Understanding SUNY College of Optometry Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Choosing to study optometry at the SUNY College of Optometry is a significant investment in your future. As a global leader in optometric education, the college seeks to attract talented candidates who will contribute to the vibrant campus community. Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.

Tuition Costs

In 2023, the cost of tuition at SUNY College of Optometry was $0. The cost of tuition at SUNY College of Optometry is $−15,164 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Special Focus Institutions ($15,164).

Additional Expenses

Beyond tuition, students should also consider other expenses. The first set of instruments costs approximately $1,800 and is due in July. Second year students in the professional program purchase one set of instruments.

Room and Board

The average yearly cost of room and board at SUNY College of Optometry was $0 in 2023. The cost of room and board remained the same by NaNk% between 2022 and 2023. For the 2025-2026 academic year, a student is allowed a maximum Financial Aid allotment of $19,610 for rent. The average rent for a student living in walking distance to the college is $1,500 per month.

Other Living Expenses

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the student is allowed a maximum Financial Aid allotment of $7,650 for all other expenses. Actual amounts spent will vary depending on a student’s personal preferences.

Read also: GPA Guide for SUNY Oswego Students

Financial Aid Opportunities

SUNY College of Optometry is committed to serving students who have served our country as members of the military. While the VA offers a range of financial assistance programs to eligible veterans, there are also federal student aid programs that may be available to you as a graduate student. The College offers an exceptional curriculum for its students, with opportunities to augment learning through a broad array of elective courses and other opportunities.

Federal Aid Programs

To apply for these federal student aid programs, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will determine your eligibility for federal financial aid based on your financial need and other factors. A signed copy of student’s federal tax forms is required. *All graduate and professional students are considered independent. Please note: Financial Aid cannot be disbursed until you have enrolled in August. Instrument expenses and start-up living expenses will not come from Financial Aid.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Graduate students may be eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which are federal student loans that do not require financial need.
Direct PLUS Loans: Graduate students may also be eligible for Direct PLUS Loans, which are federal loans that can help cover the cost of your education.
Federal Work-Study Program: The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time employment opportunities for eligible students, allowing you to earn money to help pay for your education.

Scholarships

Scholarships are generally awarded on the basis of meritorious academic performance, need or a combination of both and do not need to be repaid. The total number and amount of scholarships awarded each year varies based upon the number of qualified applicants. The amount of each scholarship award can fluctuate based upon the yearly performance of the scholarship endowment fund; however, the scholarships can range up to $2500 per recipient. Here are some of the scholarships available at SUNY College of Optometry:

President David A.: Awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to advancing academic optometry, shows evidence of creative and impactful leadership, and display a passion for the future of optometry. Preference will be given to those who are pursuing or have already received another advanced degree such as MPH, MS, MBA, and/or PhD.
Awarded to students with academic merit and financial need. Students will be automatically considered once they complete their first semester at SUNY Optometry.
Awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student with High Financial Need and in good academic standing.
Dr. Mark S.: Awarded to a 4th year student for Clinical Excellence In Primary Care.
Awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student with Financial Need and academic merit.
Scott Tasker Folsom Scholarship(s): Dr. and Mrs. William Folsom have executed a trust to establish a permanent scholarship(s) on behalf of their son, to be known as the Scott Tasker Folsom Scholarship(s). The trust is a permanent endowment, the income from which will fund the scholarship(s) for professional students in optometry.
Awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student with Financial Need and a minimum GPA of 2.7.
Each year up to 5 students from the Central New York area will receive a scholarship. Counties eligible have been determined by the Foundation of Central New York.
One to two scholarships are given annually to a second, third or fourth year student based on outstanding academic performance.
Awarded to a 1st 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student with Financial Need and academic merit.
Awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student with Financial Need and a minimum GPA of 2.7.
The interest from this endowment will be awarded annually in the form of a scholarship to a student who has demonstrated proficiency and compassion in working with children in the Vision Rehabilitation unit or intent to practice pediatric optometry after graduation.
Dr. and Mrs. Jerome Weiss: Dr. and Mrs. Jerome Weiss, distinguished friends of the College, from Syracuse, New York, have established an endowment, the income from which will support one or more scholarships for professional students in optometry.
Awarded to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student with Financial Need and a minimum GPA of 2.7.
Presidential Award for Advancing Inclusive Scholarship (PAIS): As a global leader in optometric education, the SUNY College of Optometry seeks to attract talented international candidates who will contribute to the vibrant campus community. PAIS recipients are transformative leaders who have demonstrated the potential to contribute significantly to the SUNY Optometry and broader global optometric communities.
Two $2,000 scholarships are given to a third-year student with good academic standing and essay. The foundation awards scholarship money to second, third and fourth-year students demonstrating financial need, good academic standing and a sincere desire to contribute to the optometric profession.
I know that finances are tight for most students and loans play a major role in the Financial Aid Process. CooperVision Student Leadership Societies offer travel grants and stipends to enhance optometric education.
Dr. Frank D. Fontana: The Heart of America Eye Care Congress, in partnership with VSP Global created this scholarship in honor of optometrist Dr. Frank D. Fontana. Third and fourth-year optometry students actively engaged in patient care are eligible. This scholarship opportunity is for optometry students interested in a path to private practice ownership. In collaboration with the Association of Practice Management Educators (APME) and Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN), the VSP Premier Edge Student Business Challenge asks applicants to submit a business plan that describes their professional and personal plan to private practice ownership.
Dr. Larry J.: Increasing public awareness about the importance of early and often eye exams is vital to children’s eye and vision health. One of the major ways to directly communicate with parents and caregivers is through social media. The $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to the creator of the social media toolkit judged to be the best submitted to Optometry Cares, in accordance with the criteria listed.
Dr. Marvin R.: The Dr. Leslie Mintz Scholarship is awarded annually to an optometry school student or students who possess academic excellence, financial need, and the desire to serve the profession of optometry as did Dr.

Grants

Grants are given to students generally on the basis of financial need. The State University of New York awards between $500 and $5,000 based on funding and eligibility determined from the SUNY College of Optometry. Partial tuition waivers are granted by the State University of New York to students who have participated in an undergraduate opportunity program such as EOP, HEOP or SEEK.

Emergency Loans

$500 to $1,000 emergency loans are available to students who experience delays in processing financial aid.

Read also: SUNY Albany Costs

Educational Loans

Educational loans are generally lower interest alternatives to market rate loans. Many have federal or state subsidies and delayed interest and/or principal repayments until after the academic program is completed. Qualified students may be awarded $250 to $4,000 at 5% interest. Qualified students may be awarded between $250 to $3,000 each year at 5% interest. Up to $40,500 per year (minus the amount the student qualified for in the subsidized Stafford Loan) is available.

Additional Resources

SUNY Smart Track, Empowered Financial Planning: Smart money management is key to a bright financial future. From banking and budgeting to identifying theft and student loans, learn what you need to know. Take 30 seconds to click the SUNY Smart Track button and create an account. SUNY Smart Track is an online learning environment that empowers students for a lifetime of financial success. The interactive financial aid literacy tools can assist students to achieve smart money management skills.
Fast Web: Fastweb is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to scholarships and financial aid tools.

Additional Information

SUNY Optometry considers the whole student during the admissions process. A strong overall and science/math GPA and high OAT scores are only several of the factors that we use to decide if a candidate is a good fit for us. The Admissions Committee also considers the quality of the candidate’s undergraduate institution, type of program pursued, progression of grades, extracurricular activities, leadership and community involvement, communication and interpersonal skills, letters of recommendation, personal interview and commitment to the profession. The application cycle begins July 1st of the year prior, and ends March 1st of the year the applicant intends to enroll. Applications are processed on a rolling admissions basis. The Admissions Committee begins making decisions early in the application process (mid-September).

The professional program leading to the Doctor of Optometry (OD) at the SUNY College of Optometry is four years in duration. The curriculum integrates the basic biological and vision sciences that form the foundation of clinical practice, teaches the fundamentals of optometry, and develops critical thinking for evidence based practice. Patient care begins early and continues throughout all four years of the program.

Graduates of international colleges of optometry seeking advanced standing must apply through OptomCAS; submit two letters of recommendation; detailed syllabi of all post-secondary courses taken; submit Part 1 of the NBEO (or the OAT); and all other regular admission requirements. The advanced standing application is processed separately from the regular first year admissions process. In its deliberations, the Admissions Committee considers, among others, the following factors:

Whether the candidate would have qualified as a first year applicant.
Performance in their completed optometry program.
Compatibility of the foreign optometric curriculum with the SUNY College of Optometry’s course of study.

Based upon a recommendation from the Admissions Committee, a decision on admission, program design and requirements for the program completion is made by the Dean's Council.

Read also: Tuition at SUNY New Paltz

As its primary objective, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) project at SUNY College of Optometry exists to increase the number of historically underrepresented minority students in STEM and health professions, particularly in the growing and dynamic profession of optometry. New York State residents that qualify for the CSTEP program and are full-time college and graduate students are eligible to apply for these programs.

tags: #SUNY #College #of #Optometry #tuition #and