Doctor of Occupational Therapy Scholarships

National

American Occupational Therapy Foundation

AOTF scholarship that is focused on investing in the future of the profession through providing various scholarships. It was established in 1965 and has formed multiple partnerships with individual state associations to help grant more scholarships.

  • Eligibility: Enrolled and completed at least 1 year of OT specific coursework in an AOTA accredited or developing post-professional level program OR enrolled in an OTA program.
  • Amount: $150 – $5,000.
  • Deadline: Check website in Fall to apply for scholarships.
  • Apply: aotf.org/scholarships

AOTA E. K. Wise Scholarship Fund

OTA’s E.K. Wise Scholarship supports students from diverse backgrounds who can meet E.K. Wise’s and the Association’s objectives of developing a workforce to meet society’s diverse occupational needs in underserved areas or communities. Applicants must be enrolled (or accepted) in a post baccalaureate entry-level occupational therapy educational program on a full-time basis, demonstrate a sustained record of outstanding academic achievement, demonstrate leadership and community service, be able to contribute to a diverse work force, and be a member of AOTA.

National AMBUCS Scholarship

AMBUCS Inc. is a charitable service organization dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities.

  • Eligibility: US citizen with financial need, junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student accepted in PT, OT, SLP, Hearing Audiology program; intend to enter clinical practice in chosen field of therapy in the US.
  • Amount: $500-$1,500 annually; $6,000 (2-year award).
  • Deadline: Check website in Fall to apply for scholarships. ambucs.org/therapists/scholarship-program

Medical Scholarship Opportunity through Chosen, Inc.

The Carol A. Lengkeek and Cecilia N. Cabrero Medical Scholarship is for eligible applicants pursuing a graduate level medical (OTD) or social work degree. This opportunity is available to both domestic and international students who meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.2 out of a 4.0 scale. Applications are available from January 1 – March 31. MU OTD has an established Fieldwork partnership with Chosen, Inc. in Yucatan, Mexico. Please see Dr. Sheri Michel for additional information.

American Association of University Women

AAUW has a long and distinguished history of advancing educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe.

F. A. Davis Publishing Company Scholarships

The F. A. Davis Publishing company awards three $1,000 scholarships per academic year to enrolled healthcare students (OTD included).

Additional requirements include:

  • Must be a student in good standing with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Proof of enrollment, delivered as one of the following: enrollment verification letter, acceptance letter, course registration for upcoming semester, screenshot of unofficial transcript.
  • Introduction: 100-200 words about yourself, including why you are applying for the scholarship, fun facts about yourself, and anything you feel makes you stand out.
  • Short Essay: 300-600 words on why you have chosen to pursue a career in healthcare and what key qualities you possess that will help you be successful.
  • Must be a student in the U.S. or Canada (Must be a citizen, legal resident, or holder of a valid student visa).

Application for current academic year typically opens in August and deadline is January but please check website at fadavis.com/scholarship.

To apply, please see fadavis.com/scholarship. Questions about the scholarship should be directed to: [email protected].

Indian Health Service – Health Professions Scholarship

The IHS Scholarship Program (ihs.gov/scholarship) provides qualified American Indian and Alaska Native health professions students an opportunity to establish an educational foundation for each stage of your pre-professional careers. Since IHS began providing scholarship support to American Indian and Alaska Native students to pursue health profession careers in 1978, the program has grown to support, educate and place health care professionals within medically underserved Indian health programs throughout the continental United States and Alaska. Today, nearly 7,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students have received scholarship awards, and many have committed to serving their health profession careers at IHS; some have even returned to serve their own Tribal communities. If you envision a career with a true purpose and mission, Indian health programs are looking for people like you. If you are willing to commit to working in Indian health communities where you can truly make a difference, we encourage you to take the next step toward realizing your future. The scholarship program provides financial support in exchange for a minimum two-year service commitment within an Indian health program in your chosen health professional discipline.

Our Health Professions scholarship provides financial aid to qualified American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate- and graduate-level students. Recipients must be members of federally recognized Tribes and enrolled in an eligible health profession degree program. In exchange for financial aid, scholarship recipients agree to fulfill a service commitment in full-time clinical practice upon completion of their academic or post-graduate clinical training.

Healthcare/Public Service Multiple Loan Forgiveness

lendingtree.com/student/student-loan-forgiveness/

Veterans Benefits

Those using military benefits should contact Mr. Randy Smith in our Office of Military & Veteran Services for assistance with paperwork ([email protected]) or 910.630.7174.

North Carolina

North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Student Scholarship

In order to support the ongoing mission to promote continued and competent practice of occupational therapy, the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Student Scholarship was established in 2018 to support local occupational therapy practitioner students and the future of occupational therapy profession.

  • Eligibility: Completed a minimum of 2 semesters in a North Carolina occupational therapy program, NCOTA member, good academic standing, demonstrate leadership and have documented community service
  • Amount: $1,000 (OT Student)
  • Deadline: March 15th annually
  • Apply: ncota.org/students

North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF)

The North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) is a statewide community foundation serving North Carolina that sustains over 1,200 endowments and partners with a network of affiliates to award grants and scholarships in communities across the state. An important component of NCCF’s missions is to ensure rural philanthropy has a voice at the local, regional, and national levels. The NCCF does have certain scholarships for master’s and doctoral students. Apply here: nccommunityfoundation.org/apply/scholarships/how-to-apply.

Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. – Seema Joshi Scholarship for Healthcare Professionals

cumberlandcf.org/scholarships/timeline.html

Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS)

College Foundation of NC Forgivable Loans for Service (N.C. Residents Only)
A portion of your education loans may be forgiven by providing occupational therapy services in North Carolina up to a max loan limit of $56,000 ($14,000 year – $7,000/fall and spring semesters only). Applications are generally open from January 1-March 1 prior to the fall start of the doctoral program and do not require program admittance prior to applying. Selection is lottery based which renews if requirements are maintained unless recipient chooses to withdraw from the FELS program.

Diversity

Diversity Scholarships

nextstepu.com/how-to-get-a-diversity-scholarship.art#.ZGYqa3bMKUk

Mantra Health – College Mental Health Provider Diversity Scholarships

resources.mantrahealth.com/mantra-college-mental-health-provider-diversity-scholarship

Scholarship Databases

College Scholarships.org

Scholarship Search Engine that can be searched by Doctor of Occupational Therapy, gender, school level, ethnicity, award amount, state etc.

Scholarships.com

Occupational Therapy Scholarships

Sallie Mae Scholarships

Register for the Sallie Mae Scholarship Search and get free access to their full scholarship database, including 950,000 graduate scholarships, worth up to $1 billion.

For More Information

Current AOTA Scholarships