Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition

The University of Florida offers one of the highest quality, most affordable graduate education experiences in the country today. The cost of living in Gainesville is also relatively low, while having much to offer in the way of attractive natural, cultural and recreational amenities.

Financial Aid

Applications and eligibility requirements for financial aid can be found at the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) site. The University of Florida code for the FAFSA is 001535.

Please direct questions concerning Financial Aid, including federal or private loan eligibility, or financial aid processing questions or concerns, to:

UF Student Financial Aid (SFA) Office

352-392-1275

Scholarships

The Department of Occupational Therapy has several scholarships available to enrolled students.

Alice C. Jantzen Fellowship

This award was established in recognition of Dr. Alice C. Jantzen who founded the Department of Occupational Therapy, and throughout her 18 years here, chaired a program reputed for excellence. The award is funded by Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Gwin, Jr. Mrs. Gwin is an alumna of the University of Florida Department of Occupational Therapy. Support graduate fellowships in the Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions; annual award shall be given to deserving students who portray exemplary leadership and academic excellence. The award is given in the first semester of the program.

Margaret Clare Shoemyen Graduate Fund

This award honors Margaret Clare Shoemyen, OT who is the former Chief of Staff of the Department of Occupational Therapy’s clinical services at Shands Hospital. Ms. Shoemyen developed the Shoemyen Diagnostic Battery as a psychiatric assessment tool for occupational therapists. This award is funded by Mr. and Mrs. John L. Shermyen to support doctor of occupational therapy fellowships in the Department of Occupational Therapy. The annual award assists an incoming student to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program who has potential to contribute to the science of OT practice and for leadership in the profession. The award is given in the first semester of the program.

Florida Elks Club Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Florida Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. The Elks Children’s Therapy Program brings mobile, in-home therapy services to children across the state. The 400-acre Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla builds character while simultaneously inspiring Florida’s youth by teaching respect and responsibility.

This is an annual scholarship award of $500 for a student planning to complete a fieldwork rotation in pediatrics. The applicant’s statement should be a one-page essay that addresses reasons for choosing to complete a pediatric rotation and addresses the impact of the experience on their career plans. Students may apply for this award during the spring semester of their second year in the program.

The Judie Pink-Goldin Award

The fund was endowed in Honor of Judie Pink-Goldin, OTR by her family and friends. Ms. Pink-Goldin was graduate of this program and long career occupational therapist at the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital in Tampa. This is a one-time memorial scholarship award. Criteria: The recipient has overcome or experienced significant adversity in his/her lifetime; such experience should be reflected in the application statement for the award. Students may apply for this award during the spring semester of their second year in the program.

The Kay Walker Fund Award

This fund was endowed in Honor of Kay F. Walker, PHD, OTR, Dr. Walker was the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy from 1984 to 2000. She was known for unwavering and inclusive support of student and faculty. This scholarship is funded by Frank Gainer, OTR/L, FAOTA, a graduate of the University of Florida Occupational Therapy Program, in honor of Kay F. Walker, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, the former Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy.

This is a one-time scholarship award. Criteria: A gay/lesbian or bisexual student OR a student that has a significant history of active support for gay/lesbian or bisexual community programs OR a student with history of active military service. Such experiences shall be reflected in the application statement for the award. Students may apply for this award during the spring semester of their second year in the program.

Jan Z. Olsen OT Scholarship Fund

Jan Z. Olsen is an alumna of the University of Florida’s Occupational Therapy Program. Ms. Olsen developed the Handwriting Without Tears program in 1977 in order to make handwriting easier for her son, John. The program has become well known since then. She has led the Handwriting Without Tears company for over 3 decades. Over 3 million students have learned to write using Handwriting Without Tears. In 2018, Handwriting Without Tears was rebranded as Learning Without Tears with a mission is “to make learning and teaching easy and fun by providing superior, award-winning educational products, professional development training, teaching tools, and resources to educators and families.” Ms. Olsen is now retired and wishes to give back to the University of Florida through a generous donation for student scholarships.

Criteria: This is a one-time award to be used exclusively to provide scholarships to support Occupational Therapy student(s). Current OTD students who meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible to apply: (1) is a first generation college student, (2) has actively worked to overcome educational, social, or family disadvantages, (3) has demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion and/or (4) has demonstrated academic merit and leadership potential.