Opening Your Eyes Scholarship

Opening Your Eyes Scholarship

Overview: The Vision Council Foundation provides scholarships to students pursuing an associate degree in ophthalmic dispensing at accredited opticianry schools.

Funder: The Vision Council Foundation

Geographic Scope: United States (16 participating schools across multiple states)

Focus Areas: Education and career training in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing

Award Details:

Base Award: $6,000 per year

Additional Support: Reimbursement of certification and state exam fees

Post-Graduation Benefits:

- Free registration at Vision Expo East and West
- Discounted continuing education at Vision Expo
- Complimentary membership to industry opticianry organizations

Renewability: Scholarships are renewable each year upon successful completion of all course work

Program History: Established in 2021; has impacted more than 35 students as of 2026

Eligible Institutions (16 Participating UOA Member Schools):

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (MA)

Broward College (FL)

Camden County College (NJ)

College of Southern Nevada (NV)

Durham Technical Community College (NC)

Erie Community College (NY)

Essex County College (NJ)

Georgia Piedmont Community College (GA)

Hillsborough Community College (FL)

Miami Dade College (FL)

CT State Community College – Middlesex (CT)

New York City College of Technology (NY)

Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)

Reynolds Community College (VA)

Roane State Community College (TN)

Southwestern Community College (NC)

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be interested in pursuing an associate degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing

Must be enrolled at a participating UOA member institution

Contact: Abigail Crosby, Partnerships and Business Development Manager at acrosby@thevisioncouncil.org