The 2026 Scholarship Winners will be presented on January 7, 2026.

LIVMA 2027 Scholarship Application
DEADLINE : 10/15/2026.

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Congratulations to LIVMA's 2025 Scholarship Recipients

Frank C. Marrone - Veterinary Student

Laura Hernandez - Veterinary Technician Student

The 2025 LIVMA Scholarships were presented to this year's winners by LIVMA's Scholarship Chair, Dr. Nicole Paccione-Gerbe, on January 15, 2025.
2025 LIVMA Scholarship winners will also be invited to the 2026 LIVMA Member Celebration.

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LIVMA 2026 Scholarship Remembers Michael W. Seda
02/03/2003- 08/22/2021

     Michael, as all families would say, was an exceptional individual.  He possessed a profound love for both animals and people, as well as a passion for embarking on adventures, acquiring new knowledge, and embracing challenges. Over the course of his eighteen and a half years, Michael profoundly impacted countless individuals in ways that may not have been immediately apparent.
     In ninth grade, he was recognized as a “Natural Helper” and invited to participate in a group called “Natural Helpers.” His peers nominated him as someone they could rely on during difficult times.
     Additionally, he served as the Secretary and President of the National Technical Honor Society while attending the BOCES Animal Science Program, where he consistently maintained a high academic record and was honored to deliver their graduation speech.
     In 2020, Michael participated in BOCES Advocacy Day in Albany and received an Outstanding Student Award from the Animal Science Department for his dedication, excellence, and achievements.
     Beyond his BOCES Animal Science coursework and high school requirements, he pursued a course through SUNY Delhi titled “Introduction to Veterinary Technology” and LIVMA's Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration class through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
     Michael was driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a strong desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. He was fortunate to have a local veterinarian, Dr. Lisa McCann, who took him under her guidance and permitted him to volunteer in her office. Each day he would return home with an aura of excitement, eager to share his experiences. Dr. McCann extended an employment offer to Mike, which he accepted with enthusiasm, often extending his stay beyond regular hours to engage in activities that piqued his interest, or simply explore the sights he encountered.
          In addition to his academic and career aspirations, Michael actively participated in various extracurricular activities, including swimming, baseball, theater and the New York State Society of Music Association (NYSSMA) for voice and cello.

     His close-knit family and friends held a special place in his heart. While he cherished travel experiences, he also found solace in the comfort of engaging in playful interactions with his younger cousins, immersing himself in video games, or simply spending time with his friends.
     As a family, Michael brought joy, affection, and adventure into our lives. His innovative and creative spirit often left us in stitches along with occasional moments of exhilaration.
     Regrettably, on August 22, 2021, Michael tragically lost his life in a fatal car accident, one day before his departure for Utica College, where he would pursue his studies in Animal Behavior with the aspiration of attending veterinary school.
     To honor Michael’s memory and preserve his legacy, we have decided to establish an educational gift in his name, benefiting a student who embodies his remarkable qualities and aspirations.

2027 LIVMA Scholarship Application

Dear Applicant:

The Long Island Veterinary Medical Association (LIVMA) is again offering its once-yearly scholarships for the spring 2027 academic semester to provide financial assistance for a veterinary and veterinary technician student who are originally from Long Island, meaning they lived on Long Island, before going on to veterinary school.  

The purpose of our scholarship program is to help enrich the veterinary community on Long Island by encouraging and supporting students from the area in their efforts to become veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

The LIVMA scholarship will be awarded to students who are attending an accredited school (no online programs will be considered), are in good standing, and who intended to contribute to veterinary medicine on Long Island upon graduation.  All grade levels (first through final year) will be considered.

THIS AWARD IS TO BE BASED ON MEETING THE ABOVE CRITERIA AND ON AN ESSAY OUTLINING YOUR PLANS ON INVOLVEMENT WITH THE VETERINARY COMMUNITY ON LONG ISLAND IN THE FUTURE.  THIS ESSAY IS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION, ALONG WITH YOUR CURRENT SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT.

The amount of the award for the 2027 spring semester will be $1,750.00 for a veterinary student, and $1,750.00 for a veterinary technician student.
This year LIVMA is also adding a smaller $500.00 scholarship in memory of Long Island student Michael Seda.

This means one LI veterinary student will be awarded $1,750.00, while a second LI veterinary student will be awarded $500.00. You do not need to identify which award you are applying for, the LIVMA Scholarship Committee will make all selections.

There will only be one veterinary technician student award for $1,750.00 given for 2027.

The application must be completed and submitted no later than October 15, 2026.

The LIVMA Scholarship Committee will contact all applicants on or about December 15, 2026.

​If you have any questions, please contact the LIVMA at [email protected].