ST. LOUIS— Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation announced recently that it is now accepting applications for five scholarship opportunities for optometry student members of the American Optometric Association and the American Optometric Student Association.

The value of the scholarships available for 2017-18 total more than $30,000, according to AOA. The scholarships and their value are:

• Vision West Inc. scholarship for InfantSEE – First-place: $7,500 for a third-year student, runner-up: $3,000 for a third-year student. There is an essay and video requirement.
Vision West Inc., a leading national eyecare group purchasing organization (GPO) offering optometric business services to its members, and Optometry Cares are again offering a national scholarship program to promote InfantSEE.

• Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship, sponsored by Essilor – $10,000 for one third-year student. The requirements include letters of recommendation, essay, and video or PowerPoint.
This scholarship 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. The requirements include a letter of recommendation and an essay.
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. There is an 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. There is an 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.

According to AOA, each school will judge the submitted entries and select one nominee for each scholarship, based on the specific criteria and eligibility. This is similar to previous years. Each school also should 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 October 31, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. (CST).

Questions about the scholarships can be directed to program manager Brittany Broombaugh at BBroombaugh@aoa.org, or by telephone at (314) 983-4176.