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The Best Online Vet Tech Schools Accepting Financial Aid in 2023
With more and more schools offering vet tech programs online, finding the right program for you can take time and research. Students must first decide whether they want to complete a diploma, certificate, or degree, as this will impact future career options credential type can also have a significant impact on salaries. Prospective students must additionally consider program subject matter, accreditation, and whether or not the program qualifies them to take the credentialing exam.
Finally – and perhaps most importantly – students need to review financial aid support opportunities. Schools going above and beyond to help learners fund their educations often provide a breakdown of funding options, including scholarships, as well as access to a knowledgeable financial aid staff who can guide them through the funding process. Keep reading to learn about those online vet tech schools that offer top-notch financial aid support to their students.
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College in Florida offers an Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology degree program featuring an option that combines fully online coursework with clinical practicums taken in-person at veterinary facilities in the student local area. Each student in the program is required to obtain an agreement with a local vet facility in which they will complete 280 hours each semester of clinical practice under the supervision of a credentialed technician or veterinarian. The program’s curriculum covers important topics in the field, including animal anatomy, veterinary office procedures, animal anesthesia, avian and exotic pet medicine, and large animal diseases. Admission into the program requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of a minimum of 15 credits of general education and support coursework (including courses in composition, math, and the natural sciences), and at least 40 hours of veterinary hospital observation in a vet practice. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Scholarships are available to qualifying vet tech students through the SPC Foundation. SPC’s vet tech programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Cedar Valley College
Dallas College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology program on its Cedar Valley Campus (formerly Cedar Valley College) featuring both on-campus and online courses. The 60-credit program includes both general education and major-specific coursework and is designed to be completed in five semesters. Veterinary related subjects covered include veterinary pharmacology, equine clinical management, veterinary parasitology, anesthesia and surgical assistance, and large animal assisting techniques. The program is accredited by the AVMA and prepares graduates to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination. The program’s three-year VTNE pass rate is 72%.
Admissions requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent. Following admission, but prior to registration, students must either present Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment scores or meet any of several waiver or exemption conditions. Current per-credit tuition rates are $79 for Dallas County residents, $135 for out-of-county residents, and $200 for out-of-state and international residents. A wealth of financial aid resources, including a wide range of Dallas College Foundation and other scholarship opportunities are available to qualifying vet tech students.
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri’s Mizzou Online provides a veterinary biomedical technology program as a certificate to meet varied student needs. The certificate requires 15 credits and is estimated to cost $6,562.35, inclusive of tuition and fees. Learners may need to pay additionally for books and supplies. All courses are made available fully online to ensure no student needs to visit campus. They are also taught asynchronously so individuals who want to continue working can do so while enrolled. Applicants must hold either an associate’s degree or have taken prerequisite courses designated by UM before being cleared for enrollment.
Some of the topics covered in this program include veterinary medical terminology, animal sanitation and disease prevention, specialty careers for veterinary technicians, clinical veterinary neurology, and fundamentals of small animal emergency and critical care. The College of Veterinary Medicine receives full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. The department offers several academic scholarships to help offset costs and provides helpful financial aid tools such as a list of outside scholarships, a cost calculator, and access to financial aid officers who can provide tailored information to prospective learners.
Scholarships & Grants for Vet Tech Students
As the cost of higher education rises, many students look to scholarships as a necessary meant to finance their veterinary technician educations. Fortunately, there are tons of great scholarship programs available to vet tech students from professional organizations, foundations, regional groups, and colleges themselves. Award amounts vary, with some renewing each year and others presented as one-time awards. Below is list of scholarships that vet tech students can apply to that will get you started on your scholarship search. Be sure to note, though, that additional opportunities are available.
Other Ways to Fund Your Vet Tech Education
While scholarships are a great source for securing vital funding, students should remember that several other forms of financial aid exist to help pay for college. Below is a look at the most common of those financial aid forms.
Private student loans: Private student loans are often the final option considered by students who have considered all others. Students can apply for private loans through online lenders, credit unions, and banks. Our advice here is to seek out loans with the lowest fixed interest rates.
Installment payment plans: Rather than requiring a single full payment at the beginning of the program, some schools provide payment plans to spread out program costs. At Penn Foster College, for example, students can make installment payments of as little as $69 per month.
State-based financial aid: Some state governments and local organizations offer scholarships to individuals living and/or studying in that particular area. Our scholarship section highlights several state-based nonprofits, but learners should research options in their state to find out what’s available.
Federal financial aid: Federal financial aid options include loans, work-study programs, and grants. The following section takes a look at the various ways students can request funding from the federal government and what their repayment options will look like.
Can Vet Tech Students Qualify for Federal Financial Aid?
Students can take advantage of federal grants, work-study programs, and loans, but they must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA must be filled out annually to requalify for federal financial aid, with applications opening October 1 of each year. Funds are disbursed on a rolling basis, so learners should submit their applications as soon as possible. Many schools use the information provided on the FAFSA to award programmatic and institutional grants, so it is well worth it to complete the FAFSA even if you don’t intend to apply for federal help. Specific federal financial aid options include:
Stafford loans: These loans are available to undergraduate students. Lending amounts are determined by each school, but cannot exceed $5,500. Loan are subsidized, so students receiving loans can avoid interest accrual while in school.
PLUS loans: PLUS loans can be taken out by the parents of dependent undergraduate students. The maximum amount available is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received. The PLUS loan is not subsidized, meaning interest accrues while the student is enrolled.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: FSEOG grants are for students demonstrating exceptional financial need who attend a participating institution. Applicants receive between $100 and $4,000 annually based on need, application date, amount of other aid available, and available of funds at the school.
Federal Pell Grants: These awards, which do not have to be repaid, are for students demonstrating exceptional financial need who have not previously completed a degree. The current maximum grant amount is $7,395, although the amount varies depending on expected family contribution, cost, and status as a full- or part-time student.
To learn more about maximizing your possibilities for gaining financial support for your higher education, check out our in-depth guide to financial aid for medical support and healthcare students.
Additional Financial Aid Resources for Vet Tech Students
Check out the online resources linked below to get a fuller sense of the funding opportunities available to veterinary technician students.
Fastweb. Students looking for help finding vet tech scholarships, internships, and career advice can find all this and more at Fastweb.
Federal Student Aid: This U.S. Department of Education website provides detailed information on all federal funding options.
FinAid. This comprehensive website offers tips, advice, and resources on every topic related to financial aid.
How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Degree: Coursera provides helpful information for students already working at a vet clinic who want to seek funding from their employer.
Student Loan Hero: This one-stop-shop for all things loans provides concrete and helpful information.
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