Occupational Therapy Scholarships with 2025 Deadlines

If you’re an aspiring occupational therapist looking for ways to finance your education, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a helpful guide that provides tips, application steps, and a list of occupational therapy scholarships.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or are already in a program, there are a variety of scholarships, grants, and loan repayment opportunities available to help reduce the cost of your education. With so many options, it's helpful to narrow down those that are relevant to you.

Here at Bold.org, a leading scholarship platform dedicated to connecting students with funding opportunities, we have an insider's look into scholarships. Alongside offering our own exclusive occupational therapy scholarships, we've researched the best national and local resources to fund your program! Let’s get started on finding the support that works best for you!

To unlock exclusive scholarship opportunities, create a free applicant profile on Bold.org and start applying today!

Best Occupational Therapy Scholarships

We've highlighted some of the most relevant and impactful occupational therapy scholarships below. You can also view more Bold.org scholarship opportunities and apply for any you are eligible for.

1. Healthcare Scholarships

These healthcare scholarships are perfect for occupational therapy students. They encompass the general field of healthcare, which can include majors such as occupational therapy, nursing, or pharmacy. Since they're more general, you don't necessarily have to be pursuing a graduate-level degree to apply!

2. Medical School Scholarships

Most occupational therapy careers will require either a master's degree or doctoral degree. Applying to these medical school scholarships can not only help you fund your graduate program, but also open you up to many networking and career opportunities.

3. College Senior Scholarships

On the other hand, if you're just finishing up an undergraduate degree and are looking towards an advanced occupational therapy degree program, these top college senior scholarships can ease the financial anxiety that comes with post-grad planning.

Occupational Therapy Scholarships by Major

1. Physical Therapy Scholarships

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are similar fields with multiple points of overlap. Training in both fields can improve your employability and make you a more skilled occupational therapist.

2. Public Health Scholarships

Occupational therapy students will study a variety of majors in their undergraduate and even graduate-level degrees. A general public health degree could help broaden the types of jobs you can apply for after graduating.

3. Physician Assistant Scholarships

OT can be a useful background for students who want to become physician assistants. See how you can use your training to help practicing physicians with these scholarships.

4. Biology Scholarships

Even within occupational therapy, there are many jobs that someone could fulfill, from research to clinical practice to medical assistantship. Science-specific majors like biology can help you fit into research niches within occupational therapy.

5. Chemistry Scholarships

Applying to major-based scholarships can support your education with more consideration for your specific program. Depending on what you want to pursue after your OT degree, chemistry could be helpful.

Stand-Alone Occupational Therapy Scholarships

1. AMN Healthcare Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000

AMN Healthcare offers two $5,000 scholarships every year to OT grad students (and PT or SLP students). With such a major cash award on the line, applicants should be prepared to write a 3,500-word essay reflecting on their personal experience with their field of study and how it shaped their personal and professional goals.

2. HIE Help Center Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000

The HIE Help Center is an organization dedicated to providing informational resources for families of children with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In line with their mission, they offer one annual scholarship to any undergraduate or graduate occupational therapist student enrolled in OT, PT, or ST. Occupational therapy assistants enrolled in relevant occupational therapy assistant programs are also eligible!

3. DAR Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship

Award Amount: $5,000

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers a variety of scholarships for medical, nursing, and occupational/physical therapy students. For OT and PT students specifically, this DAR occupational/physical therapy scholarship is awarded to those with financial needs enrolled in an accredited program.

Don't forget to check out our list of the top merit scholarships for students this year!

Stand-Alone Healthcare and Service-Based Scholarships

1. Pilot International Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,500

Pilot International offers unique scholarships for graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students. Eligible applicants must be pursuing a field that furthers Pilot International's mission. Common attributes of majors that fulfill this requirement include:

1. working with youth and young adults in leadership and development
2. helping people and encouraging brain safety and health
3. caring for families during times of need

2. Truman Scholarship

Award Amount: Up to $30,000

The Truman Scholarship offers 55-65 annual scholarships to graduate students with an extensive record of community/public service and a commitment to a career in the nonprofit and advocacy sectors after graduating. This scholarship program offers invaluable financial resources for students with a passion for helping others.

3. F.A. Davis Scholarship

The F. A. Davis Publishing Company provides three $1,000 scholarships per academic year to enrolled healthcare students (OTD included). Their mission is branded as shaping the future of nursing & health science education. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and submit a 400-600 word essay on how the scholarship will aid them in their educational and professional goals.

Apply for general STEM scholarships with our exclusive list!

How to Apply for Occupational Therapy Scholarships

Knowing where to begin when applying for scholarships can be challenging. Luckily, we've put together a step-by-step guide on how to apply for scholarships specific to occupational therapy students!

1. Research Available Scholarships – Start by identifying scholarships specifically for OT students. Our list of the top occupational therapy scholarships is the best place to start. If you want more resources, check out professional organizations like the AOTA, state OT associations, student occupational therapy associations, and private foundations.
2. Meet Eligibility Requirements – Carefully review each scholarship’s criteria. Some may require enrollment in an accredited occupational therapy program, a minimum GPA, or documented financial need. Others may focus on leadership experience, clinical interests, or geographic location.
3. Prepare Application Materials – Most OT scholarships require a personal statement, academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and sometimes proof of clinical experience. Tailor your personal statement to highlight your passion for OT, your career goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
4. Secure Strong References – Choose professors, clinical supervisors, or mentors who can speak to your academic achievements and commitment to occupational therapy. Request letters well in advance and provide them with details about the scholarship’s focus.
5. Submit Applications Early – Keep track of deadlines and submit applications ahead of time. Double-check for errors, ensure all required documents are included, and follow the specific submission guidelines.
6. Follow Up & Apply for More – If required, complete interviews or additional steps. Continue applying to multiple scholarships to increase your funding opportunities.

Get more in-depth tips with our comprehensive guide on applying for scholarships!

Tips for Applying for Occupational Therapy Scholarships

Our step-by-step guide can provide a strong framework for you to apply for occupational therapy scholarships with ease. However, to maximize your chances and secure the most funding possible, check out these top tips for students applying to OT scholarships!

1. Apply For Specific Scholarships – There are countless scholarships dedicated to general healthcare disciplines, but your best shot will come from applying for occupational therapy scholarships. The applicant pool will be smaller, and you can emphasize your strengths in the field.
2. Highlight Your OT Specialization Interests – Many scholarships focus on specific OT fields, such as pediatric therapy, gerontology, neurorehabilitation, or assistive technology. Tailor your application to emphasize your interest in a specialized area and how you plan to contribute to the field.
3. Emphasize Hands-On Experience – OT is a hands-on profession, and scholarship committees value real-world experience. If you’ve completed fieldwork, worked as an OT aide, or volunteered in a rehabilitation or special education setting, highlight these experiences with specific examples.
4. Connect with OT Professional Organizations – Many scholarships are available through groups like the AOTA or state OT associations. Joining these organizations can open doors to networking opportunities, mentorship, and funding sources that are often overlooked.
5. Reference Your Knowledge of OT Trends – Demonstrating awareness of evolving OT practices—such as telehealth, holistic wellness approaches, or interdisciplinary collaboration—can help your application stand out as forward-thinking and committed to the occupational therapy profession’s growth.
6. Consider Which State You’re Practicing In - Many states have their own occupational therapy organizations that students can contact for financial aid resources. For example, The North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association offers two scholarships exclusively for North Carolina students, one for an OT degree ($1,000) and one for an OTA ($500).

Another way you can maximize your chances is by mass-applying for no-essay scholarships. Apply for these easy opportunities today!

Additional Resources for Occupational Therapy Scholarships

1. Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program

If you are open to working in underserved areas, loan repayment programs can be an excellent way to finance your OT education. One example of this type of program is the Indian Health Service (IHS) loan repayment program. This program provides up to $40,000 in student loan repayment for healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, in exchange for a two-year service commitment at an IHS or tribal health facility.

2. AOTF Scholarships

Award Amount: $150 - $5,000

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) offers 50 scholarships annually for occupational therapy students enrolled in relevant programs. These scholarships range from a few hundred dollars to $5,000, making them a valuable resource for any student studying occupational therapy.

Some of our top picks for AOTF scholarships include the Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship for students pursuing an associate's degree in occupational therapy and the Mary Will McKenzie Endowed Scholarship for master's degree students.

3. AMBUCS Scholarship for Therapists

Award Amount: $600 - $6,000

The National AMBUCS, originally founded as American Business Clubs, offers multiple yearly scholarships for students pursuing graduate therapy degrees, including occupational therapy. Most scholarships range from $600 to $1,500, but one award provides $6,000 over two years.

Winners are chosen based on their financial need, community service, character, and career goals. In addition to submitting the FAFSA and proof of enrollment, applicants must write a one-page personal statement demonstrating their commitment to professional therapy.

The FAFSA is an essential component of many scholarships. Discover how you can add your university to the FAFSA in this guide!

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