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Online Vet Tech Programs that Accept Financial Aid

See which online programs offer financial aid to vet tech students, and learn about scholarships, grants, and how you can qualify for additional financial assistance.

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The Best Online Vet Tech Schools Accepting Financial Aid in 2024

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

SPC_RB

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

CVC-logo

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

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.

Adrianna Andreini Scholarship

Awarded by the American Quarter Horse Association, these $8,750 scholarships exist for AQHA members in at least their second year of college.

Alabama Veterinary Technician Association Scholarship

Full-time online vet tech students residing in Alabama who maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA and can submit an essay are eligible for this $1,000 award. Applications are due in October.

Alice Villalobus Student Essay Contest

The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics provides an award of up to $2,000 to vet tech students who write an essay about economic euthanasia. Applications are due in December.

Dr. Jack Walther Leadership Award

This $1,000 award exists for vet tech students who can attend the Western Vet Conference annual meeting. Winners also receive transportation, lodging, and a stipend to attend the conference. Applications are due October 31.

International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories

IAPCC offers a $1,000 scholarship to vet tech students who write an essay on the topic of compassionate aftercare.

John D. Spurling Scholarship

The AKC Humane Fund provides $2,000 scholarships to full-time vet tech students with an interest in working with dogs. The application deadline varies.

Kelly Stadler Animal Lovers Memorial Scholarship

Associate and bachelor’s level vet tech students enrolled at St. Petersburg College can apply for this $750 scholarship by submitting an essay on why they want to pursue these studies. Scholarship applications are due with institutional applications.

Laurie Page-Peck Scholarship

The Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians offers an award of $1,500 to vet tech students who want to work in zoos. Applicants must write a scientific paper than can be presented at the group’s annual conference and submit it by March 1.

Maine Veterinary Education Foundation Scholarship

The Maine Veterinary Medical Association offers awards of varied amounts to students in their second year of vet tech studies. Students must complete an online application by October 31.

National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America Scholarship

NAVTA provides $1,000 scholarships to member students enrolled full-time in an accredited veterinary tech program. Application deadlines vary.

Oxbow Animal Health Scholarship

This $500 award exists for vet techs enrolled on a full-time basis who can write a 500-word essay on why they want to work with exotic animals. Applications are due March 2.

Pre-Veterinary and General Animal Husbandry Education Scholarships

Golden Meadows provides $1,000 scholarships to students attending accredited programs who can write a 1,000-word essay on one of the advertised topics. Applications are due December 31.

Pride Veterinary Medicine Community Scholarship

PVMC offers $500 scholarships to vet tech students who either identify as LGBTQ or as an ally. Students must supply a personal biography and a report on how they plan to use the funds. Applications are due December 1.

University of Missouri Scholarship

The online veterinary biomedical technology provides awards of varied amounts to students who graduated in the top 10% of their class and achieved an ACT score of 27 or higher. Students are automatically considered when they submit their application.

Veterinary Technician Scholarship

Students with a GPA of 2.75 who are enrolled full-time and can write an essay on the most important characteristics of being a vet tech can apply for this award if they attend Truckee Meadows Community College. Applications are due September 7.

Vet Partners Scholarship

Part- and full-time vet tech students enrolled at Harcum College can apply for this award if they are about to begin practicum requirements, maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA, and are employed by a partner veterinary practice. Applications are due September 17.

Vet Tech Scholarship

The New Hampshire Veterinary Technician Association provides $1,000 scholarships to full-time vet tech students who are permanent residents of New Hampshire. Applications are due December 31.

Walkin’ Pets Scholarship

This $1,000 award is given to vet techs committed to working with aging, injured, or disabled pets. Applications are due July 31.

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: 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

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

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: 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.