Des Moines University Scholarships
Academic Merit Scholarship
For entering first year students, scholarships will be distributed based on academic record and professional promise. No application is necessary for this scholarship. Students with renewable scholarships must maintain the specific criteria in their scholarship letter. If at any point a student fails to maintain eligibility, they will no longer receive the scholarship for future years.
Willie Stevenson and Luther T. Glanton Scholarship
Established to recognize the contributions of the late Judge Luther T. Glanton and W. Stevenson Glanton to Des Moines University and the Des Moines community, the Glanton Scholarship assists students with professional and academic promise in attending the university. The Glanton Scholarship requires eligible recipients to demonstrate financial need, which is determined by a valid FAFSA on an annual basis.
Outside Scholarships
AAUW
Pursuing academic work or leading community projects? See if there is an AAUW fellowship or grant that matches your academic or professional goals! Visit their website for current fellowship and grant information.
Advanced Travel Therapy Scholarship
Advanced Travel Therapy is a travel therapy company that offers two $5,000 scholarships annually to OT students (and PT 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. Visit their website for more information.
American Academy of CPR and First Aid “Save a Life” Scholarship
This $1,500 scholarship is awarded twice per year: once in the spring and once in the 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 healthcare professionals. For more information, please click here.
American Association on Health & Disability “AAHD” Fredrick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
This Scholarship is awarded annually to deserving students with a disability who are pursuing undergraduate/graduate studies (must be at least enrolled as a sophomore in college) in an accredited university and who are pursuing studies related to the health and disability, to include, but 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. Visit AAHD for more information.
AMBUCS
Since 1955, National AMBUCS, Inc. has been awarding 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. There is one two-year award in the amount of $6,000. Visit ambucs.org for more information.
The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)
The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) 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. Visit www.aotf.org for eligibility requirements and more information. Available scholarships listed here.
AOTA E.K. Wise Scholarship
The fund for the E. K. Wise scholarship was established in the 1960s through the generous bequest of Elizabeth K. Wise and supports students pursuing an entry-level occupational therapy (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) degree from diverse backgrounds. Yearly, three awards will be granted in the amount of $2,500. Students may apply for a second year. Applications will open February 2023. More information here.
AOTA Scholarship Sources
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) identifies scholarships for occupational therapy students and for the general student population. See here.
Arthur W. Pense Scholarship
This $3,000 scholarship for physical or occupational therapy degree program students is paid in two installments of $1,500 per semester. The funds must be claimed within a four-year period from the time the scholarship is awarded. One scholarship is presented annually. Learn more about this scholarship here.
AvaCare Medical Scholarship
The AvaCare Medical Scholarship recognizes those who are working to better the lives of our customers, students who are pursuing a degree in the medical field, with a prize of $1000 toward college tuition. This scholarship is awarded annually to one submission that tells about an inspiring act of kindness. Find more information here.
Brown Mae Foundation
This scholarship is for current college or graduate students who are interested in pursuing a healthcare career (e.g., medical, allied health or nursing). Applications for the 2023 scholarships will be available February 2023. Find out more by clicking this link.
Chicago Occupational Therapy Scholarship Healthcare Scholarship
The Chicago Occupational Therapy scholarship is administered through the Chicago Occupational Therapy pediatric clinic (the amount is TBD). To be eligible, applicants must attend an OT school in or be from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, or Wisconsin, and be committed to work in a pediatric private practice setting after graduation. For more information, please visit their website.
DAR Healthcare Scholarships
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers multiple healthcare-specific scholarships for students with financial needs attending or planning to attend OT school. These include annual scholarships of either $2,000 and $5,000 depending on the scholarship.
Students do not have to be a DAR member or related to a DAR member to receive these scholarships. For more information, please visit their website.
Des Moines Women’s Club Scholarships
The DMWC annually awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, college students, and students pursuing higher education degrees. Check it out here.
Dr. Gary Kielhofner Doctoral Research Scholarship
The Dr. Gary Kielhofner Doctoral Research Scholarship in Occupational Therapy is a research scholarship of $5,000 granted to one applicant annually. Applicants need to be an occupational therapist enrolled in a research doctoral program (OTD, PhD, ScD, or DrPH) with all coursework completed except for the dissertation. The dissertation research plan must have IRB approval and be approved by a faculty member. Click here to apply.
F.A. Davis Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to persons currently pursuing one of the following degrees or certifications: LPN/LVN, RN, BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP, OT, OTA, OTD, PT, PTA, DPT, MLS, MLT, AT, MA, PA, CST, Respiratory Therapy, or comparable health science specialty. For more information, click this link.
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Scholarship Opportunities
For a full list of scholarship opportunities, click on this link.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and several federal and state agencies. HOSA’s mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. To find out about the scholarships offered by HOSA and their partners, click on this link.
HIE Help Center Scholarship for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Students
The HIE Help Center will award one annual scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student who plans to pursue a career in physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Applications are reviewed once a year. The scholarship will be awarded to a single applicant who meets the specific criteria and has submitted all required application materials outlined below by the deadline. For more information, please click here.
Indian Health Service Scholarship (IHS)
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. For this program, there are service obligations and pay-back requirements that the recipient incurs upon acceptance of the scholarship funding. Visit www.ihs.gov for application and more information.
Laura Bassi Scholarship
The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed, within their disciplines. The scholarships are open to every discipline and are awarded three times per year: December, April, and August. Learn more here.
Medical Field Careers Healthcare Scholarship
Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship
Medical Scrubs Collection is dedicated to recognizing the individuals who go above and beyond to help others every day. To show our appreciation for these hard-working individuals, MSC has decided to Pay it Forward by creating an annual scholarship opportunity for students studying in any health or medical-related field. MSC’s scholarship will provide each applicant with a chance to win $1000 towards their college tuition by answering one question: What inspired you to pursue a career in helping others? For more information, click here.
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
This $1,500 scholarship is awarded to a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, participation and leadership in school activities and work experience, and interest in pursuing a career in the health and fitness related fields. The student may apply and use the money for education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, and board. The scholarship is sponsored by Michael Moody Fitness. For more information, click here.
Murse World Scholarship
Murse World would like to acknowledge medical students who want to help others heal and feel their best with an annual scholarship opportunity. College students who are studying in any field within the realm of the medical or health world, are encouraged to apply. This scholarship will grant each applicant a chance to earn $1000 towards their college tuition by answering the following question: How do you plan on making the world a better place through your future career? For more information, click here.
PEO
The P.E.O. Sisterhood maintains six educational projects in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. For more information, visit here.
Pilot International Scholarships
The Pilot International Founders Fund offers five scholarship programs for graduate and undergraduate students going into careers of service, which include “Supporting those who care for others” and “Encouraging brain safety and health,” (both very applicable to occupational therapy). Scholarship amounts vary. For more information, click here.
Rehabmart Scholarship Program
Scholarship fund for students with disabilities, students studying health science, or special needs education. **If this is paused, keep checking back on this link.
Samer Habbas and Associates Annual Scholarship
For more details on how to apply for the $2500 scholarship, eligibility, and the requirements, please click here.
SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship
A $1500 scholarship will be given annually to a selected college student that currently cares for an aging loved one, works within the senior community, or intends to pursue a career that will have an impact on the elder population. For more information, click here.
The Tylenol Scholarship Fund
Each year the makers of TYLENOL® award annual scholarships to well deserving students pursuing careers in healthcare. Twenty-three years and over eight million dollars later, Tylenol is proud to continue a tradition that supports those dedicated to a lifetime of caring for others. For more information visit tylenol.com.
Loan Repayment Programs
Health Care Professional Recruitment Program (HPRP)
Up to $100,000 of student debt reduction in return for four years of practice in an Iowa shortage area or medically underserved community. Learn more about this program.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program (IHS)
Provided by the Indian Health Service. 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. Learn more about this program.