Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a member of The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to be awarded a scholarship?

YES. See the Availability and Eligibility page. To join AOTA click here www.aota.org/membership,
How many State Associations offer scholarships?

This year 21 states and the District of Columbia are offering scholarships to occupational therapy students through the AOTF Scholarship competition. Be sure to check your state's offerings and requirements for membership and residence on the Availability and Eligibility page.
Do I have to be a member of a State Association to be awarded a scholarship?

No. Membership in a state association is not required to receive an AOTF scholarship. However, to be awarded a state scholarship in some states, membership is required. Please check the specific requirements on the Availability and Eligibility page.
When are scholarships awarded?

The Scholarship Selection Committee reviews application materials, Program Director Statements and references in late Winter. Scholarship winners are announced by April 15 of each year.
Are AOTF scholarships renewable?

No, scholarships are not renewable. However, recipients may apply a second time if they are still enrolled in an accredited educational program.
Do I complete just one application for all of the scholarships that I am eligible for?

Yes, the Scholarship Selection Committee selects recipients for each of the offered scholarships. If there are no qualified applicants for specific scholarships, those scholarships are not awarded.
I am a first year OT student. Am I eligible to apply?

No. Students applying for a scholarship at the post-baccalaureate level must have completed the equivalent of one full-year of Occupational Therapy specific coursework. If you are studying to become an occupational therapy assistant, you must be in your final year to be eligible.
Must I report the scholarship award on my taxes?

According to the IRS Publication 520, entitled Scholarships and Fellowships, scholarships paid to students who are candidates for degrees at accredited educational institutions are tax free. For more information, see that publication. AOTF does not presume to provide tax information. For tax questions please refer to a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or accredited tax preparer.
How do I submit my application?

There is a submit button in the main menu. Once you have completed all the sections of the application, we suggest that you print out a copy and make sure that all the information is accurate. Once you are comfortable that the application is accurate and complete, click the submit button to submit your application. Prior to submitting your application, you can go back to any page and review your answers at any time. You will NOT be able to access your application once it has been submitted.
I am having trouble saving my Essay.

Your "logged in" status will expire or time out after about twenty minutes. At this point, you will be returned to the login screen when you attempt to save the essay. If you are typing the essay into the space provided, you must save it every few minutes, especially if it will take you longer than twenty minutes to type the entire essay. We recommend that you type the essay into NotePad, Wordpad or Word on your computer. Then login to the system, navigate to the essay page and copy and paste the completed essay into the space provided, saving immediately.