ST. LOUIS—Optometry Cares is once again opening up the application period for several scholarships; more than $30,000 will be available for students for the 2018-2019 school year. As in the past, each school will judge the submitted entries and select one nominee for each scholarship, based on the specific criteria and eligibility. Optometry Cares advised each school to set an appropriate on-campus deadline so that there is ample opportunity to judge, select and submit the entries to Optometry Cares no later than Oct. 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. (CST). Five scholarship opportunities are available to optometry student members of the American Optometric Association and the American Optometric Student Association.

Vision West and Healthy Eyes Advantage Scholarship for InfantSEE
First-place: $7,500 for a third-year student
Runner-up: $3,000 for a third-year student
Essay and Video Requirement
Vision West, Inc. and Healthy Eyes Advantage are pleased to again offer a national scholarship program to promote InfantSEE.

Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship
$10,000 for one third-year student
Letters of Recommendation, Essay, and Video or PowerPoint Requirement
This scholarship is sponsored by Essilor and honors Bernard Maitenaz, one of the foremost authorities in optical science and engineering. Maitenaz is the inventor of the Varilux lens and has worked at Essilor for 43 years.

Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Scholarship
$5,000 for a fourth-year student
Letter of Recommendation and Essay Requirement
Sponsored in part by Johnson & Johnson Vision and in tribute to father and son, the Cummings family has established the Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Memorial Fund through Optometry Cares. This scholarship allows the legacy of two amazing individuals to live on.

Dr. Seymour Galina Scholarship
$2,500 for one third-year student
Essay Requirement
Optometry Cares is pleased to offer the Dr. Seymour Galina Scholarship to a third-year student who best addresses the topic, "Qualities I have developed through my financial planning/work experience during and/or before optometry school, that I believe will be most useful to me in a professional optometric practice.”

Dr. Larry J. Alexander Scholarship for Education
$2,500 for one third-year student
Essay Requirement
Sponsored in part by Optovue, this scholarship was established to honor the late Dr. Larry J. Alexander and his dedication to his work as an educator. Dr. Alexander's impact on optometry is only surpassed by his kindness and commitment to helping others.