SREB Optometry Loan/Scholarship (SREB)

Award Amount
Application deadline
Awarded By:

Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid will make awards on a first-come first-served based upon its level of funding. However, priority is given to renewal applicants who complete the renewal process by the deadlines.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. This award is for U.S. students.
  2. Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  3. Must be admitted to an approved school of optometry.
  4. Must be a current legal resident of Mississippi.
  5. Must be enrolled full time.
  6. Must attend an approved out-of-state optometry school. The following schools are eligible: Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN; University of Alabama College of Optometry in Birmingham, AL; University of Houston College of Optometry in Houston, TX.
  7. Must agree to practice optometry full time in Mississippi upon completion of degree for loan forgiveness.

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: This forgivable loan is available to Mississippi students who plan to attend an approved out-of-state school of optometry. Students must practice optometry in Mississippi full time after graduation for forgiveness of the loan.

Application requirements for the SREB Optometry Loan/Scholarship (SREB) are:

  • Application form
  • Tax return
  • ID
  • Accept. letter
Additional Information: The primary objectives of this program are to provide education opportunities to students who wish to become an optometrist and address Mississippi's health care shortage by providing a constant source of qualified optometrists. SREB awards will be made available, to the extent of appropriated funds, to eligible persons in exchange for employment in optometry in Mississippi. The loan to service obligation must be rendered within Mississippi for a period of not less than one year's service for one year of scholarship received. Service is defined as full-time employment in optometry. Eligible students must not presently be in default or previously defaulted on an educational loan.

Award Amount: The award amount is determined annually by the Southern Regional Education Board. Funds will be made available to eligible participants for up to four years or for the normal time required to complete the curriculum. For purposes of this program, the normal time required will be determined by when the individual student began the curriculum. All recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress standards of the institution to continue to receive funds under the renewal process.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $1,000.

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Tuesday, March 31

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Tuesday, March 31

Applications are available online from the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (MOSFA) website. In addition to a completed online application, each student must submit the following supporting documents: a signed copy of the first two pages of his/her state tax return for the current year; a copy of his/her Mississippi driver's license (may be submitted electronically during the online application); and official letter of acceptance from an approved school of optometry, showing date admitted and entering classification. The online application must be submitted by March 31. Supporting documents must be submitted by April 30, with the exception of the letter of acceptance, which may be submitted by June 30. Please note: The dates are important as the number of awards and recipients are dependent upon available funds.
About Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid:
Contact Information: Peggy Sledge, Director of Financial Aid
Address: 3825 Ridgewood Road Jackson, Mississippi 39211

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