“Occupational therapists make a significant and positive impact on the quality of life of their clients. In this incredibly rewarding career, you provide services to people of all ages with sensory, cognitive, psychological, and physical difficulties—helping them to develop or regain important life skills. This might mean helping an individual learn to live and thrive independently or assisting someone to return to their daily routine after an injury or surgery"
- Samuel Merritt University, 2022
We Need Your Support
The majority of students in the Occupational Therapy program use loans to cover the cost of tuition and housing during the 2.5-3 year program duration. Upon graduation, loans are promptly ready for repayment. In order to practice as an occupational therapist and earn an income to repay the loans, students must pass The National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
The costs of the NBCOT exams are not covered through our program, the exam is an out-of-pocket expense of $555 per student plus study packs which are an additional $75.
Who You Are Supporting
Our Goal
Our goal is to raise enough money to cover our entire cohort 2023/2024 NBCOT exam and study pack costs, the cohort consists of 55 students composed of both masters and doctoral students.
Our 2023/2024 OT Cohort
Kaila Graham, OTDS
"Hello, I am a third-year doctoral student in the 2023/2024 cohort. From the beginning of our program we are academically prepared through lectures, clinics/labs, and exams for success to pass the NBCOT exam upon graduation; however, the financial burden of our licensing exam can be quite extensive. Having the financial means to help cover additional study materials and the exam itself would allow someone like me to take one less shift and instead spend additional time studying. Passing the NBCOT will allow me to join fellow occupational therapists in working to improve the quality of life of others. Your support is very much appreciated and I thank you in advance."
Cristyn D. Amaral, OTDS
"Hello there! I am a third-year doctoral student representing the 2023/2024 occupational therapy cohort. Pursuing graduate school can be quite expensive, especially for first-generation students like myself. In order to put our skills and knowledge into practice, we need to pass the NBCOT exam. Unfortunately, this exam comes with a high cost that students must pay out of their own pockets. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support in helping us cover the exam fees and study materials. By doing so, you can help alleviate the financial burden on students and enable us to achieve our goals. Your support is incredibly valuable to us, and we deeply appreciate it. Thank you!"
Our 2023/2024 OT Cohort
Help us address this real, often unexpected, financial burden with a gift to the "2023/2024 Cohort NBCOT Examination Relief Fund" this Giving Tuesday.
Equivalent cost of basic study materials for NBCOT Certification Examination
Cover multiple expenses like examination registration fee, costs of basic study materials, and licensing fees
Cover the full cost of the NBCOT Certification Examination and associated expenses for 1 student. Named scholarship opportunity for donor or in the name of donor's loved one