Resources & Scholarships
Baylor DPT Scholarships:
DPT Light the Way Scholarship
Amount: $1,000 (minimum)
Description: The Baylor University DPT program offers the DPT Light the Way Scholarship. This scholarship will provide at least one $1,000 award to a current student from each cohort, each year of the program. Selection criteria are based on alignment with Baylor DPT Values, academic status, financial need, underrepresented minority (URM) status, and an essay response. Being a member of a URM group is considered but not required to qualify for this scholarship.
External Scholarships:
Baylor Scholarship Universe
Description: Scholarship Universe is a helpful new resource to connect Baylor current and admitted prospective students to millions of dollars in outside scholarship opportunities. Access your account today and start answering questions in a personal questionnaire. Based on your answers you will be matched with outside scholarship opportunities in the database tailored to your talents and specific criteria.
The Power of 1 or 2
The Power of 1 or 2 Scholarships include a graduate scholarship which recognizes graduate college students who always let their light shine bright for others in a way that is impactful and inspiring. Each year, $5,000 scholarships are awarded closing in April and awarded in May. The Power of 1 or 2 also offers a Representation Matters scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate BIPOC student pursuing higher education. This scholarship is awarded each February during Black History month. Starr Taylor a Baylor Doctor of Physical Therapy alumnus is one of the co-founders of this organization alongside her brother, Blaise.
Allina EMPOWER Scholarship
The Allina EMPOWER Scholarship, administered by Courage Kenny Foundation, encourages and supports ethnically diverse students who are pursuing a career in a medical or rehabilitation field.
The scholarship is made possible by a generous gift from the David M. Hersey Endowment Fund of the Courage Kenny Foundation.
Applicants must identify how they will use their education and training and demonstrate their interest in rehabilitation. Selection is based on the applicant’s stated intentions, past achievements, need, and graduation ranking.
The annual application period is Jan 1 - April 15. Scholarships are awarded in June.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Minority Scholarship Award
The APTA Minority Scholarship Award recognizes physical therapy students currently in their final year of an accredited program for their professional character and academic excellence. These awards are sponsored by the Minority Scholarship Fund and voluntary contributions.
This is an annual award offered to minority physical therapist students by the Physical Therapy Fund. For questions regarding the nomination process or the award, please contact honorsandawards@apta.org.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Outstanding PT Student and PTA Student Awards
The APTA Outstanding PT Student award identifies a student physical therapist and student physical therapist assistant member with exceptional overall accomplishments and contributions to APTA and the physical therapy profession.
The outstanding student physical therapist will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must currently be enrolled in their final year of an accredited or developing physical therapist or physical therapist assistant education program. The applicant must be a current member of APTA. Scholarships are awarded annually and applications must be submitted by December 1st.
AMBUCS Scholarship Program for Therapists
Amount: Up to $6,000
Description: For graduate students enrolled in a graduate physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology program.
American Academy of Physical Therapy
Amount: Up to $2,500
Description: For PT and PTA students in their final year of training. Selection places an importance on contributing to minority affairs.
Daughters of the American Revolution Physical/Occupational Therapy Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Description: For students accepted to or enrolled in an accredited PT or OT program.
Exxat Student Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Description: The Exxat team is proud to support all aspects of health sciences education, including the
students who are the future of healthcare. This year, we are awarding a scholarship in the amount
of $1000 to four (4) students who exemplify excellence in Scholarly Productivity, Diversity and
Inclusion, Leadership, and Care for Underserved Communities.
F.A. Davis Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Description: F.A. Davis is dedicated to developing teaching and learning solutions that meet the needs of nursing and health science students, educators, and practitioners. To stay committed to our goal of shaping the future of nursing and health science education, F.A. Davis is proud to offer annual scholarships to support those aspiring to work in healthcare.
HIE Help Center Scholarship for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Students
Amount: $1,000
Description: This scholarship is for physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology students with a 3.0 GPA in a US program.
IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Description: This scholarship is for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are pursuing a degree full time in a health profession. They must have a 2.0 GPA, practice at an Indian health facility for 2 years following graduation, and be US citizens who are members of a tribe or village that is federally recognized.
International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons Health Careers Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Description: This scholarship is for US citizens in various health fields. PT students must have completed 2 years of study.
Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
Amount: $5,000
Description: This scholarship is for students in their last year at an accredited PT or PTA program
Minority Scholarship Award
Amount: Varies
Description: For minority PT students who are US citizens in their final year of schooling and have shown a commitment to minority affairs.
Rizing Tide
Amount: Up to $14,000
Description: Every patient deserves to feel represented by their healthcare provider—and have access to affordable care. That’s why we’re offering student scholarships to inspire more diversity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy workforce.
VA National Education for Employees Program (Employee Incentive Scholarship Program)
Amount: Up to $40,000 over 3 years of full-time coursework
Description: This scholarship is for students who are VA employees and are pursuing health care careers through degrees that are first-time certification programs requiring practicum hours. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. Must work at the VA during academic breaks and for 3 years after graduation.
Employer Sponsored Scholarships
Big Stone Therapies Scholarship Program
In the interest of recruiting high quality employees and to assist Therapy students with their educational pursuits, Big Stone Therapies, Inc. (BST) has developed a scholarship program to help pay a portion of the educational expenses associated with obtaining a degree in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech-Language Pathology (we currently do not have scholarship opportunities for Therapy Assistant students).
We desire to develop a scholarship relationship with Therapy students who are willing to make an employment commitment to BST following the completion of their Therapy degree. The scholarship amount is currently $10,000 (subject to change).
Veterans Affairs (VA) Scholarships and Loan Repayment and Reimbursement
Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs:
The Department of Education (ED) Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on your federal Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
This program has very specific qualifying requirements and approval has been challenging for many, so it is recommended that you examine your eligibility very closely and contact PSLF program representatives with all questions.
State Physical Therapy Scholarships:
Minnesota:
- Care Providers of Minnesota Scholarship: The education scholarships funded annually by the Care Providers of Minnesota Foundation are designed to assist qualified persons who wish to further their education and practice serving seniors and persons with disabilities. It is the Foundation’s intention to encourage scholarship recipients to continue to work serving seniors and persons with disabilities although this not a requirement.
Illinois:
- Judith Harris and Dr. Monica Vohmann Scholarship (Amount: $1,000): This scholarship is for IPTA student PT members in good standing who are first year DPT students. Must have a 3.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
- Team Rehab Scholarship (Amount: $2,000): This scholarship is for IPTA student PT members in good standing who are enrolled in an Illinois PT or PTA program. Must have completed a clinical experience and be within last 3 semesters before graduation if a PT student and final year if a PTA student.
New York:
- Teach NYC Physical Therapy Scholarship Program (Amount: Varies): For students who agree to serve as a school PT in a New York City public school for 2 years.
Wisconsin:
- Chris Crivello Scholarship (Amount: Unknown) For WPTA members who are expected to graduate from an accredited PT or PTA program within one year.
- Tracy L. Rasor Sports Medicine Scholarship
- WPT Scholars Award (Amount: Unknown): For WPTA members who are expected to graduate from an accredited PT or PTA program within one year.
The Health Services & Resources Administration (HRSA) Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP)
Navy Health Professions Student Loan Repayment Program
Additional Funding Opportunities:
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
NIH Central Resource for Grants and Funding Information
Non-NIH Funding Opportunities - Grants and Fellowships
Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill Benefits
