpage.

    ASCO Student Award in Clinical Ethics

    The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Student Award in Clinical Ethics recognizes a student who demonstrates exemplary ethical behavior and decision-making in clinical care. Learn more on the ASCO Student Award in Clinical Ethics webpage.