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 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia offer scholarships to occupational therapy students through the AOTF Scholarship Program. 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.

If you submitted your application by midnight on Monday, September 30, you now have until October 7 to complete it. Program Director Statements and Professional References are due October 7.

The Scholarship Selection Committee reviews application materials, Program Director Statements, and Professional References in late winter. Scholarship winners will be announced in 2025.

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.

Yes.

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 the accuracy of your application. When you have completed all fields ( (Eligibility, Application Information, OT Institution/School, Scholarships, Essays, Personal References, Attachments, PI Data Sheet, Validate, Signature), ensure all sections are “MARKED AS COMPLETE”. Afterward, click "SUBMIT" by the September 30, 2024 deadline. Once you submit your application, you cannot make any changes. Although you cannot make any changes to the application, your Program Director and Professional References will have access to the Recommendation portion until  September 30, 2024.

IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR PORTION OF THE APPLICATION BY THE SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, 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 240-292-1077.

If you have started taking OT classes, you are eligible, started taking OT classes, you are eligible.