SMU Giving Days 2025 is over, but you can still support students. Click here to give.
Occupational Therapy Program

Occupational therapists (OTs) help patients regain independence, enhance functional abilities, and improve overall quality of life. Whether they aim to assist children with developmental delays, support adults recovering from injuries, or aid seniors in maintaining independence, Occupational therapists have the opportunity to make a compassionate, innovative, and meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Uplift Tomorrow's Leaders in Occupational Therapy

Your gift goes directly to scholarship funds help to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses for students in either the Master of Occupational Therapy or the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy programs at SMU. These funds enable SMU students to focus more on their education and less on holding down a job or taking out student loans.

In the words of a student:

"Thank you for supporting me in following my dreams and making day-to-day expenses less stressful. This award will go towards my tuition, easing the weight of my education loans. I truly appreciate your support. I’m proud to attend Samuel Merritt University, especially because of our commitment to promoting health equity. I hope to make occupational therapy more accessible to marginalized communities throughout my career." 

- DOT '27 Student and Scholarship Recipient

2
Match
Occupational Therapy Scholarship Dollar-for-Dollar Match
Thanks to our donor match challenge, all gifts made to support OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY students will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000.
Completed
$15,000
SMU New Oakland Campus Challenge
MIDNIGHT DEADLINE: One of our generous Board of Regents is challenging us to reach 100 donors! If we reach 100 donors before 11:59pm on May 14th, we will unlock a $15,000 donation to benefit our new New Oakland Campus.
Completed
$10,000
Borgeson Family Strong Start Challenge
5:00PM DEADLINE: Our generous supporters Gerry (DIP ’68, Nursing) and Phil Borgeson are challenging us to give early! If we reach 50 donors before 5:00pm on May 13th, we will unlock a $10,000 donation to benefit student scholarship this year.
50 / 50 Gifts
Completed
$5,000
MIDNIGHT DEADLINE: Final Push Challenge (All Programs)
An anonymous donor is encouraging us all to give by surpassing the 135 gifts raised in 2024's Giving Days. If we pass 135 gifts we will unlock an additional $5,000! Let’s uplift students together!
Completed
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Or you can contact us at giving@samuelmerritt.edu.