There are many scholarships for physical therapy (PT) and PT assistant students. These physical therapy scholarships could help offset the cost of PT school.
Some awards may come from physical therapy agencies. While others come from colleges with accredited PT programs. Private donors and allied health providers offer them too.
To apply for a scholarship for physical therapy, you have to find out if you are eligible. This may mean showing a level of financial need, merit or a blend of both. Many providers also ask you to furnish these documents:
Letters of reference from clinical instructors
Transcripts from PT school
GPA and GRE scores
Career goals
Resume that outlines community service
An essay that explains what makes you a team player
There are physical therapy scholarships for various stages of PT education too. This includes awards for people in their first, second or third year of a DPT degree program.
AMBUCS is one example. They offer physical therapy scholarships to students (U.S. citizens) in their junior or senior year in a bachelor’s degree. Or, to those in a graduate program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree. Once accepted in an accredited physical therapy program, you may apply.
Why You Should Apply for Scholarships for PT School?
Physical therapists help people recover and manage mobility issues and pain. They work in clinics, private offices, hospitals, patients’ homes and nursing homes. And are in demand now more than ever.
There are a few reasons the job outlook for PTs and PT assistants is so bright. A major one is the uptick in chronic conditions that create mobility issues. Like diabetes and obesity.
People are also staying active later in life. As such, there are many more outpatient surgeries driving need for rehab. The demand is high for support staff as well as for licensed PTs.
PT assistants can expect 26% more jobs through 2028 and an annual earning potential of $48,990. For physical therapists, about 22% more jobs are on the horizon. Plus, average annual incomes of $89,440.
If you want to pursue a career in PT, you need a college degree. The type of degree you need depends on your goals. For instance, do you want to function as an aide, or practice on your own?
Some people start as PT assistants. This takes a two-year associate degree from an accredited program. Having your degree also preps you to take a mandatory state license exam.
Physical therapists entering the profession need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. A DPT degree program may take three years or more. It also preps you to take the National Physical Therapy Exam. And you need to pass that to get a license.
Now that you see what you might earn as a PT, you can weigh it against the cost of tuition. At last check, the average tuition at a public PT school is $6,991. Also, private schools cost about $33,140.
Luckily, scholarships for physical therapy school exists. Scholarships may offset the price of tuition, fees, research and more. Also, because they are not student loans, you do not need to pay them back as long as you abide by the terms.
List of Physical Therapy Scholarships
Check out our list of physical therapy scholarships below. We have awards worth .
The National Strength and Conditioning Association offers these awards to undergraduate/graduate student members going for a degree in the strength and conditioning fields.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association offers these awards to undergraduate/graduate student members planning a career as strength coaches and majoring in a related area.
We believe that fostering more diversity in the physical therapist workforce will empower therapists to provide even better care to an increasingly diverse patient population. We aim to close the existing diversity gap by investing in students and welcoming them into a supportive community as they begin their physical therapist careers.
