Student-Debt Relief Available to Early-Career Swine Veterinarians

By Abbey Canon

The AASV Foundation is pleased to offer two opportunities for AASV members to apply for relief of student debt. Applications are due December 1 for a total of twelve $7500 grants to be awarded at the 2026 AASV Annual Meeting.

While the application process is the same for both opportunities, the eligibility requirements are different, as described below and at aasv.org/foundation/swine-veterinarians/debt-relief-grants/

Dr. Conrad and Judy Schmidt Family Student Debt-Relief Scholarships

In 2019, Dr. Conrad and Judy Schmidt funded and awarded the AASV Foundation’s first student debt-relief scholarship. The program has expanded since then, and in 2026 the foundation will award two $7500 scholarships to qualifying applicants. These awards are available to AASV members who are 2 to 5 years post-graduation from veterinary school (2021, 2022, 2023 graduates) and engaged in private veterinary practice devoted 50% or more to swine, providing on-farm service directly to independent pork producers. The recipients must have maintained their membership in AASV since joining in veterinary school and must also have attended the AASV Annual Meeting while in school.