Scholarship program taking applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program.

The program, now in its third year, annually provides $2,500 scholarships to up to 300 second- and third-year veterinary students studying at AVMA-accredited schools. Pfizer funds the scholarships, and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation administers the program.

Dr. J. Michael McFarland, Pfizer Animal Health group director of veterinary medical services, said the program is one way the company shows its commitment to the future of the veterinary profession.

"We work to support students' dreams to become veterinarians in several ways, from education and hands-on training to research and the Pfizer Animal Health scholarship program, which allows us to help lessen the financial debt that our students face today," he said.

The scholarships are used as a way to promote food animal practice and diversity in the veterinary profession.

Applications will be initially reviewed by the Foundation with consideration to the above criteria. The final decisions will be made by the AVMF on the basis of the total amount of scholarship dollars available for disbursement and each college's enrollment.

The Pfizer scholarship application will be available Oct. 1. Applications may be downloaded at www.avmf.org and are due by Nov. 30.

The scholarship winners will be announced in March during the 2012 Student AVMA Educational Symposium at Purdue University.