The Top Animal Lover Scholarships in 2024
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With the rising costs of education, pursuing our passion for animal welfare may seem out of reach. Student loans are of course, an option, but who wants to be saddled with debt for years after graduation?
Fear not, because there are numerous scholarships available specifically for avid animal lovers. In this article, we will explore the world of animal lover scholarships and how you can secure funding to fuel your love for animals and make a meaningful difference in the world. So, let’s dive in and discover the opportunities that await.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind About Animal Lover Scholarships
✔ The information below is current as of this writing. Awards, rules, and availability of prizes can change and are at the discretion of the scholarship provider.
✔ This list includes basic information. For complete details and instructions, please refer to the scholarship provider. I’ve provided links below.
✔ A broken link doesn’t necessarily mean the organization no longer offers scholarships. Some create new scholarship pages for each specific year. If you see a promising scholarship but the link takes you to a non-existent page, I’d still do an online search.
✔ Since the following organizations tend to offer scholarships on a regular basis, I didn’t include dates and timelines.
If you’re looking for insights on choosing a career with animals, you might enjoy reading Pet Jobs 101 – How to Choose Your Dream Job and Jumpstart Your Business, a book by Wendy Van de Poll
Animal Lover Scholarships
Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship
Sponsored by Pet Lifestyle and You (P.L.A.Y.), a company that manufactures premium pet products.
Award: First prize: $1,500 scholarship; second prize: $300 and pet supplies donated to an animal shelter of your choice; third prize: $200 and pet supplies donated to an animal shelter of your choice.
Eligibility: Must be enrolled as a full-time high school senior.
Please note: Requires photos and essay detailing your volunteer efforts to help needy animals.
Oxbow Animal Health Academic Scholarships
Oxbow, a company that makes food and pet supplies for small exotic animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits, offers four categories of scholarships. Requirements include an essay, letters of reference, and proof of full-time enrollment in college or upcoming enrollment.
Nebraska High School Scholarship
A $1,000 scholarship for Nebraska high school seniors planning to pursuing an education and career in the companion animal industry.
Undergraduate Scholarship
A $1,000 scholarship for currently-college students who’ve demonstrated a career interest in companion animals.
Veterinary Technology Scholarship
A $500 scholarship for students currently enrolled in a veterinary tech program showing a strong interest in a career in small and exotic animal medicine.
Veterinary Medicine Scholarship
A $2,000 scholarship for students currently enrolled in veterinary school and who demonstrate an interest in small and exotic animal medicine.
The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship for Native Bird Habitat
This scholarship is sponsored by the Garden Club of America (GCA) and administered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The award: $4500 scholarship, awarded to at least one student each year.
Eligibility: College senior and graduate students.
Please note: This is a merit-based scholarship intended for students studying U.S. areas that provide seasonal habitat for threatened or endangered native birds.
Garden Club of America scholarship details
Merck Animal Health Scholarship
Sponsored by Merck and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The award: $5,000 scholarships. Doesn’t mention how many but that during the last several years, they’ve awarded prizes to more than 340 veterinary students.
Eligibility: Second and third year veterinary students attending accredited veterinary schools in the United States, Canada and Caribbean.
Please note: Must demonstrate academic excellence and participation (including in a leadership capacity) in both university and external organizations. Financial need is also a criteria.
John D. Spurling Scholarship
Sponsored by AKC Humane Fund, the charitable arm of the AKC.
The award: (5) scholarships per year, totaling $10,000.
Eligibility: Full-time student at accredited U.S. institution enrolled in courses focusing on the pet care. Includes students pursuing courses in veterinary medicine & technology, physical therapy, animal care, animal behavior, pet grooming, and training.
Please note: Essay (via questions on application), letters of recommendations, excellent academic standing, and community experience with responsible pet ownership.
Pawsible Puppy Raiser Academic Scholarship
Pawsible is an organization that supports Puppy Raisers, volunteers who raise and train puppies to be assistance dogs.
The award: (5) $2,500 scholarships, offered twice per year.
Eligibility: Must be a volunteer Puppy Raiser with financial responsibility for a future assistance dog for a non-profit organization.
Please note: Must be enrolled in an accredited two-year or four-year institution college on at least a part-time basis. Selection criteria include a commitment to Puppy Raising and financial need.
Zoetis/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship Program
Sponsored by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges in partnership with the Zoetis Foundation. Zoetis produces medicine for pets and other types of animals.
The award: $2,000 scholarship. More than 300 awards are available.
Eligibility: Second and third year veterinary students
Please note: Must be enrolled at a vet school in the U.S. in good standing.
Rover Scholarship
Rover is a network of pet sitters and dog walkers.
The award: $2,500 scholarship
Eligibility: Must be a graduating high school senior or a freshman, sophomore, or junior in college who is pursuing an associates, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
Please note: Requires applicants to submit an essay, and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
Winn Feline Foundation and the American Association of Feline Practitioners Scholarships
The Winn Foundation is now called EveryCat Health Foundation.
The award: (2) $2,500 scholarships for veterinary students, one interested in feline practice and another in clinical scientific research (you must adhere to strict humane standards of care).
Eligibility: For third or fourth year vet students enrolled in an accredited veterinary colleges.
Please note: Applicants are judged on a number of criteria, including academic achievement, financial need, demonstration of leadership skills, and an interest in feline health.
Winn & AAFP scholarship details
Future Miracle Workers Scholarship Program
Offered by Walkin’ Pets, a company that makes wheelchairs and other products for handicapped pets.
The award: (1) $1,000 scholarship for a doctoral student entering or enrolled in veterinary school; and (1) $500 scholarship for a canine rehabilitation or veterinary tech student.
Eligibility: For both programs, the applicants must be a full-time student.
Please note: Requires an essay.
Walkin’ Pets scholarship details
A Voice for Animals Contest
This is not technically a scholarship. The content is sponsored by Humane Education Network and Animal Welfare Institute, with assistance from Palo Alto Humane Society.
The award: Varying levels of cash prizes. Multiple winners.
Eligibility: High school students
Please note: Merit-based contest, based on essay, video essay, or photographs that demonstrate an interest in advocating against animal cruelty.
A Voice for Animals scholarship details
Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar Program
This is a grant providing winners with the opportunity to conduct research that advances the health and well-being of cats, dogs, and other animals.
The award: $5,500 grant. Multiple awards are given.
Eligibility: Current veterinary students
Please note: Also open to international students.
Morris Animal Foundation scholarship details
Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program
This scholarship is awarded by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) in partnership with Chewy Health.
The award: $20,000 scholarship. Multiple awards are given.
Eligibility: Third-year veterinary students from underserved groups
Please note: Winners will also receive resources to support them in their veterinary career.
Dog iD Scholarship
Dog iD sells dog collars, leashes, and other pet gear.
The award: $1000 scholarship, which can be used for tuition, books, or any education-related expenses.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate college students.
Please note: There are no GPA requirements, but applicants will need to submit a 500-word essay on a topic that they choose.
Other Places to Search for College Cash
The college scholarships for animal lovers listed above just scratch the service. Here are a few places to check for both merit- and need-based scholarships.
Schools You’re Enrolled in or Plan to Attend
Colleges, universities, and trade schools often offer a limited number of grants and scholarships. Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University, for example, lists dozens of scholarships for current veterinary medicine students.
The financial aid office at your college (or high school) is also a great places to ask about scholarships offered by external organizations.
Organizations, Clubs, and Associations
Every legitimate career field that I know of is represented by at least one professional organization. Do an online search for the field you’re interested in -whether it’s veterinary technology, pet massage, or animal law- to see if they offer scholarships, or if they know of any places where you might check. Don’t limit yourself to general categories, either. In veterinary medicine, for example, associations exist for different specialties (like dermatology or behavior) and types of animals (cats or birds).
Also check with any clubs and organizations you’ve every belonged to about scholarships they may offer to members and their families. A few ideas are service fraternal organizations, churches, and hobby clubs.
Your Place of Employment
Some employers offer scholarships or generous benefits that include partial, and even full tuition reimbursement. Examples of companies that offer tuition assistance -as well as other amazing employee benefits and flexible work options– include Grand Canyon University, ASPCA, and Hain Celestial Group.
The scholarship process isn’t easy. Searching for awards you qualify for is time-consuming, and spending hours preparing an application and writing an essay only to be told you haven’t won, is frustrating as heck. While scholarships are never guaranteed, they can really be worth the effort. Good luck!
This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!
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