Financing Your O.D. Education

Most students finance their education through a combination of federal student aid, scholarships, grants, personal resources and educational loans. We encourage applicants to begin financial planning early and connect with our Financial Aid Office for personalized guidance. Adjustments or questions about tuition or financial aid should be directed to:

Angela Orlando 
Assistant Director of Financial Aid 
orlandan@udmercy.edu

For the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, visit our Tuition and Cost page.

Federal Financial Aid

Eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents may qualify for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal aid options available to eligible O.D. students may include:

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

  • Available to eligible graduate and professional students
  • Not based on financial need
  • Interest accrues while enrolled
  • Annual borrowing limits apply

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

  • Available to eligible graduate and professional students
  • Can help cover remaining educational expenses after other aid has been applied
  • Credit-based loan requiring a modest credit review
  • May be used to help fund tuition, fees, books, supplies and reasonable living expenses

Scholarships at Detroit Mercy School of Optometry

Merit-Based Institutional Scholarships

All admitted applicants are automatically considered for institutional scholarships. Awards are determined through a holistic review of each candidate and may take into consideration:

  • Academic achievement
  • Science and overall GPA
  • Standardized testing performance (when applicable)
  • Leadership experiences
  • Service and community engagement
  • Professional experiences
  • Alignment with the mission and values of UDMSO

Scholarship recipients are notified as part of the admissions process when applicable.

Renewable Awards

Select institutional scholarships may be renewable for up to four years, provided recipients maintain satisfactory academic progress and any applicable scholarship criteria.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond institutional awards, UDMSO actively monitors and shares information about external scholarships, grants and professional development funding opportunities available to optometry students.

Students are encouraged to explore the following resources:

Professional Organization Scholarships

Student Scholarships

Loan Repayment & Service-Based Funding Opportunities

Students interested in reducing future educational debt may also wish to explore loan repayment and service-based funding programs. Examples include:

National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Programs

Programs designed for healthcare professionals pursuing careers in qualified research settings.

United States Military Health Professions Scholarship Program

A U.S. military scholarship program that may provide support for tuition, fees, equipment and living expenses in exchange for a service commitment.

International Students

Canadian students and other international applicants often finance their education through a combination of government-sponsored funding programs, private educational loans, scholarships and personal resources.

The University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry is approved to participate in several Canadian provincial aid programs, including the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Students are encouraged to investigate funding opportunities available through their home province, territory or country, and to contact the Financial Aid Office with questions regarding eligibility and participation.

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