Annual Scholarship

The MiOTA annual student scholarships ($1,500) are awarded to three students on an annual basis: one OT student, one OTA student, and one post-professional student (clinical doctorate or PhD). In order to be considered for these scholarships, the applicant must exhibit leadership qualities and demonstrate a commitment to service and the profession.

Students must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in an accredited occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant program in the state of Michigan (OT/OTA scholarship) OR

be a licensed OT/OTA in the state of Michigan, enrolled in a post-professional higher education degree program, to further their education beyond their initial OT/OTA degree.

• Be a MiOTA member

• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA average

• Be in involved in a student professional organization, participate in activities of your educational institution, or demonstrate community involvement

Scholarship application instructions:

• Complete all sections of the MiOTA Scholarship Application.

• Use only the space provided (250 words or less) to answer application questions.

• Read and sign the bottom of the application on the last page.

• Enclose a copy of your current resume or CV with your application.

• Submissions are open for  the 2025-2026 academic year. Decisions will be made by the end of February 2026

MiOTA Scholarship Application

For questions, please contact the MiOTA office at (517) 267-3918 or email office@miota.org.

Congratulations to our 2025 Student Scholarship Winners!

September Foisy is an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) student at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), set to graduate in the Spring of 2025. She served as the 2024 Secretary of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) at GRCC and appreciated the opportunities it provided to engage with the community.

September is drawn to helping individuals with developmental disabilities achieve greater independence and improve their quality of life. She has previously worked in roles supporting adults with intellectual and developmental differences and is excited to continue building her career in this field.

Deeply grateful for the 2025 OTA Student Scholarship, she is eager to use this support to further her education and pursue her dream of becoming a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant. She is excited to continue learning, growing, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals.

Mandy Moran (she/her) is a second-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student at the University of Michigan-Flint. With a B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University (2008), Mandy’s diverse career journey has taken her across the globe, where she worked with the Peace Corps, Habitat for Humanity, and led Gap Year programs for Carpe Diem Education and Rustic Pathways. These experiences not only shaped her global perspective but also ignited a deep passion for community-focused, service-oriented work.

Discovering OT has been transformative, as its blending of creativity, critical thinking, and client-centered care perfectly align with her skills and values. Currently she serves as Social Events Co-Chair for the Student Occupational Therapy Association, Vice President of Pi Theta Epsilon, and a Graduate Student Research Assistant. In 2024, she had the honor of serving as a Student Ambassador for the annual MiOTA conference, an experience that deepened her sense of community and passion for the profession. 

While she initially entered OT school with a focus on pediatrics, her passion has since evolved toward adult populations. She feels incredibly fortunate to be in a field that encourages her personal and professional growth, allowing her to serve diverse populations across various settings. Committed to refining her clinical expertise within a large hospital system, she is currently exploring fellowship opportunities to expand her skillset. She is enthusiastic about integrating her training as a yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner to provide holistic, well-rounded care for individuals and communities.

Mandy is immensely grateful to be awarded this scholarship and is excited to actively participate in MiOTA’s upcoming conference in October 2025. She hopes to inspire fellow students to take full advantage of every opportunity available, and aspires to be a helpful resource and positive support for others.