Paying for Education

Education is an investment in yourself, but paying for college, continuing education (CE), and student loans can be daunting. Roughly 29% of NAVTA’s 2024 Demographic Survey respondents noted they carry student loan debt (with an average amount of $23 774).¹ With the majority of states now requiring graduation from an AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities–accredited veterinary technology program in order to become credentialed, the cost of education is a common source of stress for many veterinary nurses/technicians. Thankfully, employer-sponsored benefits and scholarships may be available during and after school to help relieve some, if not all, of the costs of gaining a college degree and maintaining credentials.

1. Tuition and Loans

Tuition reimbursement, tuition assistance, and loan repayment benefits are offered by some employers, who can provide employees educational assistance up to $5250 per year on a tax-free basis.² However, the amount that employers may provide may be above or below this amount. Stipulations may exist with specific employers, including minimum grade or credit hour requirements, restrictions on degrees you can earn, and requirements surrounding how long the recipient must be with the company before or after utilizing these benefits. If eligible, veterinary nurses/technicians should not overlook these offerings.^2,3 Just 16% of NAVTA’s 2024 Demographic Survey respondents said their employer offers student debt relief.¹

2. Scholarships

Veterinary organizations and associations, industry partners, product manufacturers, individuals, and others may offer scholarships. Some of these scholarships are only for veterinary nurse/technician students, but others are also available for graduates. Applications, essays, letters of recommendation, videos, and other submission criteria may need to be met, but many can cover a large portion of a veterinary nurse’s/technician’s education. Examples of some of the scholarships that may be available include the Zoetis Foundation/AVMF Veterinary Technician Student Scholarship, the NAVTA/Boehringer Ingelheim Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship, the Oxbow Animal Health Academic Scholarships, the AZVT Laurie Page-Peck Scholarship, the Paw Prosper Continuing Education Scholarship, and the Merck Animal Health/AVMF Veterinary Technician Student Scholarship.

3. Continuing Education

Maintaining credentials as a veterinary technician requires one to complete CE. These classes can be expensive, but there are plenty of options that won’t cost you anything, especially if your employer provides CE benefits. CE benefit coverages vary, but NAVTA’s 2022 Demographic Survey respondents reported that over 60% of their employers cover some sort of CE course registration and travel expenses.⁴ If this benefit is not available, consider registering early for conferences to get an early bird discount, ask sales reps or veterinary professional friends if they have any registration discount codes, or take advantage of free options. Many veterinary technician associations as well as veterinary corporations sponsor free CE events for their members, employees, or any veterinary professional interested in attending.