Scholarship Award in Vision and Medicine (SAVM)

The Scholarship Award in Vision and Medicine (SAVM) for high school students is targeted to talented, ambitious, and self-motivated graduating high school seniors who are economically disadvantaged or who are members of an underrepresented minority group (defined as black/African-American, American Indian, Mexican American, mainland Puerto Rican).

A total of 7 scholarships will be awarded. Award amounts range from $2,500 to $5,000. Additionally, the high schools that nominated the recipients of the SAVM scholarships will receive $500 for use in their science departments.

The SAVM scholarships may be used to supplement benefits from any 4-year accredited U.S. college or university a student plans to attend. Students may use the scholarship to cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, room and board, computers, health insurance, general living expenses and other college-related expenses.

The Scholarship Award in Vision and Medicine (SAVM) is committed to offering scholarships to African American and other underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged high school students as a means of fostering knowledge that encourages the students to seek careers in medicine and visual sciences.

Mission

To encourage talented economically disadvantaged high school students and talented underrepresented minority (black/African American, American Indian, Mexican American, mainland Puerto Rican) high school students to seek careers in visual sciences and medicine.

To increase the awareness of the need for physicians and scientists from underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged groups.

To increase the awareness of high school educators (principals, counselors, and teachers) of the critical need for African American and other underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals in visual sciences and medicine.*

*Cooper RA. Impact of trends in primary, secondary, and postsecondary education on applications to medical school: II. Considerations of race, ethnicity, and income. Academic Medicine 2003;78(9):864-876.