Occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT) share similar job duties: to assist those with various disabilities, injuries, or illnesses improve their movement and manage pain through the use of exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment. Both roles are in high demand, offer competitive salaries, and demonstrate strong job growth, in part because of the rise of elderly population in need of their services. Here are 11 scholarships to help you fund your occupational or physical therapy degree:
- Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship is awarded to two 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). Applicants must be an undergraduate student attending a university, four-year college, two-year college, or a vocational-tech school.
Amount awarded: $2,000 - Physical Therapist Scholarship
BrightLife Direct is awarding a scholarship of $1,000 to a full-time student currently enrolled in an occupational therapy, physical therapy (PT), or a physical therapy assistant (PTA) program. All PT and PTA programs must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). All Occupational Therapy programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Amount awarded: $1,000 - OccupationalTherapy.com Scholarship
Applicants must be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an AOTA accredited or developing professional level (master’s or OTD), or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program and have completed at least one year of occupational therapy-specific course work. If you are studying to become an occupational therapy assistant, you must be in your final year to be eligible.
Amount awarded: $5,000 - Minority Scholarship Award
Three scholarships will be awarded annually to minority physical therapy students in their final year of physical therapy education and faculty members pursuing their post-professional doctoral degree. Applicants must attend a U.S. university or two-year college full-time.
Amount awarded: $5,571 - Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
Students may be nominated from physical therapist assistant education programs and physical therapist professional education programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the association. Physical therapist assistant education program students must be enrolled in the final year of study. For physical therapist assistant education programs that have a part-time curriculum, all nominees must be in the final year of the curriculum of that institution.
Amount awarded: $4,200 - National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Endowed Scholarship
Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time and have completed at least one year of occupational therapy-specific coursework in an AOTA accredited or developing post-professional level program, or in an occupational therapy assistant program.
Amount awarded: varies - AMBUCS Scholars-Scholarships for Therapists
Students must be accepted in a graduate-level program that is accredited by the appropriate therapy profession authority in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, or hearing audiology. Awards are based on financial need, commitment to the local community, character for compassion and integrity, and career objectives.
Amount awarded: $500 - Charles Christiansen and Beth Jones Scholarship
Applicants must: (1) be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an AOTA accredited or developing professional level (master’s or OTD) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program; and (2) have completed at least one year of occupational therapy-specific course work. If you are studying to become an occupational therapy assistant, you must be in your final year to be eligible.
Amount awarded: $2,000 - Carlotta Welles Scholarship
A $500 scholarship will be awarded to a student seeking an occupational therapy associate degree at an accredited institution. Applicants must attend a two-year college.
Amount awarded: $500 - Willard and Spackman Scholarship
This award is designed for those studying occupational therapy at an accredited institution full-time. Graduate degree requires a dissertation, special project, or research component.
Amount awarded: $2,000 - WICHE’s Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP)
This program enables students in 10 western states to enroll in selected out-of-state healthcare professional programs when those fields of study are not available at public institutions in their home states. The student’s home state pays a support fee to the admitting school to help cover the cost of the student’s education. Healthcare fields supported include: dentistry, allopathic and osteopathic medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, podiatry, and veterinary medicine.
Amount awarded: $23,823
RELATED: Physical Therapy Degree: Is it the right choice for me?
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