CEI Foundation Eye Care Scholarship

The Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation (CEIF) offers scholarships to support eligible, non-certified ophthalmology technicians in achieving JCAHPO (Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology) certification.

Geographic Scope: Cincinnati, OH area

Focus Areas:

• Ophthalmology technician certification
• Eye care professional development
• Community eye care quality improvement

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a non-certified ophthalmology technician
• Must have successfully completed the AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Independent Study Course (certifications expire 3 years after original pass date)
• Must be determined eligible to sit for the certification exam (1,000+ hours/6 months worked under an ophthalmologist)
• Must have the endorsement of immediate supervisor/manager
• Must have signed endorsement of appropriate physician attesting to applicant's readiness to sit for the exam
• Only eligible to receive this scholarship once per person

What is Funded:

• CEIF covers $150 toward the practice exam
• Cincinnati Eye Institute covers the remaining $150 (total $300 practice exam cost)
• Applicant receives JCAHPO Certification Guidebook

About JCAHPO:
More than 29,000 people in the United States, Canada, and around the world have earned JCAHPO certification. JCAHPO sets standards for Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP) knowledge and skills and provides official confirmation of certificants' qualifications.

Organization Background:
As a charitable foundation, CEIF offers free services designed to preserve and maintain a lifetime of good vision.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 513-207-6140 (Main) | 1-866-466-2343 (Appointments)
• Email: AJones@CEIFoundation.org
• Address: 1945 CEI Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242

Application Process

Step-by-Step:

1. Verify you meet all eligibility requirements
2. Download the CEIF Eye Care Scholarship Application
3. Obtain endorsement from your immediate supervisor/manager
4. Obtain signed endorsement from the appropriate physician attesting to your readiness to sit for the exam
5. Submit the completed application to CEIF
6. If granted the scholarship, you will receive a JCAHPO Certification Guidebook
7. Complete pages 41-43 of the Certification Guidebook
8. Submit the filled pages to CEIF
9. CEIF will cut a check of $150 to pay for the practice exam (Cincinnati Eye Institute covers the remaining $150)
10. CEIF submits your filled pages with the payment to JCAHPO
11. You will receive a letter from JCAHPO stating whether you will continue to take the certification test

Required Materials:

• Completed application form
• Proof of completion of AAO Independent Study Course
• Documentation of 1,000+ hours/6 months worked under an ophthalmologist
• Signed endorsement from immediate supervisor/manager
• Signed endorsement from appropriate physician
• Completed pages 41-43 of JCAHPO Certification Guidebook (if selected)

Available Documents:

• Application form (available for download)
• JCAHPO Certification Guidebook (available for download)