Are you considering a career as an occupational therapist (OT)?
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers multiple scholarships for occupational therapy (OT) students, providing valuable financial support throughout their academic journey. Many of these occupational therapy scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions process, allowing eligible students to reduce tuition costs without submitting a separate application.
OT students may combine institutional scholarships with federal financial aid and external awards to further offset educational expenses and make graduate programs more affordable.
A career as an occupational therapist can be rewarding. Occupational therapy has an impressive job outlook, with a 14% projected increase in demand over the next decade.1
No matter which graduate OT path you choose, financial planning is an essential step in your journey. Whether you are preparing to pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) or a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD), you’ll need to plan for tuition, program fees, required supplies and living expenses during your studies.
It can feel overwhelming, but many occupational therapy students offset graduate education expenses with occupational therapy scholarships and other forms of financial aid. At USAHS, we make financial aid accessible to our students. We’ll give you a brief overview of scholarships for occupational therapy students and federal resources that can help make OT school more affordable.
At USAHS, students have the option to combine institutional scholarships, federal aid, and external awards to create a financial plan that works for them. Considering all student aid options is a great first step in pursuing your OT degree.
Understanding Scholarships vs. Other Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships are just one way students can get financial assistance for graduate school programs. Sometimes, scholarships are grouped with other types of aid, but they differ in important ways.
Scholarships can come from institutions (like USAHS), professional organizations like the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTA), and its affiliate organization, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)2, employers and state or community programs. Because eligibility for federal grants, loans and work-study is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)3, it’s important to submit a FAFSA even if you plan to pursue scholarships.
Scholarships
Occupational therapy scholarships are typically merit-based or criteria-based awards that a student doesn’t have to pay back. They may be given to a student based on academic achievement, leadership, service or other qualifications tied to a specific program or profession.
Grants
A grant is usually a need-based source of aid that does not require repayment.
Loans
A student loan is a source of aid that must be repaid with interest. Federal student loans offer more flexible repayment options than private loans, but they still represent a long-term financial commitment.
Work-Study
Work-study programs provide part-time employment opportunities for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money while in school.
OT Education at USAHS: Where Scholarships and Grants Fit In
At USAHS, our occupational therapy degree pathways are designed to support students in different stages of their professional journey.
USAHS’ Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree is an entry-level program offered in Residential, Hybrid Immersion and Flex formats. Depending on the format you choose, the program usually takes between 1.7 and 2.7 years to complete.*
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
USAHS’ Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is an entry-level doctoral option available in Residential, Hybrid Immersion and Flex formats. Most students complete the OTD program in two to three years, depending on the format they choose.*
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD)
USAHS offers post-professional degrees for licensed occupational therapists seeking an advanced education. Our Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) program supports professional growth at the doctoral level. As with other OT pathways, completion time varies.
USAHS offers scholarships specifically for eligible MOT and OTD students. These institutional scholarships can be applied to tuition and fees and are designed to recognize academic achievement. They’re a great resource for eligible students, and most of them do not require a separate application.
USAHS OT Scholarships and Grants at a Glance
USAHS recognizes that pursuing a graduate degree requires financial planning. We offer a range of scholarships to support students enrolled in occupational therapy programs. These awards are designed to recognize strong academic preparation and, in some cases, leadership potential or professional promise.
For occupational therapy students, key USAHS awards include the OT Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship, the OT Dean’s Scholar and the PPOTD Grant for USAHS MOT Alumni.
One important feature of many USAHS scholarships is that students are automatically considered during the admissions process, which means you won’t need a separate scholarship application. When awarded, scholarships are typically disbursed in equal amounts across each trimester of the program, provided eligibility requirements are maintained.
Additional details about scholarship policies, eligibility and financial aid planning are available through USAHS Admissions and Aid resources.
OT Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship
The OT Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship is designed to recognize strong undergraduate academic performance among students entering occupational therapy programs at USAHS.
This scholarship is typically valued at up to $15,000 over the entire program, although some campuses, such as Miami, may offer awards ranging up to $25,000.** The scholarship applies to eligible OT programs at USAHS and is intended to help offset tuition costs across the duration of the program.
To be considered, applicants generally need an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. While GPA plays a significant role, it is not the sole determining factor. Program type, campus location, term of entry and the timing of the admissions application may also play a role in the award decision. Also, simply meeting the GPA threshold doesn’t guarantee a scholarship, as awards are made as funds are available.
There’s no separate application for the OT Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship. Eligible students are considered automatically during the admissions process. If awarded, the scholarship is usually distributed evenly by trimester throughout the program, provided the student continues to meet eligibility requirements.
OT Dean’s Scholar
The OT Dean’s Scholar program offers financial support and enriched academic opportunities for select occupational therapy students at USAHS. This selective program is designed for students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and potential for leadership and professional impact within the field of occupational therapy.
OT Dean’s Scholar awards may total up to $25,000 over the full program, with funds typically disbursed each trimester evenly. In addition to financial support, OT Dean’s Scholars may receive access to faculty mentorship, research opportunities and more.
Students in the program may explore professional development opportunities related to community service, advocacy, clinical excellence or leadership. OT Dean’s Scholars are also recognized at commencement and through other special acknowledgments during their academic journey. They are invited to participate in the Dean’s Scholar Community Learning Forum, where they can engage in interprofessional discussions with fellow Scholars from across the University’s five campuses in Florida, Texas and California.
Eligibility requires an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.75 or above. Other factors include the timing of the admissions application and additional factors that may vary by campus, program and term of entry. Awards are competitive and offered while funds are available, making early and thoughtful planning an important part of the process. This scholarship is automatically awarded if qualifications are met. No separate scholarship application is required.
PPOTD Grant for USAHS MOT Alumni
If you are already a licensed OT, there are scholarships available to you for post-professional education. USAHS also supports alumni pursuing advanced education through the PPOTD Grant for USAHS MOT Alumni.
This grant provides $2,000*** in funding toward tuition for all USAHS MOT alumni who are admitted and enrolled into the master’s-entry track Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) program. The grant is automatically awarded with no separate application required, and recipients are notified at the time of admission or shortly thereafter.
The PPOTD Grant is designed to help licensed occupational therapists build on their existing education and experience as they advance to the doctoral level. For alumni to continue their professional development without starting a new entry-level program, this grant can help reduce the financial barrier to further education.
External Scholarships for Occupational Therapy Students
In addition to institutional scholarships offered by USAHS, our occupational therapy students may also explore external funding opportunities through professional organizations and state associations.
The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) offers more than 50 scholarships each year for occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students.4,5 Many of these scholarships are supported in partnership with state occupational therapy associations. Award amounts range from about $150 to $5,000, and a single application may qualify students for multiple scholarships.4
Students can explore current opportunities through the AOTF scholarships portal, which outlines eligibility criteria and application timelines.5
In addition, many state occupational therapy associations offer scholarships or participate in regional funding programs. Because opportunities vary by location, students are encouraged to check with their state OT association for available awards.
External scholarships are often used alongside USAHS scholarships and federal aid to help students manage overall educational costs.
Making OT School More Affordable with Scholarships
Graduate-level education can serve as the next step toward advancing your career as an occupational therapist. At USAHS, we offer multiple scholarships that can be combined with other forms of student aid to make your education goals more accessible.
We encourage students to begin exploring scholarship options early, even before applying to OT programs. Strong academic preparation, timely applications and proactive communication with admissions or financial aid teams can help clarify available opportunities.
Remember that scholarships are part of your total financial wellness plan for OT school and graduate studies. When combined with federal aid and budgeting strategies, you can reduce the stress often associated with education and clinical preparation. Get started today by contacting the .
*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
**Scholarship range for the Miami campus is $1,000-$25,000.
***This offer is not a guarantee that all candidates eligible for the offer will be granted acceptance or admission into USAHS. All prospective students will be subject to the same standard admission and registration process when applying to USAHS. The Grant is applicable to tuition only and does not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees. This offer is only valid for eligible new students who enroll and start classes in the above programs at USAHS through 2026 only. Please refer to the Financial Aid webpage for additional information.
FAQs
What scholarships does USAHS offer specifically for OT students?
USAHS offers the OT Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship, the OT Dean’s Scholar program and the PPOTD Grant for USAHS MOT Alumni.
Do I need a separate application for USAHS OT scholarships, or am I considered automatically?
Many USAHS scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions process, meaning a separate scholarship application is often not required.
What GPA do I need to qualify for the OT Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship or OT Dean’s Scholar?
The OT Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship typically requires an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.2. The OT Dean’s Scholar typically requires an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.75.
References:
- “Occupational Therapists: Occupational Outlook Handbook,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),. August 28, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm.
- “The American Occupational Therapy Foundation,” American Occupational Therapy Foundation. (AOTF), 2026 https://www.aotf.org/.
- “2026–27 FAFSA® Form Now Available!,” Federal Student Aid, https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
- “AOTF Scholarships,” American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), 2026, https://www.aotf.org/Scholarships.
- “AOTF Scholarship Program,” American Occupational Therapy Foundation, 2026, https://www.aotf.org/Scholarships/Available-Scholarships/occupationaltherapycom-scholarship.
