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Student Scholarships

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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. 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. 

The 2023 Student Scholarship Application Cycle has closed.
Winners have been announced! 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2023 WINNERS AND PAST RECIPIENTS

Information for Students

FOREA Educational Scholarships are available to incoming second year and advanced standing students enrolled in an AOC or COC orthoptic/vision science program and graduating in 2024. This merit-based funding is intended to support the development of highly capable orthoptic students by facilitating their participation in educational opportunities.

 

Students may apply for funding for expenses including, but not limited to:

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  • Matriculation in an Orthoptic Training Program

  • Attendance at regional, national, or international Orthoptic meetings, including but not limited to:

    • AAPOS, WSPOS, IOA or ISA meetings

  • Tuition for online educational opportunities

  • Other acceptable educational opportunities

 

Reference Letters

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  • Two letters of recommendation are required.

  • One letter MUST come from your current Orthoptic Training Program Director. 

  • Please give your program director this Letter for Program Director Referees

    • This letter outlines the information the Committee requires to support your application.​

    • In addition to a letter or recommendation, your program director is required to fill out the following questionnaire

  • Please give your second referee this Letter for Referees

2023 Application Portal is Now Closed

Any Questions can be addressed to:

Carole M. Panton, CO, OC(C) at cpanton@gmail.com

Chair - FOREA Educational Scholarship Committee

 

Interested in supporting FOREA's Scholarship Program and Future Orthoptists? 

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