Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Foundation

Overview

The Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship is administered by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) to support veterinary students through an ongoing endowment. The scholarship recognizes the long-standing partnership between the AVMF and the Auxiliary to the AVMA, a volunteer organization of veterinarians, associates, family, and friends of the profession. Annual endowment proceeds fund multiple awards each year at participating veterinary schools. These awards are intended to reduce financial barriers and promote student leadership within the profession.

Description: An endowed scholarship program providing recurring support to veterinary students at a range of accredited institutions, focused on financial need and leadership involvement.

• Endowment-funded, recurring scholarship program
• Supports students at multiple international institutions
• Focuses on financial need and leadership

Award Details

The scholarship awards are $1,000 per recipient and are distributed annually to qualifying students at participating institutions. Recipients are selected at each AVMA-accredited veterinary college in the United States and selected international partner schools. Funding comes from the Auxiliary’s endowment gift to the AVMF, ensuring continued support over time. The program seeks to provide meaningful, targeted assistance to students during their clinical years.

Award Value: $1,000 per recipient, funded from endowment proceeds and awarded annually at participating schools.

• $1,000 award per recipient
• Awards distributed annually from endowment proceeds
• Available at multiple domestic and international veterinary schools

Eligibility

Eligibility emphasizes both academic standing and demonstrated involvement in leadership activities, along with financial need. The scholarship is intended for students in the middle clinical years of veterinary training who can show engagement in university and community activities. Selection balances academic criteria with leadership and documented financial need. Applicants must meet the listed institutional and citizenship requirements to be considered.

Eligibility:

• 2nd- or 3rd-year veterinary student in good standing at an AVMA-accredited school
• Citizen of the United States
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Active involvement in university-affiliated organizations, including leadership roles
• Leadership and participation in non-university activities
• Demonstrated financial need

• Requires balance of academic standing and demonstrated leadership
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Minimum GPA threshold is 2.5

Application Timeline

The application process follows an annual schedule tied to the academic calendar. Applications are accepted during a defined window in September, reviewed in October, and award notifications and disbursements occur during the fall semester. Candidates should prepare materials in advance to meet the early-fall deadlines. Schools typically coordinate internal selection and submission processes to meet the AVMF timeline.

Application Timeline:

• Applications accepted: September 1 – end of September
• Application review period: October 7 – October 25
• Award notification and funds disbursement: Fall semester

• Annual application cycle occurs each fall
• Review and notification occur in October and the fall term
• Prepare documentation ahead of the September window

History of the Award

The scholarship traces its origins to a student loan fund established by the Auxiliary to the AVMA shortly after World War II to assist veterinary families affected by the war. In 2013, the Auxiliary transferred $2,000,000 to the AVMF to create the Legacy Endowed Scholarship, converting the loan fund concept into a permanent endowment. Annual proceeds from that gift now support scholarships across participating veterinary schools for many years to come. The award honors the Auxiliary’s historical commitment to student support and the veterinary profession.

History of the Award: Originated as a post–World War II student loan fund; converted to an endowment through a $2,000,000 transfer to AVMF in 2013.

• Started as a post–World War II student loan fund
• Converted to a permanent endowment with a $2,000,000 transfer in 2013
• Designed to provide long-term, sustainable scholarship funding