Financial Support for Students of Veterinary Medicine

Each year, the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation awards over $150,000 in veterinary scholarships. Scholarship selection is based on good academic standing, applicant’s achievements, honors, and leadership experience, financial need, and applicant’s desire to practice veterinary medicine and/or benefit animal health in the state of Minnesota. MVMF scholarships are available to MVMA members only (University of MN Veterinary Students are automatically enrolled as Student Members, and the fee is already covered under your SAVMA Student Bundle. Learn more about MVMA student membership here).

Scholarship Application Instructions

The application deadline is December 1.

The scholarship application form will ask for the following documents. Please ensure you have the documents ready to upload, as this application cannot be saved and finished at a later time.

1. Resume
• Resume should not exceed three pages. Please detail your veterinary experience (including volunteer and/or employment positions held, externships, research positions, and clinical rotations if applicable), along with community and scholastic leadership experience. In addition, list any honors, publications, or scholarships awarded.
2. Letter of recommendation
• This may be submitted separately to info@mvmfcares.org

Responses to the following questions:

What sets you apart from other veterinary students? What characteristics do you possess that uniquely qualify you for this scholarship? What are your future educational and career goals? (750 words or less)

Apply for MVMF scholarships here

If you have any questions, please contact the MVMF at info@mvmfcares.org or 651-645-7533.

Available Scholarships

*New in 2025

- THE SPRAU/WINSOR MBA SCHOLARSHIP - $10,000

Awarded to a DVM student or practicing veterinarian aiming to pursue an MBA. With the corporate landscape in veterinary medicine expanding, acquiring an MBA alongside a DVM degree positions veterinarians for higher management roles within these organizations. Moreover, an MBA equips DVMs with a broader understanding of clinic ownership beyond veterinary care. Thus, the Scholarship aims to incentivize veterinary students who wish to obtain their MBA, as well as recent graduates and practicing veterinarians who are licensed and have at least one year of in Minnesota aspiring to pursue an MBA.

• Preference given to a Minnesota high school graduate.
• Must provide proof of enrollment prior to the scholarship funds being distributed

- AEVS LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a second, third, or fourth-year veterinary student in good scholastic standing at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and is involved in Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA). Applicants should have demonstrated leadership skills based on club/activity involvement, community outreach, and/or entrepreneurial initiatives.

- DR. DICK REIERSON VETERINARY DENTAL SCHOLARSHIP - $12,000 (5 available)

Awarded to a second, third, or fourth-year veterinary student interested in veterinary dentistry with financial need and good scholastic standing. The applicant must also submit a short essay of 200 words or less that describes their interest in veterinary dentistry.

- MVMF CARES SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a first-year student in good scholastic standing that has demonstrated current and past volunteerism and community involvement.

- MVMF PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

With increasing need to attract and train veterinarians in the field of public health and epidemiology, the MVMF awards a $6,000 scholarship for a student with an interest in veterinary public health. This annual scholarship is to provide a stipend for additional training or to offset additional tuition costs incurred while participating in the joint DVM/MPH program. Scholarship funds could also be used to reimburse travel and lodging expenses for a DVM student who will participate in a public health-related externship, such as at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The following criteria should be met for this scholarship:

1. A College of Veterinary Medicine student who has demonstrated an interest and commitment to veterinary public health, either through research, service, or externship training.
2. Ideally, the student will be concurrently enrolled in the DVM/MPH program.
3. Eligible students may be a second, third, or fourth-year student.
4. The student has achieved high academic standing.
5. The student has financial need.

- MVMF MARGARET POMEROY SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a second-year veterinary medical student with both financial need and good scholastic standing, with preference given to a Minnesota high school graduate.

- MVMA VBMA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a second or third-year VBMA student. Preference given to a student who has been active in the VBMA, with strong academic credentials, and is committed to acquiring strong business skills with a goal to pursue a successful career in veterinary practice. Awarded by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

- ARROWHEAD VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a second, third, or fourth-year student based on financial need and in good scholastic standing, with preference given to a student from the outstate Arrowhead region of Minnesota or Wisconsin.

- MVMF SPANNAUS SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a third-year veterinary medicine student with financial need and good scholastic standing, with preference given to a Minnesota high school graduate. The scholarship should be used for tuition, books, and fees.

- AERC SCHOLARSHIP - $5,000

Awarded to a fourth-year veterinary student interested in private practice ownership. The applicant must also submit a short essay (maximum 200 words) with the application package that covers the following: "Why do you support private practice ownership? Describe your proposed personal path to achieve practice ownership."

- MVMF COMPANION ANIMAL SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a fourth-year veterinary student with a companion animal objective, good scholastic standing, & financial need.

- MVMF FOOD ANIMAL SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a fourth-year veterinary student with a food animal objective, good scholastic standing, & financial need with the intention of practicing in Minnesota.

- MVMA AWARD – LEADERSHIP AWARD - $6,000

Awarded to a fourth-year veterinary student based on leadership. Awarded by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

- MVMF VHA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a fourth-year veterinary student with a companion animal objective and good scholastic standing. The applicant must also submit a short essay (maximum 200 words) with the application package that answers the question: "How does Veterinary Hospitals Association (VHA) benefit its members?" This is an annual scholarship in memory of deceased VHA members.

- ACADEMY POMEROY DVM/PHD SCHOLARSHIP - $2,500

Awarded to a student in the combined U of M DVM/PhD program, preferable when the PhD is started and the DVM is completed.

- MVMF JAMES O. HANSON CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a post-graduate student.

1. A veterinarian who has left practice to return to the College of Veterinary Medicine or comparable residency program as an intern or resident to continue their education and expand their knowledge.
2. If not #1, the award will be presented to a CVM intern who is staying at the U of M to continue their education through a residency program at the CVM.
3. If not #2, the award will be divided between two residents.

In all cases, the award should be presented, if possible, to a person who meets the following criteria: a) Minnesota practitioner; b) University of Minnesota CVM graduate; and c) MVMA member or student MVMA member.

- KERN AND JEAN SCHWARTZ FOOD PRODUCTION SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a 3rd or 4th year University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine student pursuing a food production animal career.

- MVMF PAST PRESIDENTS SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a third or fourth-year DVM student at the University of Minnesota who demonstrates academic and community leadership and is actively involved in organized veterinary medicine at both state and national levels.

- DR. ANDREW AND CAROL MILLS VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP - $6,000

Awarded to a third or fourth-year veterinary student, post graduate student, or practicing veterinarian who wishes to complete a residency or internship to continue their education in Veterinary Dermatology.

Applicants must submit a 200 word or less essay describing their interest in veterinary dermatology and what inspires them to pursue further education and training.

- MVMF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) SCHOLARSHIP- $6000

Awarded to a first, second, third, or fourth-year veterinary student. The purpose of the MVMF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion scholarship is to support a diverse student body more reflective of the population of Minnesota. This can include a demonstrated commitment to historically underserved communities.

Qualities that make an applicant stand out in terms of diversity, work ethic, overcoming adversity, and other intangible qualities. Examples that could be considered:

• 1st generation college student – (Bachelor’s degree)
• Underrepresented population - (Indigenous or person of color as these are underrepresented in veterinary medicine.
• Gender/orientation (LBGTQIA+ underrepresented in Vet Med)
• Disability (identified by a medical professional)
• Economically disadvantaged (will need to define more specifically)
• Demonstrated work in and cultural understanding that has enhanced diversity.

If you are interested in applying for the MVMF DEI Scholarship, please include information in your PERSONAL STATEMENT that helps us understand why you are uniquely qualified as an underrepresented segment of veterinary medicine.