NO. However, certain scholarships have eligibility requirements involving membership in professional organizations associated with occupational therapy.  The AOTF Scholarship Selection Committee deems that membership in occupational therapy organizations is an indication of student professional development.  See Available Scholarships. To join AOTA click here www.aota.org/membership. 

In 2022, 24 states and the District of Columbia are offering scholarships to occupational therapy students through the AOTF Scholarship Program. Be sure to check your state's offerings and requirements for membership and residence on Available Scholarships.

No. Membership in a state association is not required to receive an AOTF scholarship. However, to be awarded a state scholarship in some states, state occupational therapy association membership is required. Please check the specific requirements on Available Scholarships.

Applications must be submitted online by September 29, 2022.  Program Director Statements and Professional References are due October 27, 2022.

The Scholarship Selection Committee reviews application materials, Program Director Statements and Professional References in late winter. Scholarship winners will be announced April 2023. 

No, scholarships are not renewable. However, recipients may apply next year if they are still enrolled in an accredited educational program.

Just one application.  The Scholarship Selection Committee determines how many scholarships each applicant is eligible for. If there are no qualified applicants for specific scholarships, those scholarships are not awarded.

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.

Tax laws vary by country.  In the United States, scholarship funds used exclusively for the payment of tuition or textbooks are normally not taxable.  The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against your scholarship award.  AOTF does not presume to provide tax information. For tax questions please refer to a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or accredited tax preparer.  You may also counsult IRS Publication 970 for further information (http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421.html). 

Be sure to double check accuracy of your application. When you have completed all fields (Eligibility Quiz, Application Form, Essay, and Resume) ensure all sections are “MARKED AS COMPLETE”. After, be sure to click "SUBMIT" by the September 29, 2022 deadline. Once you submit your application you will not be able to make any changes. Although you will not have access to make any changes to the application your Program Director and Professional References will have access to the Recommendation portion of the application until October 27th.

IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR PORTION OF THE APPLICATION BY THE SEPTEMBER 30TH DEADLINE YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. LATE SUMBISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

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.

Contact scholarships@aotf.org or 240-292-1125.