The Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program is a scholarship program for Nebraska students aimed at increasing the number of new veterinarians practicing in production animal practices in rural Nebraska. The program offers financial assistance to Nebraska students pursuing degrees in Animal Science or Veterinary Science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who have demonstrated a passion and commitment to the health and wellbeing of production animals.
The application period for the program is from March 1 through April 19, 2024.
Elite 11 Program details:
- Up to 25 first-time freshmen will receive the Nebraska Production Animal Health Scholarship, which covers 50% of their tuition for the first two years of their study in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- After the second year, up to 13 of the original 25 scholarship recipients will be awarded a continuation scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition for their third and fourth years of study in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- Scholarship recipients will participate in the Nebraska Aspiring Production Animal Veterinarians Program (NAPAV).
- Students completing the NAPAV Program apply to the UNL Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine (PPVM), 11 selected as the “Elite 11” and receive 100% of tuition and fees for the PPVM program.
- The Elite 11 are required to stay in Nebraska and practice as a production-animal veterinarian for 8 years or payback their school expenses.1
Selection Criteria:
To be eligible for the Nebraska Production Animal Health Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nebraska Residency: Applicants must be residents of Nebraska
- Aptitude for Production Animal Veterinary Practice. Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest and passion for production animal health. Criteria include:
- Demonstrated interest and passion for production animal health.
- Relevant and realistic career goals in the field.
- Relevant experience in animal health, production livestock, or related fields.
- Active involvement in co-curricular activities related to agriculture, animal science and/or veterinary medicine.
- Academic potential.
- Applicants must be admitted to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources with plans to major in Animal Science or Veterinary Science.
Application instructions:
To apply for the Nebraska Production Animal Health Scholarship, applicants must submit the following materials electronically to huskerdvm@unl.edu:
- A statement of intent indicating: (2 page maximum)
- Interest and passion for production animal health.
- Desire to practice in a rural community in Nebraska.
- Career goals related to animal health.
- Relevant experiences.
- Community involvement, leadership roles, co-curricular activities, honors, and awards.
- A 2-minute video highlighting the applicant’s interest and passion for production animal health.
- Three letters of reference from individuals who can attest to applicant's:
- Interests in production animal health.
- Academic and professional potential.
- Likelihood to become a successful food animal veterinarian.
- Highly recommend one letter from a veterinarian.
- References must not be family members.
- Official high school transcripts
- ACT or SAT exam score report
- A one-page resume detailing the applicant’s educational background, relevant experience, extracurricular activities, and achievements.
Other submission considerations:
The deadline for submitting the application materials is April 19, 2024. Decisions will be communicated by May 17, 2024.
All application materials must be submitted electronically to huskerdvm@unl.edu. Incomplete or late application materials will not be considered.
For inquiries or further information, please contact the CASNR Dean’s Office at 402-472-2201.
We encourage all eligible Nebraska residents with a passion for production animal health to apply for the Nebraska Production Animal Health Scholarship and embark on a fulfilling journey towards a career in veterinary medicine.