Earning a degree in a field like veterinary technology can change lives — both for veterinary technicians themselves, who can expect stable employment and high career growth, and for the animals they care for. But earning a degree is a significant financial investment, and one that can be inaccessible to working students.
That’s why Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning (VTDL) program created scholarship opportunities for online students. One such scholarship, the Dr. Bill Scholarship, supports working students in Purdue’s VTDL program by helping them cover the costs of laptops, textbooks and other expenses.
The Dr. Bill scholarship was started by Coco Schefmeyer, a former VTDL student, and her husband. The pair were inspired by Robert (Pete) Bill, an emeritus professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine who was an exceptional educator and program leader, Schefmeyer said.
“We need men and women of science in this world,” said Schefmeyer. “We hope this scholarship inspires students to dream big. Equally important, this scholarship pays tribute to Dr. Bill, a brilliant professor of veterinary medicine.”
According to Melissa Merritt, a VTDL student and Dr. Bill Scholarship recipient, getting extra financial assistance has made her program considerably more affordable, and it’s helping her accomplish her dream of moving up in the veterinary technology field.
“The scholarship has covered books and a new iPad, which makes it way easier to do online schoolwork,” Merritt said. “The iPad is essential because all of my courses are online, and I really needed a new one to complete my work.”
Merritt lives in Los Angeles, California and works as a veterinary assistant. Becoming a veterinary technician means a more competitive salary and better career options. Purdue’s program is preparing her to work as a vet tech, and the scholarship is giving her the resources she needs to succeed as a working student.
“A lot of online students are working, and they don’t necessarily have a lot of financial support,” Merritt said. “They are trying to do school and pay their bills, so any extra support helps.”
Merritt picked Purdue’s program because of the university’s reputation in veterinary education. Several of her friends who work in veterinary medicine recommended the online VTDL program. The structure and consistency of the program convinced her to enroll, she said.
“I love the structure and how intuitively everything is laid out,” Merritt said. “I was able to plan out my whole program from the beginning.”
In the future, Merritt wants to earn her veterinary technician certification and specialize in feline medicine. She’s confident that the Dr. Bill scholarship will give her the extra assistance she needs to finish strong.
“There are so many costs to attending school besides tuition, and this scholarship covers that,” Merritt said.
Jasmine Staver, another VTDL student and Dr. Bill Scholarship recipient, said she will be using her scholarship to help cover the cost of textbooks. As a working student, she spends a lot of time balancing schoolwork with her job as a veterinary assistant at an emergency veterinary hospital. Getting help with textbook costs — which can add up to hundreds of dollars a semester — will help stretch her salary further.
“There’s so much content you cover in vet tech school, and there’s a lot of textbooks,” Staver said. “This will be a big help.”
Staver, who earned an undergraduate degree at Purdue, was introduced to the veterinary field after graduation, when she got a job at her local animal shelter. She fell in love with veterinary medicine, but she needed specialized training to work as a technician. That’s what drew her to Purdue’s VTDL program.
“I have a few friends in Purdue’s vet tech program,” Staver said. “And I live in Carmel (Indiana), so not having to commute to campus every day is a big plus.”
After enrolling in the VTDL program, Staver’s career options opened up. She started working as an assistant at a veterinary hospital specializing in cardiology. Though she was unfamiliar with the field at first, she developed a passion for the technical expertise that cardiology requires, and she plans to continue working in cardiology after graduation.
Since she’s studying online, Staver can work and go to school at the same time. Her program is challenging and rigorous, but its format makes it possible to balance all her responsibilities — including being a devoted pet parent to her pets, Trixie, Cleo and Gunther.
“Online students want balance,” Staver said. “Scholarships give that buffer and ease financial stress. It’s like an added security blanket.”
According to Josh Clark, assistant director of Purdue’s VTDL program, balance is something all students deserve, whether they’re studying online or on campus. For online students who work and go to school, balance is particularly important. At a time when many students’ access to higher education is affected by rising costs and financial barriers, scholarships have the power to turn far-off dreams into hard-won realities. They give online students the extra push they need to juggle work, school and other obligations.
“Providing scholarship opportunities is one way we can help reduce some of those barriers so students can stay focused on their education,” Clark said. “Offering scholarships also reflects our belief that distance learners deserve access to the same level of support and encouragement as on‑campus students.”
The Dr. Bill Scholarship is open to all eligible students in Purdue’s VTDL program. To be eligible, students must have successfully completed the second semester of their program. Preference is given to candidates with work experience in shelters, rescues, and spay and neuter clinics, as well as students employed by Purdue University. Scholarship amounts vary depending on college resources.
