AVMA/AVMF Scholarship for Veterans
Overview
In honor of the 100th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s signing of the National Defense Act of 1916 and creating a Veterinary Corps within the U.S. Army, the AVMA and AVMF established a special scholarship for military veterans pursuing an education in veterinary medicine. Scholarships are available to veterans of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy currently in their 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of veterinary school at any AVMA accredited school.
Meet the 2023 AVMA/AVMF Scholarship for Veterans recipients
North Carolina State University
Nilsa Aviles-Scaffidi
“This scholarship is such an honor for me! It solidifies the idea that hard work, perseverance and late night study sessions have paid off. This has brought me one step closer to achieving my goal in becoming a veterinarian and one day board certified veterinary cardiologist. I am grateful for this opportunity and support from AVMF. Thank you!”
Kansas State University
Desiree Bentler
“This award comes at a crucial time for my husband and I as we welcome our first child into the world! It alleviates many stressors that will inevitably come with raising a child and pursuing my dream career at the same time. Thank you for supporting veterans in creating the lives we dream of and for making it possible to be the veterinarians that our future clients and patients deserve!”
Ross University
Matthew Brecht
“This scholarship is a helping hand in the daunting challenge of progressing from my Army career to the career of my dreams.”
University of Minnesota
Sarah Hills
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to be a recipient of the AVMA Military Veteran Scholarship. This award significantly reduces the financial burden of veterinary school and allows me to focus on academics. Thank you so much to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation!”
University of Georgia
Anthony Kochensparger
“Thank you! Words cannot convey the thankfulness and gratitude I have for the AVMF. Receiving this scholarship is a blessing and will go directly towards my education. I’m proud of all of my fellow veterans who have continued to find ways to serve our communities and pursue our dreams. God Bless.”
University of Pennsylvania
Angela Nickel
“This scholarship is helping relieve some of the financial stress that tags along with a veterinary degree, allowing me to focus on schoolwork. With this scholarship I am one step closer to achieving my goal of graduating debt free, with the aim of obtaining a fulfilling career in equine medicine without the pull to switch fields later on in order to pay off loans. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship and the support from the AVMF to veterans like me. Thank you!”
Texas A & M University
Thomas Payne
“This scholarship enables me to serve others and have a positive tangible impact through a career in veterinary medicine. I would not have been able to transition from the military to veterinary school, at this point in my life without the support and sacrifice of my family. This award mitigates the financial impact of my education on them, and enables me to focus on my studies and my family.”
Lincoln Memorial University
Dylan Sweet
“Receiving this scholarship shows me that even though I can no longer actively serve my country in the Marine Corps, there are still those out there that appreciate my service, and my decision to enlist. Veterinary School is hard, and very expensive, so being chosen to get this scholarship eases that financial burden, and further allows me to pursue my dream of being a veterinarian.”
University of Minnesota
Amanda Welch
“These funds will enable me to pursue shelter medicine experiences and externships throughout my final year of vet school. This will set me up to continue to pursue a career serving the community upon graduation. When I left the military, I thought I was on my own for this journey. This could not have been more untrue. I feel immense gratitude to the AVMA/AVMF and their donors for this opportunity. Thank you for continuing to support veterans.”