VOTA is Virginia's leading organization for occupational therapy practitioners and students. VOTA is committed to advocating for and further developing the profession of occupational therapy in our state.

VOTA Scholarship Program
Each year during our fall conference, VOTA awards deserving OT and OTA students with funds to support their educational endeavors. Students must be VOTA student members in Virginia-based OT programs in their first year of OT school to apply for funds for their second year.


Awards Available
Award amounts are commensurate with our fundraising goals. 


The OT Graduate Award is awarded annually to an entry level graduate occupational therapy student, enrolled at a program within the Commonwealth of Virginia. This scholarship is based on scholarly, leadership, and humanitarian qualities that OT students bring to their future profession. Requirements include: student application, a student essay, faculty endorsement, and at least one faculty letter of support/recommendation.


The Centennial Award is awarded to an entry level graduate occupational therapy student/occupational therapy assistant student, enrolled at a program within the Commonwealth of Virginia. This scholarship is awarded based on the student’s scholarship, leadership and qualities consistent with the promotion of the profession for the next century of practice.  Requirements include: student application, a student essay, faculty endorsement, and at least one faculty letter of support/recommendation.


The OT Assistant Student Award is given annually to a student enrolled in any Occupational Therapy Assistant Program within the Commonwealth of Virginia. This scholarship is based on scholarly, leadership, and humanitarian qualities that OT students bring to their future profession. Requirements include a student essay, faculty endorsement, and at least one faculty letter of support/recommendation.


Barbara Howard Memorial Scholarship: Barbara Howard’s commitment to excellence was exemplified in both her professional and private lives. She maintained a quality of life that was an example for all who had the good fortune to know her. Barbara believed that physical and emotional challenges were opportunities to strive for quality of life. She derived her greatest satisfaction when her technical expertise and human relations skills combined to enhance the quality of life for those with whom she interacted. Those who knew her admired her compassion and organizational ability. Whether she was communicating with her client, a professional cohort, family, or close friend Barbara exhibited a warmth and genuine concern for the well-being of others. She shared her time and her knowledge freely. Her active participation in local, state, and national OT associations was indicative of the commitment she had to her profession. Barbara never rested on her success. She actively sought more knowledge to enhance her ability as an Occupational Therapist. She continually achieved her goals and set new ones in order to provide her clients with the quality services she believed they deserved. Barbara Howard chose to live and to work by a value system which put the emphasis on “Living with Dignity” and she made the best of any situation. She was committed to attracting the best and brightest OTs to the Tidewater area. She established a fund to provide $400 scholarships to students with an added a $100 bonus to those scholarship recipients who chose to work in the Tidewater area upon graduation.


Practitioner Awards
Each year during our fall conference, VOTA recognizes deserving OT practitioners for their contributions to our profession. Nominees must be VOTA members.


VOTA OT/OTA AWARD OF MERIT is the highest honor given by VOTA, aimed at recognizing OTs/OTAs who have made outstanding contributions to occupational therapy scholarship and practice. Recipients of this award should be a licensed OT/OTA in good standing with VOTA and one who has made a contribution to occupational therapy in areas such as research, education, and/or professional practice. Please describe their contribution to occupational therapy in the above categories. Individuals nominating persons for the award of merit are asked to complete a one-page nomination form and attach a letter of support. You may use additional pages as needed to justify this award. Additional letters of support may be attached separately. All documents should be sent in electronic format to  noms.awards.vota@gmail.com.


VOTA OTA/OT PARTNERSHIP AWARD is designed to recognize an OTA and an OT who have worked closely together to make a significant contribution to the profession of occupational therapy in areas such as research, education, and/or professional practice. Nominees should be licensed and members in good standing with VOTA. Individuals nominating persons for this award are asked to describe their colleague’s contribution to occupational therapy and complete the nomination form. Additional letters of support may be attached separately. All documents should be sent in electronic format to  noms.awards.vota@gmail.com

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