Student AVMA (SAVMA)

Benefits of SAVMA membership

Student AVMA (SAVMA) membership is open to any full-time student enrolled in a program of study leading directly to a professional veterinary degree, granted by a school or college of veterinary medicine. Join SAVMA today to start taking advantage of your membership benefits!

FAQs for international students

International SAVMA chapter members qualify for many benefits.

Learn more

All SAVMA members are eligible for the following benefits provided by AVMA and SAVMA:

Journals access
  • SAVMA members receive free access to all issues of the Journal of the AVMA (JAVMA) , including article archives back to 2000. Visit avma.org/Journals.
  • Student members have free access to The Vet Gazette: the official online journal of the Student AVMA – published for veterinary students by veterinary students. It includes an array of topics, and veterinary student members are encouraged to submit articles and take advantage of the chance to earn a stipend for your effort. Find out more at thevetgazette.com
Event and Conference Registration
  • Free advance registration to the AVMA Annual Convention held in July/August while in school. For the latest up-to-date information and to register, visit the AVMA Convention website.
  • Invitation to the annual SAVMA Symposium hosted by a local student chapter. Only current SAVMA members are able to register! Network with vet students and veterinary professionals; gain invaluable hands-on skills during wet labs; take a day trip showcasing local hot spots; and attend lectures and the exhibit hall to learn more about the exciting new technological advances in veterinary medicine.
  • Visit the SAVMA events and oportunities page for more information on all upcoming meetings.
Job Opportunities and Externship Locator
  • Access to My Veterinary Life a dedicated microsite for students and recent graduates. Navigate your transition from student to veterinarian, nurture your personal wellbeing, and establish strong financial habits. The AVMA is committed to being by your side for guidance, direction and support every step of the way, from your first-year through graduation and all the milestones as you establish your veterinary career. Browse the collection of resources at myveterinarylife.com.
  • Access to the AVMA Veterinary Career Center, which provides job listings that match your resume and allows interested employers to search your posted resume. Find available post-graduate programs, externships, and preceptorships in your field of interest. Post your resume, browse job listings, set up email notifications to learn about new jobs that meet your criteria, and more. For more information visit avma.org/VCC.
Your Financial Health
  • Student resources for helping manage your debt and financing your vet medical education can be found on the Student financial resources page.
  • Take time to learn financial skills during your veterinary school training - because the financial decisions you make today will affect your financial health and life satisfaction in the future. Learn more about student loans, money management, financial planning resources and more at myveterinarylife.com.
  • AVMA is committed to helping veterinarians thrive in rewarding and financial sustainable careers - and that includes finding solutions to reduce veterinary debt, as well as maximize income. For more information, visit avma.org/VDI
Full access to the member-only areas of the AVMA website and SAVMA website
SAVMA Awards and Scholarships
  • Apply for numerous monetary awards offered by SAVMA Committees, for work done related to their respective committee tasks. Only current members may view and apply on the SAVMA awards and scholarships opportunities page.

Exclusively for SAVMA chapter members!

Automatic conversion to AVMA membership

SAVMA chapter and student associate organization members who meet their SAVMA chapter/student associate organization requirements to be a member in good standing and have paid membership dues for all years they are in veterinary school at the time of graduation will be granted automatic conversion to AVMA membership upon graduation.

  • This means no application to file and no dues to pay for the remainder of the year of graduation
  • Two additional years of reduced recent graduate AVMA membership dues to help lessen the financial burden of membership fees while searching for your veterinary career
  • One free registration credit to AVMA Convention to be used within 5 years following graduation (over $500 value)
  • Access to a range of resources for recent graduates, including the AVMA's personal financial planning tool, at avma.org/RecentGrad.

For further information on any of these topics, please contact dhallatavma [dot] org (Dr. Derrick Hall), associate director of student initiatives at AVMA, at 800-248-2862, ext. 6681.

American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) student benefits

The AVMF is the charitable arm of the AVMA and is one of the largest providers of veterinary student scholarships.

The AVMF offers numerous scholarships and grant opportunities for current veterinary students! View the AVMF website for more details.

Volunteer opportunities include AVMF's Our Oath in Action events in your community and leadership opportunities for students interested in serving on one of AVMF's committees. For more information, please complete the volunteer survey at avmf.org.

Student insurance benefits

You've dreamed of becoming a veterinarian your whole life. Don't allow an injury or illness derail that dream. Eligible SAVMA members have access to exclusive coverage through AVMA PLIT and AVMA LIFE to protect your future. Visit the AVMA Trust's student insurance webpage to learn more.

AVMA PLIT

For information, call 800-228-7548.

  • Complimentary veterinary student professional liabililty1,2—Did you know that even as a student you can be accused of veterinary malpractice and threatened with a lawsuit? Register for no-cost coverage, compliments of AVMA PLIT, so you're protected whenever you're in a clinical environment (e.g., externships, preceptorships, and part-time or volunteer work).
  • Auto, home, and renter's insurance—Let the AVMA Trust compare rates to find the best coverage for your home and vehicle.
AVMA LIFE

For information, call 800-621-6360.

  • Complimentary student life insurance2,3,4—As an eligible SAVMA member, you receive $25,000 of no-cost life insurance, compliments of the AVMA LIFE Trust. Register to designate a beneficiary and request a certificate of insurance. Students in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin must register to receive this complimentary coverage.
  • AVMA VetSTEPP™: The Veterinary Student Essential Protection Package3,4—Secure essential student coverage starting at $25 per month with a package that includes a rabies prophylaxis benefit, disability insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. Choose from three packages—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—to fit any budget. Add an optional student loan lump-sum benefit to help pay off outstanding student loans if you are permanently disabled and unable to complete your education from a covered disability. Your acceptance is guaranteed during open enrollment.5
  • Dental/Vision insurance—AVMA LIFE has partnered with Delta Dental of Illinois to bring you competitive rates on dental and vision insurance, no matter where you live in the United States.
  • Hospital indemnity insurance3,4—Receive a cash benefit of up to $400 per day for you and your dependents for covered hospital stays. Your acceptance for hospital indemnity insurance is guaranteed, with no medical questions or doctor visits required. You can use the daily benefit to help cover deductibles or co-insurance or to manage daily living expenses.
  • Member long-term disability insurance3,4—Third- and fourth-year students can apply for up to $3,500 of monthly long-term disability coverage with no doctor's visits or medical exams required. If you suffer a covered disability while attending school full time, you can receive benefits even if you aren't earning an income. And once you graduate and start receiving a paycheck, this coverage will help ensure you're financially protected if a covered disability keeps you from working.

1Coverage subject to policy terms, limitations, and exclusions. Coverage will be effective the day after your completed application is submitted. You will receive an email confirmation of your application and a certificate evidencing coverage. The limit is $1M/$3M in CA, GU, NH, and VI.

2The AVMA Trust will cover the premium costs for the complimentary coverages.

3To be eligible, you must be a SAVMA member in good standing; be between age 18 and 65; reside in, and be a legal resident of, the 50 United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico; and be a full-time veterinary student at an AVMA-accredited school within the U.S. “Good standing” means that a student's SAVMA membership dues have been paid and are up to date by November 1 of the academic year (or April 1 if a student is beginning school in a winter term). If membership dues are not up to date, no benefits would be payable. Coverage ends upon termination of SAVMA membership.

4Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, NY, NY 10010 on group policy form GMR. For more details on the coverages, including features, eligibility, renewability, limitations, and exclusions, please visit the AVMA Trust's student insurance webpage.

5For incoming, first-year students, Open Enrollment begins 60 days before the first day of class and ends 45 days after the first day. For returning students, Open Enrollment runs from the first day of class through day 45. As an exception, first-year veterinary students may enroll in AVMA VetSTEPP™ prior to joining SAVMA to take advantage of the rabies vaccination and/or titers, which may be required by your veterinary school in advance of arriving. Once you arrive on campus, you must join SAVMA for benefits to be paid. Proof of acceptance to attend veterinary school will be required with your VetSTEPP™ enrollment form.