Nicholas A. Pennipede Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Eye Associates Inc.
For more than 30 years Eye Associates has served thousands of patients and families throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. Our work has been possible because of the support of the neighborhoods, schools, and municipalities where we operate. Our founder, Vincent Pennipede, earned a military health-professions scholarship through perseverance and went on to open the practice’s first location in Overland Park.
Honoring that legacy of opportunity and community service, Eye Associates offers scholarships to students pursuing higher education who show a commitment to supporting their communities. We seek sincere, hardworking applicants who reflect our values of service and civic engagement.
Eligibility
- You must have been accepted to an accredited college or university and plan to enroll full-time within the next six (6) months; OR
- You must have been accepted to an accredited optometry school and plan to begin enrollment as an optometry student within the next six (6) months.
2024 Scholarship Timeline
- Fall 2024 cycle
- Application window opens: March 16, 2023
- Application deadline: November 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST
- Winner announced by approximately December 15, 2024
Application requirements and instructions
- Essay: Submit a 500–800 word personal essay addressing all of the following:
- How you intend to use your education to benefit your community
- How this scholarship would assist you in reaching your goals
- Why Eye Associates should choose you for this award
- File format: Essays must be submitted as a PDF. Submissions in other formats will not be accepted.
- Proof of acceptance/enrollment: Provide an acceptance letter or documentation of enrollment from an accredited university or optometry school. The institution must be listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s official school listings.
- Academic status: Include a statement of your current academic standing and evidence confirming you are accepted or enrolled as described above.
- Consent: By applying, you authorize Eye Associates to verify your admission and enrollment with the college or university.
- Selection process: Winners will be chosen by a review panel at Eye Associates, Inc., based on the essay, application materials, and supporting information.
- Originality: Please do not submit a generic, mass-produced essay. We value thoughtful, individualized responses that reflect the spirit of this scholarship.
If you have questions about documentation or eligibility, contact Eye Associates for clarification before submitting.