Scholarship Opportunities

The opportunities listed below are related to occupational therapy.

Advanced Travel Therapy Scholarship – $5,000

AMBUCS Scholarship Program – $600-$1,500

Scholarships to students pursuing degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and audiology based on financial need, commitment to local community, character for compassion and integrity, and career objectives.

AOTA E.K. Wise Scholarship – $2,500

Established in the 1960s through the generous bequest of Elizabeth K. Wise and supports students pursuing an entry-level occupational therapy (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) degree from diverse backgrounds.

AOTF Scholarship Program

Over 50 scholarships from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation and state occupational therapy associations. Points of interest:

• The Chris Ebbers Endowed Scholarship –  Amount TBD
  Scholarships awarded to one occupational therapy student and one occupational therapy assistant student within the state of South Carolina.
• Charles Christiansen and Beth Jones Endowed Scholarship – Amount TBD
  Preference given to students who will contribute to greater ethnic diversity in the occupational therapy profession.
• Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship – $2,000
  The Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship in Occupational Therapy will provide financial aid to support a student in pursuit of their degree.  Eligible candidates must be pursuing an entry-level degree, i.e., OTA, MOT, MSOT or OTD at an AOTA accredited US institution, must be enrolled as a full-time student, and must have completed at least one year of coursework. In addition, candidates for this scholarship must demonstrate their role in community service and/or a service leadership role. Preference for this scholarship will be given to students from historically under-represented minorities in the field of occupational therapy.
• Robert and Sharon Ryan Endowed Scholarship – Amount TBD
  Preference given to under-represented minority students
• The Network for LGBTQIA+ Concerns in OT Endowed Scholarship – Amount TBD
  Member of the local campus Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transgender (LGBT) organization.
• Lela Llorens Endowed Scholarship – Amount TBD
  Candidates who have shown outstanding leadership in the Student Occupational Therapy Association on their campus and as a member of the Black Occupational Therapy Association and/or Caucus on their campus, in their state, or at the national level.

Good Samaritan Foundation – an average of $30,000 annually

To be eligible for any of the awards, applicants must reside or originally be from the 11 counties that Good Samaritan serves.

IHS Scholarships (The Indian Health Service) – TBD

The IHS Scholarship Program 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. 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.

McLeod Scholarships

The purpose of the McLeod Health Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance to students who have been accepted into an approved program of study in an identified healthcare employment area of need. The scholarships available are for tuition only with amounts varying with respect to the area of study. McLeod is recruiting motivated students whose core values align with their own to work at one of eight locations following the completion of their academic program.

Occupational Therapy on Scholarships.com

Over 50 scholarships from various sponsors ranging from $500 – $80,000. Points of interest:

• DAR Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship – $2,000
  awarded to two students who are in financial need and have been accepted or are attending an accredited school of occupational therapy
• Medical Professional Student Scholarship – $10,000
  be currently pursuing an advanced degree in a medical-related field, such as physician, physician assistant, dentist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, APRN, etc.; or be an undergraduate nursing student enrolled in nursing studies. Preference will be given to 1) female applicants, 2) those pursuing careers as physicians or nurses (although all medical majors are welcome to apply), 3) those who demonstrate financial need.
• Allied Health Scholarship – $12,000
  Available to any full-time student who is presently accepted at an accredited school of nursing or other healthcare curriculum offering a course of study leading to licensure as a Practical or Registered Nurse or other health-related classification
• Allina Health EMPOWER Scholarships (Encourage Minority Participation in Occupations with Emphasis on Rehabilitation) – $2,000
  Encourages and supports ethnically diverse students who are pursuing a career in a medical or rehabilitation field. Must be a minority student and a resident of Minnesota or Western Wisconsin

SPARC (Scholarship Program And Recognition Campaign)

Awarded to a PT, OT, SLP, PTA or OTA student currently enrolled in an accredited therapy program and within 12 months of graduation.

Truman Scholarship – $30,000

Available to graduate students who have an extensive record of community/public service and a commitment to a career in the nonprofit and advocacy sectors after graduating. To be eligible, you must first be nominated by a Faculty Rep at your school, and you’ll need to provide three letters of recommendation and transcripts. Financial need is not a consideration for this scholarship.