Investing in Tomorrow’s Veterinary Leaders

For some, the cost of a veterinary degree can seem insurmountable in pursuing their dream of becoming a veterinarian. UC Davis is committed to keeping those hopes alive by making veterinary school affordable and ensuring the success of our students.

For rising star Dr. Jose Guerrero Cota, DVM ’18, scholarship support provided him with a financial safety net and peace of mind. The award also served to recognize his hard work and assure him that he was on the right path.

“All too often, dreams of a professional career are set aside due to other financial responsibilities, and sadly, never come to fruition,” Guerrero Cota said. “I had the incredible privilege of receiving the Francisco “Pancho” Lopez Scholarship award and will be forever grateful to Robert and Colleen Haas for establishing it.”

Guerrero Cota was the first recipient of the endowed scholarship, created to honor the Haas family’s longtime friend, Francisco “Pancho” Lopez for his lifelong dedication to equine health and well-being. Lopez had wanted to become a veterinarian, but family responsibilities prevented him from fulfilling his ambition.

Guerrero Cota returned to UC Davis to obtain advanced training as a resident in the Diagnostic Imaging Service, the nation’s largest diagnostic imaging residency program.

“One way I plan to express my gratitude is by starting my own scholarship and pay forward the gift that the Haas family gave to me,” Guerrero Cota said.

Keeping Veterinary School Affordable

The school is home to approximately 720 of the world's brightest doctors of veterinary medicine (DVM) students, PhD and MS students, and public health and epidemiology (Master in Preventive Veterinary Medicine/MPVM) students. Our professional and graduate students are dedicated to becoming the next generation of veterinarians, researchers, and industry professionals.

UC Davis graduates move into their careers with a lower debt than nearly any other veterinary school. The school uses a combination of philanthropy and return-to-aid, and provided approximately $8 million in financial assistance to students in 2021-22. With our leading educational experience and excellent financial outcomes, UC Davis is the best value in veterinary education.

UC Davis annually awards hundreds of fellowships and scholarships to our veterinary students. In 2021-22, those awards totaled $3.3 million. This support is made possible thanks to the generosity of many individuals, association and corporate donors.

“Donor support equates to opportunities and mental well-being for our students—to realize their dreams, to study veterinary medicine with reduced financial stress, and to pursue advanced clinical or scientific training, which leads to better patient care and medical breakthroughs,” said Lee Ann Jansen, assistant dean of Advancement. “Most importantly, it provides the opportunity for students to dream bigger than they ever thought possible. An enormous thank you to every person and organization who has supported our students.”

Most students receive return-to-aid fee grants of, at minimum, approximately $7,000 per year plus $500 in a one-time computer technology grant, which equates to approximately $28,900 over the course of four years. Annual resident tuition and fees of $32,923 are covered for almost one year with return-to-aid alone.