A SUNY College of Optometry education is an investment in a rewarding healthcare career with strong long-term professional and financial opportunities. As a public institution, SUNY Optometry offers competitive tuition rates and a range of financial aid options to help make your education more affordable. Students may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of assistance, with more than $1 million awarded annually in student scholarships and financial support.
Our Financial Aid Office works closely with students to navigate the funding process and identify available resources. Whether you’re applying for federal aid, exploring scholarship opportunities, or planning your educational investment, you’ll have access to guidance and support throughout your time at SUNY Optometry.
Investing in your future shouldn’t stand in the way of achieving your goals. At SUNY Optometry, a wide range of grants and scholarships help make your education more affordable, with awards recognizing academic excellence, leadership, financial need, community service, clinical achievement, research interests, and commitment to the future of optometry. Scholarships do not need to be repaid, and many students are automatically considered based on their academic performance, while others offer opportunities to apply through essays or short applications.
SUNY College of Optometry offers part-time student employment with flexible hours scheduled around the academic program.
College Work Study
Students can earn $500 to $4,000 a year based on need while working at the College.
College Temporary Service Employment
Although not awarded as financial aid, students can be employed by an individual officer or faculty researcher using College funds.
Educational loans are generally lower interest alternatives to market rate loans. Many have federal or state subsidies and delay interest or principal repayments until after you complete your academic program. Stafford, Perkins and Health Professions Student Loan and Loans for Disadvantaged Students programs require you to qualify via the Need Analysis Process.
Health Professions Student LoansQualified students may be awarded $250 to $4,000 each at 5% interest. Your parents’ financial information is used to determine eligibility.
Loans for Disadvantaged Students
Qualified students may be awarded $250 to $3,000 each year at 5% interest. Your parents’ financial information is used to determine eligibility.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Up to $40,500 per year (minus the amount you qualified for in subsidized Stafford Loans) is available. The interest rate is fixed at 6.80%.
Emergency Loans
Emergency loans of $500 to $1,000 are available for students who experience delays in processing financial aid. These loans are limited to availability and are only for students who are awaiting financial aid.
