Graduate Education Merit Program (Graduate Assistantships)

Link to Office of Financial Aid

Explanation of the Program

The Graduate Education Merit Program (GEM) provides graduate occupational therapy students, who have demonstrated financial need, the opportunity for professional development through participation in activities that support the Department of Occupational Therapy’s commitment to practice, research and community service. GEM students support the Jefferson occupational therapy faculty in programming, research and teaching activities. GEM students may also assist faculty in implementing occupational therapy into new community based practice arenas. Financial support is distributed through the Federal Work Study program through the Office of Financial Aid. Occupational therapy graduate student candidates are invited to apply for entrance into the Graduate Education Merit Program while they are applying for acceptance to the program. Once the financial aid award has been given, GA’s will complete the designated number of hours (5-18hr/week) based upon award amount.

*Based on availability of federal/state work study funds

Eligibility Requirements

• Acceptance into full time graduate Occupational Therapy program
• Demonstration of financial need qualifying for federal work study program (most graduate students qualify)
• Submission of Graduate Assistant Merit Program application and resume

Selection Criteria

• Cumulative GPA and standardized test scores
• Leadership, work and volunteer experiences
• GEM students  are reviewed annually for continuation of award
• Students must maintain good academic standing and complete GEM hours
• Students must continue to demonstrate financial need each year

Student Opportunities

• Research Assistantship-support faculty research through literature search, data management, subject recruitment
• Teaching Assistantship- support faculty teaching in labs and coursework
• University Service-support university recruitment, continuing education and community events
• Community Service-support university and departmental sponsored community programs focusing on literacy, meeting the needs of the homeless and older adults

Student Responsibilities

• Commitment to the GEM program while receiving graduate education
• Fulfillment of assigned hours determined by financial support
• Fulfillment of assigned responsibilities determined by faculty
• If a student decides to withdraw from the GA program at anytime, he/she may not return to the program while as a student within the OT program

For Questions Contact:

Audrey Zapletal, MS, OTR/L
Coordinator of the GEM program
Department of Occupational Therapy
Audrey.Zapletal@jefferson.edu
(215) 503-9615