Annual Valeant Dermatology to Award $10,000 Scholarships to Students Pursuing Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Feb. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Valeant Dermatology, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, today announced its annual ASPIRE HIGHER Scholarship Program will award nine individual scholarships of up to $10,000 each to students who will be attending undergraduate or graduate education programs during the 2017-2018 school year.  The aim of the scholarship program is to recognize students who have been diagnosed and treated for a dermatologic condition and are pursuing their goal of a higher education degree.  Applicants need not have used a Valeant dermatologic prescription medication to be eligible, nor will the use of a Valeant product increase an applicant's chance of winning the scholarship.

Three scholarships will be awarded in three different categories:  Undergraduate Scholar Awards for students pursuing an undergraduate degree, Graduate Scholar Awards for students pursuing a graduate degree and Today's Woman Scholar Awards for students who are mothers pursuing either a graduate or undergraduate degree.

Last year's scholarship winners were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants, the highest number of applications received since the program launched in 2013.  

"Valeant Dermatology is proud to be able to help support outstanding individuals achieve their educational dreams through our scholarship program," said Bill Humphries, Executive Vice President, Dermatology.   "We applaud their aspirations to attain a higher degree and recognize that beyond the challenging demands of their schooling, they have also had to overcome the difficulties of living with a skin condition."       

Applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay describing the impact their dermatologic condition has had on their life and the role their healthcare practitioner has played in helping treat their condition. Other application requirements include two letters of recommendation and information on their current school and community activities.  Applications will be accepted from February 1, 2017 through April 30, 2017 and the winners will be named on July 10, 2017.  To apply for a scholarship go to www.ValeantAspireHigher.com. 

Students eligible for the scholarship are those who have been diagnosed with a dermatologic condition at some point in their life, were under the care of a dermatologist, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner and have used a prescription medication from any manufacturer as treatment.  All applicants must have applied to, have been accepted to or are currently attending an accredited college, university or advanced vocational or technical school.

Healthcare professionals (e.g. dermatologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners), those in all other specialties and their staffs, and their family members (i.e. parents, children, siblings, and spouses, and those with whom they live) are NOT eligible for Valeant Dermatology Scholarships. In addition, any person eligible for reimbursement of prescriptions, in whole or in part, by any federal, state or other governmental programs, including, but not limited to, Medicare (including Medicare Advantage and Part A, B and D Plans), Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Administration or Department of Defense health coverage, CHAMPUS, or any other federal or state health care programs, is not eligible. Please visit our website at www.ValeantAspireHigher.com  to learn more about the Valeant Scholarship Program.

About Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America, LLC

Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of prescription dermatology, eye health, gastrointestinal, consumer healthcare and other pharmaceutical products. More information about Valeant can be found at www.valeant.com.

SOURCE Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC

Related Links

http://www.valeant.com