Occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant

should i go to college to be an occupational therapist or should i go for an occupational therapist assistant and then finish up school get a job at a hospital (etc.) and have them pay for the rest of my schooling and go back for OT? hope it makes sense

If you have the ability, I would go for OT.
A) you'll make a heck of a lot more money
B) you'll be doing essentially the same job
C) educational reimbursements aren't what they used to be, and you'll be hard pressed to find a company that would be willing to fund an entire degree. Some hospitals will, but usually if you don't have one at all.