THE 2026 VETERINARY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WINDOW IS CLOSED.
Congratulations to the 2026 Scholarship Winners!
Thank you to all the applicants who have applied. Click here to see the 2026 winners.
THE 2027 VETERINARY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WINDOW WILL OPEN JULY 29, 2026 at 12pm PT.
If you would like to be informed when the 2027 scholarship application window opens, you may sign up for updates.
2027 Scholarship - ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Mike Dunn, DVM Veterinary Student Scholarship created by Becky Godchaux, annually awards two first-year students entering a United States veterinary school up to $35,000 each per year for a total of up to $140,000 each for four years.
A Scholarship Born from Gratitude
"I am still in shock with Becky's level of generosity. It is so nice to know that we, as veterinarians, make such an impact on people's lives."
2027 Scholarship Rules & Eligibility
Who Can Apply
Eligibility for the 2027 scholarship is limited to students entering their first year of veterinary school in Fall 2027.
Companion animal focus required: Scholarship is restricted to students committed to practicing companion animal veterinary medicine.
Award amount: Up to $35,000 per year per recipient, for a maximum of $140,000 over the duration of veterinary school (up to four years). Funds are paid directly to the awardee’s school for tuition and fees only.
Application cap: Only the first 300 applications submitted will be accepted for consideration.
No AI tools: AI tools are not permitted for application questions or personal statements. If the Scholarship Committee suspects an applicant has utilized AI as part of the application it will be immediately removed from consideration.
Letter of recommendation required: One letter of recommendation is required per applicant. The recommender’s contact information must be included at the time of initial application submission. Letters must be submitted by the stated deadline. Applicants are responsible for ensuring timely submission.
Video interview for finalists: If an applicant is a top ranked finalist, a video interview is required along with proof of acceptance and commitment to a qualifying veterinary school based on the scholarship rules. Note: not all applicants will be invited to a video interview.
Awardee requirements. Recipients must: (1) participate in VIN Foundation mentoring programs including mental health and financial wellness support; (2) provide ongoing proof of enrollment; (3) support scholarship outreach and evaluation activities. Additional requirement information provided upon scholarship award.
2027 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
HOW TO APPLY
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Review the application questions and prepare answers
Use the Scholarship Application Worksheet to review the application questions and prepare your answers prior to starting your 2027 Mike Dunn, DVM Veterinary Student Scholarship Application. For the school tuition and fees portion, it is recommended you utilize the VIN Foundation Apply Smarter Tool to find your eligible school options.
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Write your personal statement (750 words)
Include a personal statement of up to 750 words explaining why you are the best candidate for this scholarship. Your statement should:
Tell us who you are — not just how accomplished you are.
Highlight the personality traits, goals, and financial needs that make you a compelling applicant.
Be unique — not a resubmission of your veterinary school application essay.
Be written in English and pasted directly into the submission field.
Optionally omit your name to reduce unconscious bias in judging — though personal background and identity are welcome if they are central to your story. -
Record a personal video
Record a video sharing why you are the most deserving candidate for this scholarship. Video must be less than 1 minute in length.
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Upload your CV/Resume
Your CV/resume must be in Word or PDF file format. Please note, cover letters will not be accepted.
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Arrange a letter of recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required. Provide your recommender's first name, last name, and email address in the initial application. Once submitted, your recommender will automatically receive a personalized link to submit their letter. Only one letter per applicant is accepted. Applicants are responsible for ensuring the letter is submitted by the deadline.
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Submit application by the deadline Deadline: Oct 1, 2026
Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2026 at 11:59pm PT, or when 300 submissions have been accepted — whichever comes first. Letters of recommendation are due by October 15, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.
Application window opens July 29, 2026 at 12pm PT.
You are strongly encouraged to use the Scholarship Application Worksheet to draft and refine your answers before pasting them into the application fields.
2027 SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS AT A GLANCE
SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE
As applicants move through the application process they will receive monthly email communications starting October 2026.
| Stage | Date | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Application Opens | July 29, 2026 | Application window opens; 300 applicant limit in effect |
| Application Deadline | October 1, 2026 | Application window closes at 11:59pm PT, or when 300 submissions reached |
| Letters of Recommendation | October 15, 2026 | Letters of recommendation due at 11:59pm PT |
| Committee Review | Oct 2026 – March 2027 | Scholarship committee reviews applications; monthly communications to applicants |
| Status Notification | March 15, 2027 | All applicants notified of status; finalists receive next steps |
| School Documentation | April 30, 2027 | Advancing applicants must submit proof of acceptance to eligible school |
| Video Interviews | May 15, 2027 | Top-ranked finalists invited for video interview; additional invitations as needed |
| Awardees Selected | July 1, 2027 | Two awardees and two alternates selected and notified; all remaining applicants informed |
QUESTIONS:
If you have questions which cannot be answered by reading the information provided on the website, please email [email protected].
2027 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SCHOLARSHIP FAQS
Per the 2027 scholarship rules, eligibility for the 2027 scholarship is limited to students entering their first year of veterinary school in Fall 2027. There will be no exceptions made for students entering Fall of 2026. However, we do want to know how you could have learned about the scholarship earlier, please email us at [email protected] with feedback.
International students are eligible to apply for the 2027 scholarship if they are applying to attend veterinary school in the United States and meet all the rules and eligibility requirements.
Click the Scholarship Application Worksheet link and choose “make a copy” and save. You may use the Scholarship Application Worksheet to review the application questions and prepare your answers prior to starting your 2027 Mike Dunn, DVM Veterinary Student Scholarship application form. For the school tuition and fees portion, it is recommended you utilize the VIN Foundation Apply Smarter Tool to find your eligible school options.
Your total cost estimate for the scholarship application should only include tuition and fees, NOT health insurance, living or travel or other incidental expenses you will incur during school. It is recommended you utilize the VIN Foundation Apply Smarter Tool to determine your eligible schools for the 2027 scholarship.
For the purpose of this scholarship, companion animals are defined as personal pets and can be cared for in a mixed animal practice setting. Examples include but are not limited to: dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards, birds, guinea pigs, etc.
Per the application requirements, cover letters will not be accepted.
Record a video of yourself describing why you think you are the most deserving candidate for this scholarship. The video must be less than 1 minute in length and the format must be either .MOV or .MP4.
Your letter of recommendation should preferably be written by someone who has first hand knowledge of your animal/veterinary experience. If you do not have animal/veterinary experience, you may have a professor, mentor, or someone who has positively impacted your life write the letter. Per the rules, only one letter of recommendation per student will be accepted.
If you do not receive an email confirmation upon submitting your scholarship application, do not resubmit. Make sure to check your email spam folder. Wait 15 minutes from application submission, and if you still do not see an email conversation in any of your inboxes, please email [email protected] for assistance.