The demand for veterinarians remains strong in Illinois and nationwide. There are 130 vet students at the University of Illinois this fall says Associate vet-med professor Dr. Jim Lowe.

The Illinois Farm Bureau offers the IVET Program, which provides low interest loans up to $40,000, to as many as three veterinary students each year. Loans are paid to recipients for a period of two to three years and are payable over 5 years after graduation. IVET also awards recipients a $1,500 stipend during their fourth year in school to help pay expenses associated with clinical rotations. Eligible applicants must be attending an accredited college of veterinary medicine in the U.S. and must commit to an Illinois food animal practice and work in the field for five years.