Scholarships will help reduce financial barriers for student pharmacists
Arlington, Va.—The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) is pleased to announce that the CVS Health Foundation/AACP Community Pharmacy Award will be awarded to 21 outstanding student pharmacists who face financial barriers in pursuit of education.
The CVS Health Foundation/AACP Community Pharmacy Award aims to support students who will care for the needs of patients, the profession, and the public, both within and outside healthcare settings. The purpose of the scholarship is to help reduce financial barriers for student pharmacists who are pursuing a Pharm.D. degree and who are committed to addressing the well-being of individual patients in communities across the United States. Each awardee will receive a single $20,000 scholarship funded by the CVS Health Foundation.
"We are proud to once again partner with the CVS Health Foundation to help expand access to pharmacy education and support the next generation of community pharmacy leaders," said Lee Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, Executive Vice President and CEO of AACP. "This award will help ensure that talented student pharmacists, especially those facing financial barriers, can continue their education and focus on developing the skills and innovative thinking needed to advance patient care and improve public health in communities nationwide."
"At CVS Health, we believe supporting future pharmacists is critical to ensuring patients’ pharmacy care needs are met today and in the years ahead," said Lucille Accetta, R.Ph., M.P.H., MBA, Chief Pharmacy Officer, CVS Health. "This award is more than financial support. It’s an investment in students who are passionate about learning, service, and caring for patients, while advancing the future of pharmacy."
Students must be enrolled in their first (P1) or second (P2) year in a 3-year or 4-year Pharm.D. program, or enrolled as a third (P3) or fourth (P4) year in a 0-5 or 0-6 Pharm.D. program during the 2026-2027 academic year at an AACP member institution. Selected awardees must demonstrate leadership, academic success, and a commitment to care for patients.
The CVS Health Foundation chose to focus part of this year’s application on students’ commitment to innovation. The updated essay prompt asks applicants to describe how they identify problems, challenge assumptions, and develop innovative solutions, particularly to advance patient care. Responses should highlight examples of curiosity, creativity, and adaptability, and explain how these experiences shape the applicant’s vision for improving patient care and public health through new ideas, tools, or care models.
For more information about the CVS Health Foundation/AACP Community Pharmacy Award, visit the AACP website.
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