Physical therapy scholarships
Funding your physical therapy degree can be challenging. To help you, we have compiled a list of dozens of physical therapy and health care-specific scholarships and loan repayment programs. Each scholarship is offered at the state or national level, so you don’t have to sift through school-specific scholarships. Remember to also check your school website or with your financial aid office to see if they offer additional scholarship opportunities.
The eligibility requirements and award amounts listed below are subject to change at the discretion of the awarding organizations. Please check the appropriate website for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts.
The sponsored program cards featured on this page were last updated in November 2025. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.
National physical therapy loan forgiveness programs
National AMBUCS has been funding therapy students since the 1950s and now awards hundreds of scholarships each year to future PTs, OTs, SLPs, and audiologists.
- Award amount: Typically $600–$1,500, with one two-year award of $6,000.
- Who it’s for: Graduate-level students in accredited PT, OT, SLP, or audiology programs (assistant or undergrad programs generally aren’t eligible).
- Key requirements: Financial need, strong academics, service and leadership, and a clear commitment to the therapy profession.
- Timing: Applications usually open February 1 and close around May 1 each year.
Daughters of the American Revolution Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) award a national scholarship specifically for OT and PT students (including related art or music therapy).
- Award amount: $5,000 one-time award; recent program materials note up to 4 awards per year.
- Who it’s for: Students with financial need who have been accepted to or are attending an accredited program in occupational or physical therapy (or art/music therapy).
- Key requirements: U.S. citizenship, strong academics, and financial need documentation; preference may be given based on chapter criteria.
- Good to know: Recipients may be able to re-apply in future years, depending on the current rules.
Arcadia University
College of Health Sciences
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Earn your DPT from a hybrid program. Experience on-campus immersions and apply skills learned online to patients in person. Complete the program in 25 months. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree but do not need to submit GRE test scores for admission.
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Complete in 25 months
- 32 weeks of in-person experience
SPONSORED
HIE Help Center Scholarship for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Students
This private scholarship helps one future therapist each year with a small but meaningful award.
- Award amount: $1,000 to one student annually.
- Who it’s for: U.S. college or graduate students planning a career in physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
- Key requirements: Enrollment (or planned enrollment) in a therapy program, a minimum GPA (cutoff has recently been in the 2.8–3.25 range), and a short essay or creative project about why you chose the therapy field.
- Timing: The committee generally accepts submissions from June 30 to July 31. Exact dates and GPA requirements vary slightly by year, so check the current application page.
IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program
The IHS Health Professions Scholarship supports American Indian and Alaska Native students preparing for clinical careers—including physical therapy—in exchange for service to Native communities.
- Award amount: Covers tuition, required fees, and reasonable education expenses, plus a monthly stipend.
- Who it’s for: Eligible American Indian/Alaska Native students who are members of (or descendants recognized by) federally recognized tribes, enrolled in qualifying health-profession degree programs (including PT).
- Key requirements: Minimum service commitment at an IHS or tribal facility after graduation (length depends on how long you receive funding).
International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons Health Career Scholarships
The International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons (IOKDS) offers Health Careers Scholarships that can help offset tuition for PT and other health students.
- Award amount: Generally around $1,000 (exact amounts set each year).
- Who it’s for: Students in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and medical technology, typically after completing at least two years of undergraduate or professional study in the field.
- Key requirements: U.S. or Canadian students at accredited institutions, solid academic performance, and an intent to work in health care.
APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
APTA’s Mary McMillan Scholarship Award is one of the most prestigious national honors for PT and PTA students nearing graduation.
- Award amount: Up to $5,000; multiple PT and PTA students are selected annually.
- Who it’s for: Final-year PT and PTA students in CAPTE-accredited programs who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership, and potential contributions to the profession.
- Key requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA, APTA membership, and nomination by your program (students cannot self-nominate).
APTA Minority Scholarship Award
Funded through APTA’s Minority Scholarship Fund, this award supports PT and PTA students and faculty from racial and ethnic minority groups.
- Award amount: Amount varies, often up to $5,000 for several student and faculty recipients each year.
- Who it’s for:
- Minority PT and PTA students in accredited programs, typically in their final year.
- Minority PT faculty or post-professional students pursuing advanced degrees.
Key requirements: APTA membership, strong academic record, and documented involvement in activities that advance minority affairs in physical therapy.
Rizing Tide’s Crest Scholarship is a major national award aimed at increasing diversity in the PT profession.
- Award amount: Up to $14,000 for 10 scholars and up to $5,000 for 10 additional “Rizing Star” scholars each year.
- Who it’s for: BIPOC students entering their 1st or 2nd year of DPT programs (or PTA-to-DPT bridge programs) at CAPTE-accredited schools.
- Key requirements: Underrepresented racial/ethnic background, minimum GPA (recently 3.2+), and a strong record of leadership and service.
The Surge Scholarship supports PTs from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing residency or fellowship training.
- Award amount: Substantial financial support toward accredited PT residency or fellowship programs (total cohort funding has recently exceeded $500,000 across 20 scholars).
- Who it’s for: Licensed BIPOC PTs accepted into qualifying post-professional training.
- Why it matters: Helps reduce the cost barrier to specialization, which can be especially high for newer graduates with loan debt.
National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT) Scholarships
NABPT offers scholarships and travel awards to support Black PTs, PTAs, and students.
- Award amount: Varies, often $1,000+ plus possible conference or professional-development support.
- Who it’s for: Student and professional members of NABPT pursuing PT or PTA education, research, or leadership development.
- Key requirements: Membership in NABPT and commitment to improving access and equity in physical therapy.
American Academy of Physical Therapy (AAPT) Scholarships (NEW)
The American Academy of Physical Therapy focuses on increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups in PT and offers recurring student scholarships.
- Award amount: Commonly in the $1,000–$2,500 range (varies by year and scholarship).
- Who it’s for: PT, PTA, and pre-PT students (often from underrepresented backgrounds) who show academic promise and a commitment to serving underserved communities.
- Key requirements: Application, essay, and sometimes letters of recommendation and organizational involvement.
Summit (Arctic) Physical Therapy Scholarship
Sometimes listed under its former “Arctic PT Scholarship” name, this award comes from a physical therapy practice and is open to students across the U.S.
- Award amount: Around $500.
- Who it’s for: U.S. students with 3.0+ GPA, planning to enroll full-time in college; preference is often given to those interested in PT or related health careers.
- Key requirements: Short application and essay; relatively low barrier compared to many larger awards.
National physical therapy loan forgiveness programs
VA Education Debt Reduction Program
If you’re willing to work for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, EDRP is one of the most generous loan repayment options available.
- Benefit: Up to $40,000 per year, with a lifetime maximum of $200,000 in tax-free loan repayment, usually over a 5-year period.
- Who it’s for: Clinicians, including PTs, hired into EDRP-eligible VA positions, typically in hard-to-recruit locations or specialties.
- Key requirements: You must be hired into an eligible role, then apply for EDRP within the specified window (often within 6 months of your start date).
HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program
For PTs interested in academia, the HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program offers loan help in return for teaching.
- Benefit: Up to $40,000 in loan repayment over 2 years of full-time or part-time faculty service at an eligible health-professions school.
- Who it’s for: Faculty from economically or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds teaching in eligible health-professions programs, which can include physical therapy.
- Key requirements: Qualifying educational loans, an eligible faculty appointment, and a signed service contract.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
The IHS Loan Repayment Program helps clinicians—including physical therapists—pay off student debt while serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
- Benefit: Up to $50,000 in loan repayment for an initial two-year service commitment, with the option to extend annually until eligible loans are repaid.
- Who it’s for: Licensed health professionals (including PTs) working at eligible IHS or tribal facilities in high-need areas.
- Key requirements: U.S. citizenship, qualifying educational loans, and employment at a site with a staffing need for your discipline.
State physical therapy scholarships
Arizona
AzPTA offers scholarships for PT and PTA students enrolled in Arizona programs, often recognizing leadership, service, and academic excellence.
- Award amount: Varies by year; recent awards have generally been in the hundreds to low thousands of dollars.
- Who it’s for: Final-year PT and PTA students in Arizona programs who are APTA members.
- Key requirements: Strong academics, professional involvement, and an application (often due in August).
Illinois
Judith Harris and Dr. Monica Vohmann Scholarship
Administered by the Illinois Physical Therapy Foundation (IPTF), this scholarship recognizes Illinois DPT students who have overcome personal or financial challenges.
- Award amount: $1,000.
- Who it’s for: First-year DPT students in Illinois PT programs who are IPTA student members in good standing.
- Key requirements: Minimum 3.5 GPA, financial need, and a compelling personal narrative about resilience and helping others.
Team Rehabilitation partners with IPTF to fund multiple scholarships for Illinois PT and PTA students.
- Award amount: Currently $3,000 each, awarded to several students annually.
- Who it’s for: Illinois SPTs and SPTAs enrolled in CAPTE-accredited programs who are IPTA student members.
- Key requirements: Strong academic record, demonstration of clinical promise, and often an essay component.
Indiana
Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship presented by St. Vincent’s Sports Medicine
The Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Pacers Foundation, supports Indiana undergraduates pursuing health careers, including PT and sports medicine.
- Award amount: Typically $2,500, with several awards given each year.
- Who it’s for: Indiana residents enrolled at Indiana colleges or universities, majoring in physical therapy, athletic training, sports medicine, or related fields, with at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Key requirements: Application, transcript, and essay; not available to students already on a full scholarship.
Iowa
The Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation funds multiple Olive C. Farr scholarships each year for PT and PTA students in Iowa.
- Award amount: Varies; recent guidelines note four SPT and one SPTA scholarships annually.
- Who it’s for: PT and PTA students enrolled in Iowa programs, typically after completing at least one year of study.
- Key requirements: Academic achievement, professional involvement, and alignment with the foundation’s mission to advance PT in Iowa.
New York
Teach NYC Physical Therapy Scholarship Program
Often known as the Jose P. Graduate Scholarship Program, this NYC Department of Education initiative supports future school-based OTs and PTs in New York.
- Award amount: Tuition assistance (and sometimes fees) for up to two years of OT or PT study at participating New York State programs.
- Who it’s for: OT and PT students in their 3rd, 4th, or graduate year of professional study at approved institutions, who commit to working in NYC public schools after graduation. web+1
- Key requirements: Interviews, academic review, writing samples, references, and a service commitment (typically two years of school-based practice for each funded year).
Wisconsin
Through the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Fund (a trust of APTA Wisconsin), PT and PTA students can access several scholarship opportunities each year.
- Award focus: Recognizes a student who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community service and the profession of physical therapy.
- Who it’s for: PT and PTA students in Wisconsin programs who are active in volunteer and community engagement.
Tracy L. Rasor Sports Medicine Scholarship
- Award focus: Supports a Wisconsin PT student with a strong interest in sports medicine physical therapy.
- Who it’s for: PT students in Wisconsin who are APTA members and pursuing sports medicine–related careers.
(Award amounts and deadlines can vary year to year; check the WPT Fund site for current details.)
Last updated November 2025