Scholarships and grants

OT scholarships, grants, and funding paths worth checking first.

Occupational therapy school can be expensive. Start with OT-specific scholarships, then ask each program about internal aid, fieldwork travel costs, assistantships, and state association awards.

OT studentsOTA studentsGraduate aidProgram cost

Funding strategy

Use scholarships as one part of the school-value decision.

A strong award can reduce borrowing, but the best financial choice still depends on total tuition, required fees, supplies, fieldwork travel, graduation timeline, and the local job market after school.

Compare public OT value Cost and debt guide

5 funding sourcesOT-specific or therapy-specific opportunities with public sponsor pages and practical eligibility notes.

Scholarship finder

OT and OTA scholarships to check first

Each opportunity has different rules. Confirm the current cycle, award amount, service obligation, and required documents on the sponsor page before applying.

AOTA

E. K. Wise Scholarship

Students who can show leadership, community contribution, and a clear commitment to a diverse OT workforce.

Typical award: Three $2,500 awards
Who should check it: Entry-level OT and OTA students from diverse backgrounds
Timing note: 2026 application window closed March 10

Entry-level OT or OTA enrollment
AOTA membership and program eligibility
Leadership, service, and diversity-focused application materials

Open sponsor page

American Occupational Therapy Foundation

AOTF Educational Scholarships

Students who want one application to screen them for national and state OT scholarship opportunities.

Typical award: $150 to $5,000 across 50+ awards
Who should check it: Students in AOTA-accredited or developing OT and OTA programs
Timing note: 2026 application window closed February 20

Enrollment in an eligible OT or OTA program
Academic, service, leadership, and recommendation materials
State association eligibility for some awards

Open sponsor page

National AMBUCS

AMBUCS Scholarships for Therapists

Graduate OT students with financial need, service history, and a strong case for community impact.

Typical award: Award amounts vary by cycle
Who should check it: Graduate-level OT, PT, speech-language pathology, and audiology students
Timing note: Annual application cycle; verify the current deadline

U.S. citizenship
Acceptance into an accredited graduate-level therapy program
Financial need, career goals, community commitment, and character review

Open sponsor page

Daughters of the American Revolution

Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship

Students with financial need who already have an acceptance letter or enrollment transcript.

Typical award: $5,000 listed on the DAR scholarship portal
Who should check it: Students accepted to or enrolled in an accredited OT or PT program
Timing note: January 31, 2026 listed deadline

Financial need
Acceptance or enrollment proof
Accredited occupational or physical therapy school

Open sponsor page

New York City Department of Education

Jose P. OT/PT Scholarship Program

Students who want school-based practice and are comfortable reviewing service obligations before accepting funding.

Typical award: Tuition support tied to NYC school employment requirements
Who should check it: OT and PT students in later professional study at participating colleges
Timing note: Application timing varies by NYC DOE cycle

Professional OT or PT study at a participating school
Interview, academic record, writing sample, and references
Employment commitment terms set by NYC DOE

Open sponsor page

Before you apply

Build a stronger funding shortlist

The fastest way to waste scholarship time is applying to awards that do not fit your credential, location, or program status.

Confirm the credential

Some awards support OT and OTA students, while others only support graduate-level OT students. Check this before spending time on essays.

Verify the current deadline

Scholarship cycles change. Treat the dates here as a starting point and confirm the open window on the sponsor page.

Calculate total program cost

Scholarships help, but fees, supplies, fieldwork travel, lost work time, and relocation can change the real cost of a program.

Ask schools about internal aid

Program-specific assistantships, graduate grants, state association awards, and alumni scholarships can be easier to win than national awards.