Become a student member of the AOA.
When you’re a member of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), you’re automatically a member of the AOA. Learn more about why you should join today, and get access to scholarship information, discounts and national board exam support.
Financial Aid
The AOA offers students and doctors of optometry tools for obtaining financial aid and also paying back loans, managing finances, finding scholarship opportunities and creating a budget so you can focus on what matters.
Residency Programs
The AOA provides members with a list of accredited optometric residency programs from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). Openings also include technician programs and optometric degree programs at schools and colleges of optometry.
Academic Checklist
Your education calendar must be firm but flexible when it comes to your optometry education requirements. Through it all—applying to a program, meeting optometry school prerequisites, going to grad school, taking the board exams and graduating—members of the AOA and its affiliate the AOSA are supported as students, recent graduates, optometric residents and, finally, as new doctors of optometry.
Leadership Society
The AOA+ Leadership Society is a program for students who want to build leadership skills, advance their careers through networking, personal and professional development and gain specialized education outside of the classroom. Enhance your resume by adding this academic achievement!
Local Meetings
Connect with doctors of optometry, optometric students and paraoptometric staff and expand your knowledge and gain new certifications at these upcoming events.
EyeLearn
AOA’s member-exclusive centralized education portal, EyeLearn, offers an expanding online catalog of educational modules, webinars and resources to help advance clinical proficiencies, the practice of contemporary optometry, and practice management for doctors of optometry, future doctors of optometry, and paraoptometric staff. In an effort to support professional development for the field of optometry, select courses may be available to all individuals in the profession.
Colorado Vision Summit
Westminster, CO
Clinically Addressing Light Sensitivity Associated Migraine
AOA EyeLearn Professional Development Hub
Event CalendarAOA on Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C.
AOA on Capitol Hill returns with an all-new September 2025 date
AOA on Capitol Hill is the AOA's single-largest annual advocacy event in Washington, D.C., directly connecting optometry's advocates and leaders with our nation's policy leaders to advance optometric eye health and vision care for the benefit of all Americans. Our annual hill day is a key reason why the AOA is consistently recognized as one of the most effective, respected advocacy organizations in the nation's capital with hundreds of doctors, optometry students and affiliate leaders participating in this 3-day fly-in to deliver optometry's priorities.
AOA on Capitol Hill participation is open to all advocacy-minded AOA member doctors and students with plenary sessions, breakouts and briefings intended to prepare attendees to get involved in the advocacy fight for optometry's future. Additionally, attendees may have the opportunity, in close coordination with their affiliates, to participate in meetings with their members of Congress and staff.
Registration and housing will close on Friday, Aug. 29. Registration is required for participation at AOA on Capitol Hill.
Are you a student interested in attending?
AOSA-member optometry students are eligible for complimentary registration and housing, as well as travel assistance to attend AOA on Capitol Hill 2025*. Student members will receive:
- Complimentary registration ($299 value) and housing (two-nights stay for Sunday and Monday)
- Up to $450 reimbursement for travel-related expenses
Hotel accommodations and rooming assignments will be arranged and paid for by the AOA for students who are registered for the meeting. Students should not book a hotel room using the link above as AOA will arrange student housing.
Use the link above to register and AOA will send additional information concerning housing and reimbursement.
*Must be a U.S. citizen to participate in Capitol Hill visits.