Academic Catalog > Tuition and Scholarships > College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation > Occupational Therapy Scholarships

Occupational Therapy Scholarships

External Scholarships

AMBUCS

Since 1955, National AMBUCS^™, Inc. has been awarding scholarships to therapy students in their junior/senior year in a bachelor’s degree program, or a graduate program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree. To date, more than $7.7 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 4,000 students pursuing degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and audiology.

Students must be accepted in an accredited program by the appropriate health therapy profession authority in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and hearing audiology. Assistant programs are not eligible. Awards are based on financial need, US citizenship, commitment to local community, demonstrated academic accomplishment, character for compassion and integrity, and career objectives.

National AMBUCS^™, Inc. accepts applications from February 1 until April 15 annually.

American Occupational Therapy Association

• AOTA E.K. Wise Scholarship: Building a Diverse Occupational Therapy Workforce: Previously known as the E.K. Wise Loan Program, the fund was established in the 1960s through the bequest of Elizabeth K. Wise to support women pursuing higher education degrees. The scholarship fund reflects the changes that have occurred in the education of entry-level occupational therapists over the last several decades while remaining true to the intent of the original bequest. The focus of the scholarship will be to support 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.

  The scholarship supports female students pursuing a post baccalaureate entry-level degree program in occupational therapy. Two awards will be granted annually in the amount of $5,000. Students may apply for a second year.

  Qualified Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled (or accepted) in a post baccalaureate entry-level occupational therapy educational program on a full-time basis
  • Be enrolled in the entry-level occupational therapy educational program for the full academic year
  • Demonstrate a sustained record of outstanding academic achievement
  • Demonstrate leadership and community service
  • Able to contribute to a diverse workforce
  • Be a member of AOTA
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation

More than 50 scholarships are available this year from AOTF and its collaboration with state occupational therapy associations. The scholarships range in value from $150 to $5,000. Applicants must be currently enrolled full time in either a professional occupational therapy educational program or an occupational therapy assistant program and must meet all eligibility requirements.

Qualified applicants must:

• For post-baccalaureate scholarships, this must be the first degree in Occupational Therapy;
• Have a sustained record of outstanding scholastic achievement;
• Supply application data including: (1) Two references and (2) Program Director's statement;
• Applicants for post-baccalaureate scholarships must be enrolled at the professional level (Master's or OTD) in an accredited or developing Occupational Therapy educational program and have completed one full year of Occupational Therapy coursework.

Daughters of the American Revolution National Society

• The Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to students who are in financial need and have been accepted or are attending an accredited school of occupational therapy (including art, music, or physical therapy).

  The DAR Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, sex or national origin. All multi-year scholarships, typically renewable up to four years, must be for consecutive years of attendance at an accredited college or university in the United States. All applicants must be citizens of the United States and must attend or plan to attend an accredited college or university in the United States. DAR chapter sponsorship is not required; however, a chapter or state chairman may work with the applicant to put the information together to send to the DAR Scholarship Committee.

• Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Foundation: Each year the Scholarship Committee accepts applications from Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) student members who are enrolled in an accredited OT education program. Details about application procedures are available late fall each year. Winners are announced in the spring and scholarships are presented during the awards ceremony during our annual conference.

  Scholarships are available only to POTA student members who are enrolled full-time in an entry-level occupational therapy education program (either OTA or OTR). A letter of support and verification of your cumulative GPA from the OT Education Program Director is required, along with two confidential reference letters. These letters need to be printed on letterhead, signed and sent via email to scholarship@pota.org.