Application Process
Complete the Optometric Education Scholarship Program and the FAFSA every year.
Learn moreProgram Details
The Optometric Education Scholarship Program provides scholarship assistance to encourage students to pursue a graduate degree in optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry.
NOTICE: 2026-27 Alternative Application
As of July 24, 2026, a federal district court ruled that undocumented students are no longer eligible to receive state financial assistance from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the 2026-2027 school year. As a result, the 2026-27 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, the application certain undocumented students would have used to apply for state financial aid programs this academic year, is no longer available. This means that students who have submitted or planned to submit the 2026-27 Alternative Application, such as Illinois undocumented students, cannot be considered for this program for the 2026-27 school year.
The eligibility criteria for the 2027–28 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid will be changing. This application is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2026. Please visit isac.org/AlternativeApp for more information.
For Students & Parents
If you receive assistance from the Optometric Education Scholarship Program, you must work as a licensed optometrist in Illinois for at least one year for each year you receive the scholarship. You must start working as an optometrist within one year of completing your program. If you do not fulfil the work requirement, the scholarship will turn into a loan, and you must repay the funds.
Applicants should carefully consider their ability to work in the required field before applying or accepting an award. Award recipients who are unable to work in the required field after graduation may not be able to complete the work commitment and would be required to repay their scholarship.
Fill out the FAFSA (if eligible) prior to submitting a program application.
- The Financial Aid Office at the Illinois College of Optometry will provide you with a copy of the Optometric Education Scholarship Program Application, which includes a Practice Agreement/Promissory Note. Complete this application and return it to the financial aid office by March 1 for priority consideration each year you wish to be considered for an award. The Illinois College of Optometry sends completed applications to ISAC by this date. If your application is not sent by the Illinois College of Optometry, you can send your completed application to ISAC’s Deerfield office by March 1 for priority consideration.
- After you submit your application, you will immediately receive a Submission Notice confirming that ISAC has received it. If you submitted an application prior to the priority deadline and have not yet been notified of your status, you will receive an Application Update Notice within 30 days after the priority submission deadline. Please read this notice carefully, as it will provide you with more information on any next steps in the process.
Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by March 1 immediately before the academic year that they want to receive the scholarship.
ISAC awards up to 10 scholarships each year depending on the available funds, and are divided among students as follows:
- First year students: 2 scholarships
- Second year students: 2 scholarships
- Third year students: 2 scholarships
- Fourth year students: 2 scholarships
- Any academic year: 2 scholarships
Scholarships will only apply to tuition and mandatory fees for two semesters or three quarters. Award amounts will be the lesser of $5,000 or tuition and mandatory fees. You may receive the equivalent of eight semesters or 12 quarters of scholarship funds under this program in total if you apply for more than one year.
If more students apply than there are scholarships available, not all eligible students will receive an award. ISAC will award renewal students first. Remaining scholarships will then be given based on academic GPA and financial need.
ISAC pays the scholarship funds directly to the Illinois College of Optometry.
For Partners & Professionals
The 2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) appropriation is $50,000.
Optometric Education Scholarship Program: Part 2741 - Administrative Rules
Please review the eligibility, work commitment, how to apply, dates and timelines, and award amounts sections for additional program information.
2026-27
March 1, 2026 was the priority application consideration date for the 2026-27 academic year. ISAC is currently processing applications for this program.
The Illinois College of Optometry will not be required to complete the standard certification process needed for many other ISAC financial aid programs. Enrollment will be verified during the payment process. By submitting a payment request, the institution certifies that the recipients meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
All OESP awards are paid directly to the College. The Illinois College of Optometry must submit payment requests to ISAC on behalf of the recipients. Funds are issued by the Illinois Comptroller’s Office on behalf of ISAC and the scholarship recipients.
The Illinois College of Optometry must verify the enrollment status in the fall of each academic year for each recipient for the term(s) the award funds. The College may credit the scholarship funds to the recipient’s account for expenses that are due and disburse any remaining funds to the student.