AOTF Scholarships

Are you a full-time student enrolled in an accredited occupational therapy (OT) program? Are you looking for financial support to fuel your academic journey? Look no further—the AOTF Scholarship Program is your opportunity to advance your education and career. With over 50 scholarships available this year, ranging from $150 to $5,000, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) is dedicated to helping students like you succeed.

Why Apply? 

The impact of AOTF scholarships speaks for itself. Over 700 students have received financial awards, easing their path toward becoming future leaders in occupational therapy. These scholarships are available in collaboration with partners NBCOT, OT.COM and state OT associations, making this a national effort to support our profession's growth. Whether pursuing a degree as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, this program is for you.

The AOTF Scholarship Program includes submitting your three references! Applying is simple—with just one application, you’ll automatically be considered for all eligible scholarships.

Important Items To Remember:

If you submitted your application by the deadline of midnight on tbd. No changes will be permitted to online applications once they have been submitted. Please review your application carefully before that time to ensure all answers are accurate and up-to-date, and then click the SUBMIT button.

References (three are required) and Program Directors, Academic and Character references must submit their online forms by tbd.

Applicants are considered for all scholarships for which they qualify but may receive only one scholarship per year.

A complete application will consist of:

1. Applicant contact information, including appropriate membership information.
2. Academic background.
3. Resume including volunteer service, extracurricular activities, honors and awards received, and work experience.
4. Essay questions. The essay provides an opportunity for the Scholarship Selection Committee to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes, an essential part of the application. Please complete it carefully and thoughtfully.
5. AOTF application references: You will need three total references to be completed and submitted by the application deadline. You will need an academic reference, a character reference, and a reference from your OT Program Director. Applications MUST contain all three references by the deadline, or your application will be disqualified.
   1. Academic reference: Enter the name and email address of your academic reference. This information will be used to send your reference the form to complete. This reference should be from a current faculty member or faculty advisor who can speak about your academic ability.
   2. Character reference: Enter the name and email address of your character reference. This information will be used to send your reference the form to complete. This reference should be someone who can speak to your character.

   3. Program Director Reference: Enter the name and email address of your Program Director. This information will be used to send the completed form to your program director for your reference.

      Tips for success in contacting and communicating with your references: Email your references and program directors about your application and the deadline, and look for an e-mail from AOTF with information about completing the reference forms. Including your resume or highlights of your accolades in the e-mail may also be helpful. Within the week of the due date, confirm that your recommendations have been submitted by returning them to your AOTF application. Send your references and/or program director a reminder e-mail if they have not been submitted. If references in the online submission process experience exceptional difficulties, please contact David Robertson at scholarships@aotf.org or 240-292-1077.

6. Signature: In lieu of a signature, by agreeing to the terms and conditions before submitting your application, you are certifying that your application information is accurate and correct, and you are permitting AOTF to obtain a Program Director's Statement and to contact the two (2) individuals named for references. This signature also authorizes AOTF to announce publicly the names and programs of successful applicants and to contact recipients for information that can be used to promote the scholarship program.