The Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences is pleased to offer a wide-range of scholarships to assist our students in achieving their dream of becoming an excellent health care provider.
General Scholarship Application
Additionally, to be considered for other scholarship opportunities please use the link below to create a profile to be considered for other university-wide programmatic scholarships.
Please use the link above to apply for scholarship assistance from the college. Please note, there are also program specific scholarship opportunities available as well. Use the links below to access the applications for those scholarships.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 15
Requirements:
Contact: Professor Nathan Weirich (wnathan@nova.edu) and Anissa Costello (ac1228@nova.edu)
Make the Most of the Dash/Ashley Kaye Hess Changing Lives Scholarship
Overview: This scholarship is provided in memory of Ashley Kaye Hess, who was a treasured part of the NSU SLP student body in 2015-2016. Many people knew and loved Ashley Kaye Hess, a cheerleader, dancer, and NSU speech-language pathology master’s candidate, before she was killed in a tragic car accident on May 14, 2016 at the age of 28.
The award shall be used only to provide tuition assistance toward courses in the NSU MS-SLP program.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 31
Requirements:
Students who apply for this scholarship must be enrolled in the BS-SLP or MS-SLP program and:
Contact Information: Dr. Tambi Braun, CCC/SLP, Associate Professor, (954) 262-7746, tambi@nova.edu
Additional Information: Award will be announced on May 14 each award year
Recipients
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2025 - Eden Pressley |
Eden Pressley was born and raised in Florida, where she developed a lifelong love for the outdoors and nature. She is pursuing a MS degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a special interest in neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injuries, and swallowing disorders. Eden aspires to work in a medical setting, helping individuals regain their communication and swallowing abilities to improve their quality of life. |
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 1 for each new academic year
Requirements:
Contact Information
Barbara Meltzer PhD Physical Therapy Scholarship
College: PPCHCS- Physical Therapy PhD
Background: This scholarship supports Physical Therapy PhD students in the dissertation phase.
Award Amount: Varies based on amount available.
Deadline: Open - Students can apply when their dissertation proposals have been approved by their committee.
Requirements:
Recognition: Scholarship winners will be recognized on the PhD PT student center, the PT PhD website and other social media sites.
Contact Information: Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez, Director PT PhD Program, 954-262-1653, alicfern@nova.edu
Additional Information: The PhD Program Director and/or Advisory Committee will review all requests and make the final selection on the recipients.
College: ESS Scholarship Office (undergraduate) for PPCHCS
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 1
Requirements:
Contact Information
College: ESS Scholarship Office (undergraduate) for PPCHCS
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 1
Requirements:
Contact Information
College: ESS Scholarship Office (undergraduate) for PPCHCS
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 1
Requirements:
Contact Information
Award Amount: Up to $1,000 annually (This amount could go to a single student or could be split amongst multiple students.). The deadline for this scholarship is April 30th annually.
Eligibility: Students who are:
Contact Information
Recipients
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2024 - Jennifer Boling |
Jennifer is a devoted wife and mother to four children ages 13- 9. Originating from Michigan, she has embraced her new community Englewood, FL. With a decade of caregiving experience for the geriatric population, she brings compassion and empathy to every aspect of her life. Whether she is spending time with her family, baking treats, traveling to new places, exploring new beaches, serving at church, and SPTA. Her furry companions a cojack dog and a fluffy cat add an extra layer of love to her household. To the Hybrid Physical Therapy Program – Mary Blackinton committee, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for selecting me as a recipient of this scholarship for physical therapy students. Your support will greatly alleviate the financial burden I'll face when going out for clinicals in the fall, where I won't be able to work during this time. I'm fully committed to honoring your investment by working diligently to achieve my academic and professional goals. I'm genuinely looking forward to the opportunity to work with and serve my future patients. Thank you for this invaluable support. |
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2024 - Alexia Vizcarra Torres |
Alexia currently lives in Tampa, Florida, and is finishing up her final year of the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Nova Southeastern University. Originally from Lima, Peru, she earned her bachelors degree from the University of South Florida. She now serves as the Clinic Coordinator for her programs pro bono committee, Shark Motion. Outside of academics, she enjoys working out, cooking, and hanging out with her friends and family. She looks forward to the opportunities life will present to her as she enters her clinical rotations this upcoming August. She is truly humbled to receive the opportunity to represent the Tampa DPT program through this scholarship and looks forward to embarking her journey as a future doctor of physical therapy. |
Joseph Gonzalez Scholarship Award
Background: In early January, 2002, the speech language community lost a dear friend and colleague when Dr. Joseph Gonzalez, affectionately known as “Dr. G,” suddenly passed away. For many years, Dr. Gonzalez was a professor in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). He was both respected and admired by students and his peers and was a strong proponent of online education. Dr. Gonzalez was instrumental in developing the first class in Technological Application in Communication Science and Disorders for our program and he taught a variety of courses in the curriculum. In his memory, the Nova Southeastern University National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSU-NSSLHA) chapter established this scholarship to be awarded annually to a student in the online program. The award shall be used only to provide tuition assistance towards speech-language pathology courses, excluding fees (i.e., registration), to the College graduate students in the MS-SLP Program who demonstrate superior academic achievement.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1
Requirements:
Contact Information
The recipient will be recognized through an email announcement including a photo to all students and faculty.
Recipients:
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2024 - Sedem Adjewoda |
I'm originally from Queens, NY, born to Ghanaian immigrants. I earned my bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University, in NY, and later pursued a second BA degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Queens College. In terms of academic achievements, I've been recognized for excellence at both Stony Brook University and Queens College, consistently making the Dean's List. Additionally, I've been honored with the Apraxia of Speech Scholarship and received the Excelsior Scholarship for my academic performance and commitment to higher education. Beyond academics, my interests include swimming, rock climbing, traveling, volunteering, and cooking. Notable extracurricular accomplishments include participation in the Weill Cornell Youth Scholars Program, induction into the Honor Society at Queens College, and admission into New York University's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP), designed for students with academic potential in the sciences. I also dedicated my time to volunteering at a local non-profit organization, where I provided free speech therapy and language development activities to children. This practical experience allowed me to directly apply the theories and practices learned in my speech pathology courses. Looking ahead to my clinical goals and areas of interest in SLP, I'm deeply passionate about working with children and adolescents to address various speech and language disorders. These include articulation disorders, language delays, fluency disorders, and developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome. Additionally, I aim to specialize in early intervention services to support infants and toddlers who are at risk for or diagnosed with communication disorders, recognizing the crucial role of early identification and intervention in shaping a child's developmental trajectory. |
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2021 - Mikell Roberts |
Mikell currently lives in Las Vegas, NV, and is finishing up her final year of the MS-SLP program at Nova Southeastern University. Prior to beginning the program, Mikell worked in the non-profit sector for over 5 years, where she organized and managed volunteer programs for individuals of all ages and abilities. She discovered her love for the field of speech-language pathology by interacting with and supporting a variety of volunteers, including individuals with communication disorders. As a current full-time student, Mikell continues to embrace her love for volunteerism by donating her time to a cause she is passionate about, aphasia awareness. She supports an aphasia-focused non-profit by attending online aphasia support groups, empowering individuals with aphasia to share their stories, and helping to raise money for the organization’s mission. Mikell expresses her sincere gratitude for being selected as the Joseph Gonzalez scholarship recipient. She is humbled to be given the opportunity to represent the MS-SLP online program in this way and looks forward to embarking on her journey as a future speech-language pathologist. |
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April Curlee |
It is truly an honor and a privilege to be selected as the recipient for the Joseph Gonzalez Memorial scholarship. I appreciate you for recognizing my hard work and dedication as I am working to enter the field of speech language pathology. I currently work multiple jobs, working long hours to pay tuition independently, without the support of financial aid. This scholarship will alleviate the tuition stress that rolls around every semester. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as I enter clinicals and externships. I appreciate the support that NOVA Southeastern University has provided me. Sincerely, April Curlee With a Bachelors Degree in elementary education, I taught in a public school system for 11 years, teaching 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. During my teaching career I continued my education by completing a Masters in Education, a ED.S in Educational Leadership, an ESOL endorsement and a Educational Supervision. I was nominated for teacher of the year, served as chairman of my grade level, piloted new reading and math software and instructed my coworkers how to implement it and was a teacher representative for special education parent-teacher conferences. I would translate English to Spanish during the conferences and worked closely with the speech language pathologists to secure services for students as needed. This is when I realized that I wanted to do more with and for students to help ensure that they received the appropriate speech services needed. I decided to take a break from teaching and became a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines which provided a more flexible schedule for me to enroll in NSU’s Speech Language Pathology program. I work long hours to pay tuition independently, without the help of financial aid. With only four semesters remaining in the program and full time externships coming up, receiving the Joesph Gonzales Memorial scholarship will help alleviate the stress of tuition payments. Because of my background in elementary education, upon graduation, I would like to work with pediatric and/or student populations. |
William H. Marquardt Community Health / Collaborative Service Initiative (Endowed $250K)
Background: Acknowledgement of outstanding physician assistant students who demonstrate strong advocacy for primary care and community health initiatives.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 31st
Requirements:
Contact Information:
Charlene Bolton, EdD, PA-C; Chair, Physician Assistant Department
(904) 245-8975 cg488@nova.edu.
Additional Information:
Link to application.
Recipients
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Isaac Garlobo graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2020. During his undergraduate studies, he served as the vice president of Medical Mission Abroad (MMA), an organization that empowers college students to establish and operate rural medical clinics in collaboration with doctors in regions such as Puerto Rico, Colombia, Africa, and Indonesia. These experiences have deepened his commitment to providing quality healthcare. Looking ahead, Isaac plans to work in a family medicine practice in Fort Myers, Florida, where he aims to continue his dedication to primary care and improving access to medical services in rural areas. |
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Lukas Davis will soon graduate as a Physician Assistant from Nova Southeastern University- Fort Myers with a strong academic background from the University of Florida in pre-professional biology and nutritional sciences. Lukas' passion for serving the underserved stems from his extensive volunteer work, including tutoring at an after-school program for 1st to 4th grade students throughout his undergraduate education, and life experiences living in several states throughout the Southeastern US and even countries abroad. Upon graduating, Lukas plans to utilize his National Health Service Corps Scholarship to practice primary care in Health Professional Shortage Areas of our local community here in Southwest Florida as he recently accepted a position as an Advanced Practice Provider Float with Lee Community Healthcare working with the uninsured populations of North Fort Myers, Downtown Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres. He is eager to utilize his skills and knowledge to positively impact the lives of those in need, addressing health disparities and promoting health equity. |
Award Amount: Varies - Renewable each year, but students must re-apply each year
Deadline: April 30 for each new academic year
Requirements:
Contact Information
Recipients:
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2023 - Sofia Berroa Fort Lauderdale Campus
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Sofia Berroa is a compassionate and driven Doctor of Occupational Therapy student whose dedication to improving lives has been recognized through NSU scholarships. Because Sofia is resilient, empathetic, and has a strong commitment to service, she is a great example of how pursuing higher education can transform lives. With a passion for empowering others to achieve independence and well-being, Sofia is deeply grateful for the scholarships that have made this journey possible and hopes to inspire future contributions that support aspiring students in reaching their goals. |
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2024 - Mikayla Dunn Fort Lauderdale Campus |
My name is Mikayla Dunn, and I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia. I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in May of 2023 to attend Nova Southeastern University's Occupational Therapy program. As a second-year OT student, NSU has assisted me in developing both academically and professionally. So far, I have had the opportunity to serve as President of the Student Occupational Therapy Association and Interprofessional Representative of the Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences. In addition, I have participated as a member of the Interprofessional Diabetes Education and Awareness team to inform the Broward County community on how Occupational Therapists can assist with Diabetes management alongside other multidisciplinary health professions. I am a firm believer that the best type of education occurs outside of the classroom, and through these positions, I have had the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of community settings, build relationships and understand the value of other healthcare professions within the PCHCS college, advocate for the profession of occupational therapy, and plan and facilitate numerous events for my program and PCHCS. My commitment to the field has been unwavering since I was 12. Even then, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career dedicated to helping others regain their ability to engage in meaningful occupations. I enjoy reading romance novels, going to the beach, creating designs with my Cricut, and working out. As a wellness enthusiast, I hold an L1 CrossFit Certification, which allows me to coach functional fitness classes and assist in managing Fuel Fitness, a local gym in Plantation, Florida. Because I am interested in a variety of settings and populations, I am currently indecisive about which specialty to focus on; however, in the near future, I aspire to open my own practice that combines functional fitness with Occupational Therapy. That being said, I firmly believe that Occupational Therapy is my true calling and while attending NSU this has only strengthened my belief and is bringing me closer to transitioning from a student to a practicing professional by the year of 2026. |
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2024 - Dayeli Magaña Fort Lauderdale Campus |
Hello, My name is Dayeli Magaña, a third-year Occupational Therapy student. During my time in the program, I had the opportunity to join our Student of Occupational Therapy Association as the historian and our Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity club as the treasurer and secretary. Participating in academic and community events has allowed me to connect to my peers, gain knowledge, and expand my cultural humility skills that will benefit me as a future practitioner. I was honored to be chosen as our Keynote Speaker at the transition's ceremony for the Occupational Therapy program where I expanded on the challenges of my upbringing and how they have shaped my journey to belonging academically and professionally. I am thankful for the opportunities and guidance NSU has given me, as I feel supported and ready to start my career. |
Background: The Occupational Therapy General Scholarship Fund Award is available to a graduate Occupational Therapy student currently enrolled in an Occupational Therapy program at the NSU Ft. Lauderdale or Tampa campus. The student must have completed at least two full terms in the respective program. Student must demonstrate leadership and professional development interests and engagement while in the program. Student must exemplify the values and vision of the occupational therapy profession.
Award Amount: $500.00
Deadline: March 15
Requirements:
Submit application (Click Here) to:
Dr. Tamara Pinchevsky-Font
pinchevs@nova.edu
Recipients:
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2024 - Melissa Sliger Tampa Bay Regional Campus
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Dr. Melissa Sliger is a recent graduate of Nova Southeastern University (NSU), where she earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. During her time at NSU, she was an active member of Pi Theta Epsilon, serving as president, and also gained member of the Alpha Eta Society. These organizations greatly shaped her leadership and scholarly abilities.
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Award Amount: Varies - Renewable each year, but students must re-apply each year
Deadline: The Post-Professional SpOTlight Scholarship Deadline each year is May 1st.
Requirements:
Contact Information
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 8 for each new academic year
Requirements:
Contact Information
Physical Therapy General Scholarship Fund
College: PPCHCS- Professional Physical Therapy Students
Background: This scholarship supports the Professional Physical Therapy students on the Fort Lauderdale campus (year 2-3).
Award Amount: One time award of $1,000.
Deadline: April 1
Timeline for Award: Students are notified by email
Requirements:
To be eligible for the award, students must:
Contact Information: Shari Rone-Adams, Chair, Physical Therapy Department, 954-262-1740, srone@nova.edu
Award Amount: Varies - renewable each year, but students must re-apply each year
Deadline: March 31
Requirements:
Contact Information
Background:
Reba Anderson, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA, one of the founding members of Nova Southeastern University's Department of Occupational Therapy, spearheaded a new entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy program in 1994 (over 10 years before the master's degree became the mandated entry-point). Dr. Anderson was incredibly devoted to the profession of occupational therapy, seeing the future and the potential of occupational therapy, and then establishing post-professional programs to influence and improve practice, including the Dr.OT in 1995 (the first) and the Ph.D. program in 1999. A true leader, she created the Great Southern Conference to promote leadership in the Southern states that lacked state occupational therapy associations. Whenever you speak to anyone who had the privilege of working or interacting with Dr. Anderson, they will tell you the profound influence she has had on their career, and we are honored to have her as our founding visionary, continuing her vision for exemplar occupational therapy education.
Award Amount:
This is a one-time, non-renewable award of $500 per student. The awards will be distributed equitably between the three NSU OT post-professional programs: one incoming Ph.D. student, one incoming Dr.OT student, and one incoming Dual Degree student will be awarded the Reba Anderson Scholarship, with each recipient receiving the $500 award.
Deadline:
The Reba Anderson Scholarship deadline each year is May 15.
Eligibility:
The Reba Anderson Scholarship will be available to post-professional students who are in the first-year of their program. The scholarship is available to incoming students who started their program (e.g., summer, fall, or winter semester) prior to the May award. For example, the award for 2024 will be available to students who entered in summer 2023, fall 2023, or winter 2024. Please note that this scholarship also considers financial need and whether a student is receiving any external funding (e.g., Employee tuition reimbursement) in the review process.
Requirements:
The application package must be complete before consideration can occur.
Contact:
Dr. Rick Davenport (PhD)(Dual Degree Dr.OT/Ph.D.) - rd418@nova.edu
Dr. Nicole Quint (Dr.OT)(Dual Degree Dr.OT/Ph.D.) - quint@nova.edu
Recipients:
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May 2024 - Kayte Gullatt |
Kayte Gullatt is an occupational therapist in Ojai, California who works primarily with the geriatric population and owns her own business, Optimal Homelife. She graduated in 2018 from Dominican University of California in Marin County, CA. During these past six years, Kayte has worked in skilled nursing facilities around the San Francisco Bay Area and in home health around the Ventura County, CA. Kayte chose to begin her doctorate at Nova Southeastern University to continue her studies from graduate school in resilience and expand her research into professional identity. |
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May 2024 - Heather Locasha |
Heather Locasha started her PhD in occupational therapy Journey at NSU in summer of 2023 and recently transitioned to the new Dual Dr.OT/PhD. Program in summer 2024. Heather works as an assistant professor at UnityPoint Allen College in Waterloo, IA for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program. Heather recently became the Doctoral Capstone as her program transitions to the entry level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). Heather has strong clinical experience in acute and inpatient rehab with a focus on neurological disorders. Heather's research interests include OT's role in obesity, implementation science, and brain injury education. Heather enjoys spending time with her elementary age children, going for walks, and listening to audio books. |
College: ESS Scholarship Office (undergraduate) for PPCHCS
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 1
Requirements:
Contact Information
