How to reserve your AOA+ travel grant to Phoenix by the March 31 deadline

Your ticket to the largest AOSA student and new doctor gathering in years is just a click away—reserve your AOA+ travel grant to Optometry's Meeting® in Phoenix by March 31. 

Why it matters: AOA+ at Optometry’s Meeting, June 17-20, builds the profession's future for career success by delivering job-hunt resources, direct connection with established doctors and leaders, as well as one unforgettable experience you’ll share with thousands of colleagues. 

• When it comes to optometry’s future, the AOA and AOSA are all in. That’s why over 2,000 AOA+ travel grants are available to Phoenix—but only for a limited time. 

In fact, a thousand students have already reserved their grant to Phoenix, the most students since 2023. And that’s significant because this year, Optometry’s Meeting delivers all-new events and opportunities tailored for students and early career optometrists. 

Grants are going fast, but if you've still got questions, then the AOA and AOSA are ready with answers. 

• Join the AOA+ Insider: Eyebot Updates & What’s Ahead in Phoenix webinar on Monday, March 23, at 8 p.m. CT in AOA EyeLearn. Sign up here. 

Hosted by the AOSA, this webinar offers details on AOA+ travel grants, a glimpse at our AOA+ schedule and gives you a chance to ask questions—and get real-time answers.  

What’s more, AOSA and AOA leaders will provide an exclusive update on Walmart’s rollout of Eyebot vision-testing kiosks. Impressive student activism—with over 1,500 students at 13 optometry schools and counting actively speaking out—adds to the ongoing advocacy by AOA and state affiliates to reinforce concerns about protecting patients’ eye health and ensuring continued access to in-person, comprehensive eye care provided by doctors of optometry. 

What’s in it for you: So, how about those all-new events and opportunities at Optometry’s Meeting this year? Download your AOA+ schedule at a glance to see for yourself or check out these highlights: 

1. Attend the inaugural AOA EyeQ Championship, supported by AOAExcel®. For decades, the Student Bowl electrified Optometry’s Meeting. Now, this time-honored tradition enters a new era, and you can be the first to experience it. See what you can expect from the all-new Championship on Thursday, June 18. And, psst... as of right now, it looks like Southern College of Optometry is going to have the largest cheering section.
2. Learn about residencies & starting your career. Let’s talk about your next career step, whether that’s a residency or going job hunting. Join the Residency Summit on Friday, June 19, to meet face-to-face with residency directors and ask about their programs and clinical focus areas, as well as application timelines and how residencies fit with your career goals. Current residents can submit an abstract to present during the Residency Forum or attend the Residency Panel to discuss post-graduate opportunities. Or maybe you’re ready to get that first job, then the Career Fair is where you can meet potential employers and make connections that lead to career growth.
3. See what it takes to move optometry forward. The AOA is the powerhouse advocate for optometry, so attend the Leadership Lab: From Campus to Capitol brunch-style session on Thursday, June 18, to hear about advocacy and leadership development from the pros.  

“We are the future of the profession, and it is our responsibility to be ready to step up and lead when our turn comes—and what better opportunity to see what that takes than at AOA+,” says AOSA President James Chung, a student at The Ohio State University College of Optometry.  

The bottom line: Your registration for Optometry’s Meeting is due by March 31 to retain eligibility for an AOA+ travel grant to Phoenix.  

Need help advocating for time away? Download this customizable justification letter from the AOSA to make your case for attending.