Everyday day life comes up with its own twists and turns. The ability of to overcome certain situations depends upon the means that are used. Earning a offline or online degree in Occupational Therapy can be a gateway to a variety of profitable career opportunities, but there is a problem in how people get to that degree. Education is expensive, and for a graduate student, it might not be easy to afford the fee required to pursue education. Thus financial assistance has been made available to graduate students throughout the country as a way to cover the costs associated with university attendance. The financial aid available is either in the form of a grant, a scholarship, a fellowship or a loan. A number of these aids for occupational therapists are listed below:

Katharine Belzer Fellowship: A form of assistance offered by the Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in Indianapolis This allots for a $2,000 to $3,000 fellowship to be awarded to students who have undergone some physical or mental hardship in their lives, the most looked at one being spinal cord injury.

Dr. Carol D. Nathan Fellowship: This is a $500 fellowship offered by the Indiana University Department of Occupational Therapy to students who have worked well in the OT program for a certain amount of time. Students are assessed based on an anonymous scoring method done after application.

American Occupational Therapy Foundation Scholarships:The American Occupational Therapy Foundation offers more than 50 scholarships for students pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy. These range in monetary value from $150 to $5,000, and students can apply for them all with one simple application. There are 21 states who accept this form of aid in their schools.

American Occupational Therapy Foundation Dissertation Research Grant: This program is for graduate students who have a dissertation in compliance with the rules for application. Grants are available in a range of amounts based on need and skill, and all of them are given out to people with a passion for research and a willingness to further their education.

AOTA E.K. Wise Scholarship Fund: This program offers students a chance to participate in a diverse workforce by promoting education. Award is typically given every year by the American Occupational Therapy Association and applications are available on the website.

AOTA Scholarships: The American Occupational Therapy Association has a list of scholarships available for Saga Colleges, St. Louis University, the University of Washington, and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. These are all geared towards students in the Occupational Therapy programs for the schools.

National AMBUCS Scholarship Program: Scholarships here are offered in a student’s junior year of a bachelor program or beyond. Most awards are anywhere from $500 to $1500, though there is a $6000 scholarship available for a two year program. The entire application occurs online, and the program is accepted in most universities nationwide.

Shirley Elings Memorial Scholarship: A $600 scholarship available to Occupational Therapy Assistants who wish to continue their education. Applicants must be members of the Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon and be accepted in an accredited educational program for Occupational Therapy.

Mary Fiorentino Scholarship: This scholarship has a minimum awarded amount of $2000 for post-graduate students in a Occupational Therapy program. Applicants must be members of the American Occupational Therapy Association and show that they have need for financial assistance.

Kappa Delta Phi Scholarship: At least two of these awards are given out at $2000 each. Full time students of four-year universities can apply as long as they are in a medical science or therapy program. There is a Kappa Delta Phi Scholarship that is set up for a two year program as well, but it is only offered to students aiming to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Carolyn Kohn Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is available in the state of New York to students pursuing four year degree programs in occupational therapy from an accredited university. The award amount is $2000 and will be given only to full-time students.

Janice McGraw Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to full-time students in North Carolina who are working towards an Occupational Therapy degree at a four-year university. The award is $1000 at minimum, but it is only available to US citizens.

North
Coast Medical Scholarship: This scholarship is for students who have already received a bachelor’s degree and are continuing studies in Occupational Therapy. The award is $5000 and is offered only to AOTA members who show some form of financial need.

Ohio OTA Rosa Hartsook Scholarship: This Ohio-based scholarship is given out to students in a postgraduate program for the state. These Occupational Therapy students can earn $1000 from the award, but they must be a member of the AOTA. Certification from the NCBOT is also required.

Oppenheimer Scholarship: Post-graduate students that are members of the AOTA can earn $2000 from this award. Applicants must be full-time university attendants, and they must go through an analysis of financial need.

Willard and Spackman Scholarship: Applicants for this application must be members of the American Occupational Therapy Association, but they can receive $2000 in aid from the scholarship. The award is given out based on financial need and academic excellence. Only US citizens can apply.

Florence Wood Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association Scholarship: This is a limited award of $500, and it is only given out to one student in the state of Arkansas. Applicants must be participating in an Occupational Therapy program within the state, and they must show need for the aid given.

Columbia University School of Occupational Therapy Loans: Columbia University in New York has a variety of loans available for its students. Completion of a FAFSA form is required, but after everything has processed, most students can at least seek aid to cover a good portion of school costs. Private loans can also be attained as a means to cover the extra costs.

May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to two students in the Occupational Therapy department at Columbia University. Awards are run on an annual basis and come to $10,000 a piece.

Dorothy M. Catana Magee Scholarship: There are multiple awards given under this name at Columbia University, all of which are $1000. Several students in the Occupational Therapy program can see assistance from this funding every year.

Crane Fund for Widows and Children: Another Ocupational Therapy scholarship at Columbia University, the Crane Fund for Widows and Children provides a $5000 aid to students to apply for every year. There are two recipients on an annual basis.

Private Student Loans : These are readily available for students of most any degree program, and they can be granted through a variety of lenders. Some sites offer quick applications that cover multiple loans so that students don’t have to apply for them individually. Aid is given based on need.

Richard J. McCauley Graduate Fellowship in Occupational Therapy: This fellowship is provided by the Occupational Therapy program at the University of Minnesota. Students can receive money based on the amount donated into the fund, and the awards are given out to applicants within the therapeutic sector of the university.

Borghild Hansen Memorial Fellowship in Occupational Therapy: The University of Minnesota offers this fellowship to students who have shown exemplary admission qualities. It is used as a tool to recruit new students into the Occupational Therapy program.

McCauley, Alumni & Friends Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Graduate Fellowship: This fellowship is allotted by donated funds, which are matched by Richard McCauley. Alumni from the school are the primary donors, though any funds are accepted.

Marie Louise Wales Fellowship Fund: This scholarship is offered to University of Minnesota master’s students who are enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program. More specifically, applicants must show active interest in the therapy of children to be considered for the scholarship.

Rues Scholarship: This scholarship is available at Rockhurst University for students in the Occupational Therapy program. It was established in 2005, and awards are given out every spring. Students are assessed based on grades and financial need, but overall, the most qualified applicants will be the recipients.

McGee Fellowship: This is awarded to University of Washington students in the physical therapy department. The award is $5,000 and it is given out every year. Assessment for the winners is based on both financial need and academic achievement.

Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association: This group provides $1000 scholarships to its members, each one suiting a certain kind of student. Membership also leads to job opportunities that may help pay for parts of school.

Edith and Emanuel Cohen/Evelyn A, Gerstein Memorial Scholarship: This $500 scholarship is awarded to students within the School of Health Professionals at the University of Texas Medical Branch. This scholarship is allotted for students who have shown true ambition in their field and have participated in the Health Care Careers Opportunity Program Early Acceptance Project.

Robert B. King Occupational Therapy Scholars Program: This scholarship is offered by the Occupational Therapy department at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Applicants must be in their first year of occupational therapy studies and be members of the TOTA or AOTA. The scholarship pays for tuition, fees, and books for students, and recipients must complete certain schooling requirements to maintain the awarded amount.

William T. Donoho Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship changes in value yearly, but it is provided for University of Texas Medical Branch students who have gone through extreme financial strains to get to where they are today. Aside from need, applicants must also show drive for their program and be actively involved in the community. Levels of the scholarship are adjusted in $1000 increments.

Edgar and Grace Gnitzinger Scholarship : The University of Texas Medical Branch also offers this scholarship as an aid to Occupational Therapy students. The program allows for second of third year applicants, and those involved must submit an essay for financial approval. A strong academic history is also a must for the aid.

Warm Springs Cornerstone Scholarship in Occupational Therapy: This scholarship is for the University of Texas Medical Branch Department of Occupational Therapy. Aid is given out to students who showcase great academic achievement and a passion for learning as a whole.

Health Careers Foundation: This group offers financial aid opportunities for students in the medical field. Though it is not specific to Occupational Therapy, it provides adequate aid for students who need it most. Each award can hit up to $4000, with an $8000 limit set for the program as a whole.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Professions: This group provides financial aid for students who have some sort of disadvantage from their non-educational past. For example, Occupational Therapy students from low income families can find aid for graduate level programs at accredited universities. Aid given on a case by case basis.

Charles A. Frueauff Foundation: Ithaca College in New York offers this form of aid to students in several programs, including Occupational Therapy. The award is given yearly to students who show exemplary efforts in their chosen field of study.

Arkell Hall Foundation Scholarship: Outstanding Occupational Therapy students at Ithaca College can apply for this scholarship as an assistant to their school financing. Awards are given based on academic excellence and general efforts in schooling.

Susan Brokaw Kimmons Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is only given to Ithaca College students that are in their fifth year of study. These Occupational Therapy students can receive this award based on their financial need and general academic abilities. The scholarship is particularly given out for students with interests in therapy.

Tioga County Home Bureau Scholarship: This scholarship is given out to any student with financial need in the Occupational or Recreational Therapy department at Ithaca College. It should be noted that Recreational students are often chosen over Occupational ones, but not always.

National Rehabilitation Hospital Endowed Scholarship: This Ithaca College scholarship is only given out to graduate students in the Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy or Speech Pathology programs. Applicants must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and they must show a firm grasp of clinical procedures.

Eastern State Hospital Scholarship: This award is given to students who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and are active in their program of study. The amount of the scholarship varies yearly, as does the amount offered. This program is set up for undergraduates in the sector.

Alma S. Boughey Occupational Therapy Scholarship: Western Michigan University offers this scholarship based on a student’s financial need. The award amount varies based on availability, but it is offered strictly to juniors and seniors in the Occupational Therapy degree program. A 3.0 GPA or higher is required.

Don F. Thomas and Jane E. Thomas Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to both full-time and part-time Occupational Therapy students at Western Michigan University. Students can be studying and any level of degree pursuit, but they must display the need for additional financial aid.

The Theresa M. McKee, MS, OTR Occupational Therapy Scholarship : Grand State University offers this $1000 scholarship is only awarded during the first year of a student’s pursuit in Occupational Therapy. Students do not have to show a need for financial aid. They simply need to remain in good standings with the university.

Joseph Broadbent Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to students at the University of Utah in the College of Health. The award is given to the applicant who can best be classified as a minority. A 3.0 GPA is required for application, and students must show the need for the aid. The review board also requests that applicants be active in local Occupational Therapy organizations.

G. Mitchell Morris Scholarship: This is another aid offering from the University of Utah’s College of Health. This scholarship was allotted for students who are active volunteers in their communities. A 3.2 GPA must be withheld for application, and they must show a need for financial aid.

Ronald L. and Dona P. Call: This scholarship is awarded to University of Utah Occupational Therapy students who are in their second or third years in the program. Each applicant must maintain a 3.75 cumulative GPA of 3.75 for this prestigious award.

Eugene D. And Ann O. Wright Family Scholarship: This scholarship is allotted for students who are 25 and above and in pursuit of an Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Utah. These non-traditional applicants must complete some volunteer requirements for the program, and those students with the most financial need are given the highest preference.

Don B. Hutchison Scholarship: In honor of academic excellence, this scholarship is awarded to outstanding students in the Occupational Therapy degree program at the University of Utah. Applicants are assessed based on financial need and academic achievement. A 3.75 GPA must be maintained to receive the scholarship, and financial need still remains in the forefront for scholarship approval.

Additional Resources for Occupational Therapists

In addition to the above mentioned above, you can receive aid from a nation-wide source. The first thing you need to do is fill out a FAFSA application form with the school code for your university. You’ll need your past years tax information to complete all of it. The application will assess your financial status and how it compares for your area. Given that you have a need for aid, your FAFSA will provide you with the opportunity to receive Stafford loans in both subsidized and unsubsidized forms.

You can also learn if you are eligible for any grants, the most common being the Pell Grant. Unlike loans, you don’t have to pay grants back. You simply receive money to go to school. These are usually accepted automatically by your university. You don’t have to accept anything manually. Award amounts vary by state, but they are based on your income and overall expenses. The less you make, the more you earn.

Another resource you have is at a place called Fastweb. By signing up for free on the site, you can gain instant access to a huge database of scholarships. You can browse through a variety of different scholarship options and quickly act on them there. You receive emails every time Fastweb makes an adjustment on the account, giving you even more chances to grow and gain money to continue education.

Occupational Therapy isn’t terribly difficult if you know what to look for. Go online and look for financial aid that suits your needs and location.

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