Scholarship Opportunities 2025-26

Essays sent to finaid@neco.edu should be in Word, not PDF format.

NECO SCHOLARSHIPS
Use the link below to apply for Alumni, Grossman, Kofos, and Pildes Scholarships, which are briefly described below. You can also find this listing on the NECO Student Portal. Applicants will be notified of their status in March. The deadline is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

Please note that NECO scholarship donors will be notified of the recipient’s name. The recipient’s name and photo will appear on the NECO website and ceremony program unless a signed paper “opt out” request is received by the Financial Aid Office by March 15, 2026.

Essay Topic: Describe the leadership qualities and professional values that you possess, which will enable you to contribute to the future of the optometric profession and the college’s Alumni Association. (Maximum 300 words) https://forms.gle/msXcLRu4k7N61JSR9

Alumni Scholarship

This award was established by the Alumni Association. Recipients are selected based on record of service to the College and/or profession, the potential for continued active participation in the Alumni Association, demonstrated and continued community service, and academic performance. 

The Israel and Sylvia Grossman Scholarship

This award was established in 1975 by the Grossman’s children in honor of their parents’ 40th anniversary. The award is given to a student who has demonstrated academic achievement, and who has the potential for becoming an active and concerned member of the alumni body of the College and the optometric profession.

Monthe N. Kofos Scholarship

The Monthe N. Kofos Scholarship was established through a grant from Dr. Kofos. Awards are given to two third- or fourth-year students with demonstrated academic achievement and the potential to contribute to the optometric profession.

Harry and Sara Pildes Scholarship

The Harry and Sara Pildes Scholarship is funded by a gift from Michael and Dan Pildes, sons of Harry and Sara, to honor their parents. Recipients of the award are first year students in the 4-year program, who have demonstrated academic achievement and the potential for becoming an active and concerned member of the alumni body of the College and of the profession.

OTHER NECO AWARDS (Please send essays to finaid@neco.edu)

HEYMANS SCHOLARSHIP

The Edith and Erich Heymans Scholarship was funded by the Heymans because of Mr. Heyman’s fondness for the College. Mr. Heymans was a German immigrant who worked at the College in the late 1960’s as a part-time Business Manager. He is remembered as an unassuming person whose work was meticulous. Eligible candidates are third-year students who combine academic excellence with high ethical standards, dedication, and a keen attention to detail.
Essay: Please explain how your academic journey and personal values align with the legacy of Erich Heymans. Specifically, provide examples of how you demonstrate dedication, integrity, and meticulous attention to detail in your daily life. Deadline is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

DR. JEAN M. LANK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This NECO scholarship, established by Dr. Lank’s parents, is awarded to a first-year student. In addition to being a first year, one of the following criteria must have applied to you prior to enrolling at the College:

• You were a nurse or LPN

• You were employed full time in a health-related career

• You were employed full time and decided to make a career change

To apply for the scholarship, interested students should submit an essay that explains the reason for your career change and why you should receive this award.  Essays must be submitted to finaid@neco.eduby SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.   

DR. CHARLES ROBERT SOLTES SCHOLARSHIP

When one thinks of Rob Soltes, these words come to mind: honor, loyalty, integrity and love of country. He was guided by strong moral principles and always led by example.  Professionally, Rob displayed a genuine compassion for his patients. As a friend, he was dependable and caring.  As a student, Rob was involved with the establishment of the Student Ethics Committee and the resulting student handbook.  Rob will long be remembered for his warm and loving
nature. Major Charles Robert Soltes Jr., O.D., ’98 was killed while serving in Iraq on October 13, 2004. Rob was the first optometrist ever killed in action while serving on active duty in the US military. The faculty, staff and friends of the College established a scholarship fund in Rob’s memory.

Criteria:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need are required. 

• The recipient will best embody Rob’s leadership ability, academic record, compassion and dedication to service. 

• First, second, and third years in the 4-year OD program; first year ASIP’s, and first and second year AODP’s.

Apply by submitting an essay to finaid@neco.edu by SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, on the topic “How will your professional career impact the world community?”  There is no minimum or maximum length requirement.

ROBERT and ELEANOR TITELBAUM OD AWARD FOR CLINICAL PROFICIENCY AND EXCELLENCE

Candidates will be third or fourth-year students in the four-year program who made a career change to optometry and
demonstrate clinical excellence. Apply for this award by submitting an essay to finaid@neco.edu on the topic: “Why I switched career paths and chose
to attend optometry school”. The recipient will be selected by the Titelbaum family. 

The deadline to apply is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

THE STACEY ROSEMORE FRIEDMAN SCHOLARSHIP

The Stacey Rosemore Friedman scholarship was established by Frederic and Marion Rosemore, to honor the scholarly and professional achievement of their granddaughter in the sphere of optometric health care. Stacey is an alumna of the college.  The scholarship of $928 will be awarded to one student in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the college’s peer tutoring program.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The recipient of the scholarship will have served as a tutor during the prior year.

• Applicants must be in good academic standing, and must have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework completed in prior years.

• Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

To be considered for the scholarship, please submit an essay (without naming the student) on the topic: Describe an instance in which your tutoring made a positive impact on a fellow student. 

The deadline to apply is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

DRS. CLIFFORD AND MARY SCOTT SCHOLARSHIP

The Drs. Clifford and Mary Scott Scholarship was established in 2020 by NECO Board of Trustees to recognize and honor five decades of distinguished institutional service by an accomplished and esteemed member of the NECO community. In 2024, the name of the scholarship was changed to the Drs. Clifford and Mary Scott Scholarship, to also honor Mary Scott and her five decades of commitment to NECO.

This endowed scholarship fund will benefit exemplary (second, third and fourth year) students enrolled in the NECO Doctor of Optometry program who exhibit both academic excellence and extraordinary contributions to the NECO community and/or clinical system and has demonstrated financial need. 

Essay Topic: Please articulate how you have maintained academic excellence during your time at NECO and how your leadership roles, or clinical experiences, made an impact on your peers, faculty or patient care. 

The deadline to apply is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

DR. KATHLEEN ZINZER MCCARTHY SCHOLARSHIP

The Dr. Kathleen Zinzer McCarthy Scholarship (The Scholarship) is established by Kathleen’s family, friends and fellow NECO alumni to celebrate her life, honor her courageous battle with cancer and recognize her commitment to educating and supporting others, specifically in her focus area of pediatric optometry and binocular vision.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Good academic standing and on track to timely graduate.

• Demonstrated financial need.

• Preference to applicant that; Has either battled Cancer, or have had their life impacted by a family member’s battle with Cancer; and has a focus in pediatric optometry and binocular vision.

Essay Topic: To be considered, please write an essay describing how your own life has been impacted by a personal or family battle with cancer. How has this experience shaped your resilience and influenced your decision to specialize in pediatric optometry and binocular vision?

The deadline to apply is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

SEBASTIAN POLIZZI, OD ’67 SCHOLARSHIP

Created in 2021 in memory of Dr. Sebastian Polizzi, Class of 1967 this award is given each year to a third-year student who combines both knowledge and technical skills with compassion and caring for patients. A preference is given to a student from New York, where Dr. Polizzi lived and practiced for over 40 years.

Essay Topic: Please submit an essay to Financial Aid Office not to exceed 500 words. Please indicate why you believe you share Dr. Polizzi’s compassion and dedication for patients, why these characteristics are important, and provide a short description of how they have demonstrated these qualities, both in patient
care and in life in general.

The deadline to apply is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

MARK VARNUM SCHOLARSHIP

Dr. Mark Stephen Varnum, OD, class of 1987, was a dedicated Optometrist who touched countless lives with his kindness, generosity, and grace. Unfortunately, Dr. Varnum passed away on January 2025, in Portland Maine. The scholarship was established by his classmates who remember his gentle spirit, his unwavering compassion, and the genuine warmth he brought to every interaction. Dr. Varnum was an avid outdoorsman who hunted, fished, sailed,
SCUBA dived, and skied.

This scholarship supports a student from the Northeast region based on Dr. Varnum’s love for the outdoors. Dr. Varnum understood that to care for others, one must also care for oneself. He found his balance in the outdoors.

Essay Topic: Describe how your experiences in the outdoors have sharpened your observational skills and how you apply that attention to detail in a clinical setting.

The deadline to apply is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

DR. MAUREEN HANLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Dr. Maureen Hanley Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor her legacy and as a way for those in the NECO community to join together in celebration of all she gave to NECO and her patients. The fund will support students who share her unique passion and commitment. This award is specifically intended for students who have demonstrated a strong passion for ocular disease, with a particular focus on glaucoma management and research.

Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Year Level: You must be a current third- or fourth-year OD student, or an accelerated student in your final year.

• Academic Standing: You must be in good academic standing.

• GPA: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 is required.

Essay Topic: As a future Optometrist, what do you believe are the most critical challenges or opportunities in glaucoma care today, and how do you plan to contribute to this field throughout your career?

The deadline to apply is SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15.