Doctor of Occupational Therapy Scholarships

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Des Moines University Scholarships

Academic Merit and Holistic Scholarships for Incoming Students

Each college’s admissions team annually identifies individuals from the entering class to receive these scholarships, which are funded by endowments in the respective college and Des Moines University. Scholarship recipients are chosen from finalists selected on a basis of their academic and holistic backgrounds. There is no application process as the admissions team determines recipients. Students with renewable scholarships must maintain the specific criteria in their scholarship letter. If a student fails to maintain eligibility at any point, they will no longer receive the scholarship for future years.

Glanton Fund

Established to recognize the contributions of the late Judge Luther T. Glanton and W. Stevenson Glanton to DMU and the Des Moines community, the Glanton Fund assists students with professional and academic promise in attending the university. The Glanton Fund requires eligible recipients to demonstrate financial need, which is determined by a valid FAFSA on an annual basis.

Outside Scholarships

AAUW

Are you pursuing academic work or leading community projects? See if there is an AAUW fellowship or grant that matches your academic or professional goals!

Advanced Travel Therapy Scholarship

Advanced Travel Therapy is a travel therapy company that offers two $5,000 scholarships annually to O.T.D. students (and D.P.T. and SLP students). Applicants and scholarship recipients do not have to work for the company or become travel therapists to get this scholarship. Applications open in January of each year.

American Academy of CPR and First Aid “Save a Life” Scholarship

The $1,500 “Save a Life” Scholarship is awarded annually in the spring and fall. Each $1,500 award will go to a different student, in order to maximize the impact of the scholarship, spread the word of the importance first aid and CPR training and share more stories from future educators and health care professionals.

American Association on Health and Disability Fredrick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability

The American Association on Health and Disability annually awards the Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability to deserving students (sophomore or later) with a disability who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited university related to the health and disability.

Areas of study include, but are not limited to, public health, health promotion, disability studies, disability research, rehabilitation engineering, audiology, disability policy, special education and majors that will impact quality of life of persons with disabilities.

AMBUCS

Since 1955, National AMBUCS, Inc. has awarded scholarships to students pursuing therapy degrees. Students must be US citizens 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 local community, character for compassion and integrity, and career objectives.

Over $200,000 is awarded annually with individual awards ranging from $600 to $1,500, and a single two-year award of $6,000.

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation is a charitable, scientific and educational organization founded in 1965. It serves the public interest by supporting occupational therapy research and increasing public understanding of the important relationship between everyday activities (occupations) and health. The AOTF offers scholarships for full-time students currently enrolled in accredited or developing occupational therapy programs. Over 50 scholarships are available from the AOTF and state occupational therapy associations. Applicants complete only one online form to apply for all qualifying scholarships.

American Occupational Therapy Association E.K. Wise Scholarship

The fund for the American Occupational Therapy Association’s E. K. Wise Scholarship was established in the 1960s through the generous bequest of Elizabeth K. Wise and supports students from diverse backgrounds pursuing entry-level occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant degrees. The fund annually awards three $2,500 scholarships. Students may apply for a second year. Applications open in February each year.

Arthur W. Pense Scholarship

The Arthur W. Pense Scholarship awards one $3,000 scholarship each year to physical or occupational therapy degree program students. Funds are paid in two installments and must be claimed within a four-year period. Applications for this scholarship open each fall.

AvaCare Medical Scholarship

The AvaCare Medical Scholarship recognizes students pursuing medical degrees. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to one submission that tells about an inspiring act of kindness.

Brown Mae Foundation

The Brown Mae Foundation Health Care Scholarship awards college or graduate students pursuing a health care career. Applications for the scholarship are available in February of each year.

Daughters of the American Revolution Health Care Scholarships

Daughters of the American Revolution offers health care-specific scholarships for students attending or planning to attend occupational therapy school. These include annual scholarships of either $2,000 or $5,000. DAR membership is not required to qualify for these scholarships.

Des Moines Women’s Club Scholarships

The Des Moines Women’s Club awards annual scholarships to graduating high school seniors, college students and graduate students.

Dr. Gary Kielhofner Doctoral Research Scholarship

The Dr. Gary Kielhofner Doctoral Research Scholarship in Occupational Therapy awards $5,000 to one applicant each year. Applicants must be be an occupational therapist enrolled in a research doctoral program (O.T.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. or Dr.P.H.) with all coursework completed except for the dissertation. The dissertation research plan must have IRB approval and be approved by a faculty member.

F.A. Davis Scholarships

F.A. Davis scholarships are awarded to persons currently pursuing one of specific health science specialties.

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Scholarship Opportunities

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation offers hundreds of scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Health Occupations Students of America

Health Occupations Students of America is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services and several federal and state agencies. HOSA’s mission is to empower future health professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration and experience.

HIE Help Center Scholarship for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Students

The HIE Help Center awards one annual $1,000 scholarship to undergraduate or graduate students who pursuing careers in physical, occupational or speech therapy.

Indian Health Service Scholarship

The Indian Health Service scholarship program provides financial assistance for American Indian and Alaskan Native (federally recognized only) students enrolled in health professions and allied health professions programs. This program includes service obligations and pay-back requirements that recipients incur upon acceptance of the scholarship funding.

Medical Field Careers Health Care Scholarship

MedicalFieldCareers.com awards an annual scholarship to those interested in studying for a career in the medical field.

Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship

The Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship awards a $1,000 scholarship to the applicant that best answers the question, “What inspired you to pursue a career in helping others?”

Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship awards $1,500 to a high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a career in fields related to health and fitness. Successful candidates demonstrate outstanding achievement, participation and leadership in school activities and work experience. Recipients may use scholarship funds for education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board.

Murse World Scholarship

The Murse World Scholarship presents $1,000 annually to college students studying in medical or health fields. The scholarship is awarded to those who best answer the question, “How do you plan on making the world a better place through your future career?”

PEO International

PEO International provides grants, scholarships, awards and loans to women pursuing higher education.

Rehabmart Scholarship Fund

The Rehabmart Scholarship Fund provides offers scholarships to students with disabilities, health science students or those majoring in special needs education.

Scholarship Program and Recognition Campaign

The SPARC (Scholarship Program And Recognition Campaign) Scholarship is inspired by its namesake and the sense of liveliness and excitement that therapy students and new graduates bring to Ensign-affiliated facilities and in-house therapy programs. With this scholarship program, they are deliberately seeking out those who ignite a desire for excellence in themselves, their patients, colleagues and coworkers.

One student from an applicable program is awarded a $2,000 scholarship each quarter.

SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship

The SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship is awarded annually to a selected college student currently caring for an aging loved one, working within the senior community or pursuing a career that will have an impact on the elder population. 

TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship

Each year the TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Loan Repayment Programs

Health Professional Recruitment Program

DMU’s Health Professional Recruitment Program is an innovative loan repayment program for D.O., D.P.M., D.P.T., O.T.D. and PA graduates, that can reduce student loan debt up to $100,000.

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Provided by the Indian Health Service, the IHS Service Loan Repayment Program contracts with health professionals to provide health care services at an Indian health program site. Student loan debt is reduced by up to $40,000 for each year of service.

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