Student Scholarships
FOREA has awarded over $70,000 (USD) in scholarships to eligible students. FOREA Scholarships are available to incoming second year and advanced standing students enrolled in an American Orthoptic Council (AOC) or Canadian Orthoptic Council (COC) orthoptic/vision science accredited program. This merit-based funding is intended to support the development of highly capable orthoptic students by facilitating their participation in educational opportunities. Congratulations to the 2022 winners!
2022 FOREA Scholarship Winners
First Place and $4000 (USD)
Second Place and $2500
Third Place and $ 1000
Fourth Place and $500
Lisa Vanover
Columbus Orthoptic Fellowship
Aleah Bolinger
University of Iowa
Brooke Hollar
Vanderbilt Eye Institute
Kira Poon
Vancouver Orthoptic Program
Kierra Winn
University of Minnesota
Kalpit Patel
University of Iowa
Because orthoptics is a highly specialized profession and there is not a large number of Certified Orthoptists in North America, educational scholarships that are numerous and accessible in the general medical community are not readily available to students going into orthoptics. This has created a void in access of care for these specialized patients who need to see an orthoptist to treat their debilitating eye conditions. A viable Foundation offering educational scholarships whose beneficiaries are orthoptic students could potentially increase the number of orthoptists working in North America and improve access to care for patients. We could use your help in supporting our rising stars. It can be very difficult for orthoptic students to gain any kind of funding to support their educational needs. With your generous donation to the Foundation for Orthoptic Research and Education in the Americas, FOREA can support more students going into the profession. Please consider donating to FOREA today.
Interested in supporting FOREA's Scholarship Program and Future Orthoptists?
Information for Students
Students may apply for funding for expenses including, but not limited to:
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Matriculation in an Orthoptic Training Program
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Attendance at regional, national, or international Orthoptic meetings, including but not limited to:
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AAPOS, WSPOS, IOA or ISA meetings
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Tuition for online educational opportunities
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Other acceptable educational opportunities
Reference Letters
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Two letters of recommendation are required.
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One letter MUST come from your current Orthoptic Training Program Director.
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Please give your program director this Letter for Referees
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This letter outlines the information the Committee requires to support your application.
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The 2023 Scholarship Cycle is now closed. Check back this spring for Scholarship Opportunities!
Any Questions can be addressed to:
Carole M. Panton, CO, OC(C) at cpanton@gmail.com
Chair - FOREA Educational Scholarship Committee