PT Pathways

Scholarships for PT & DPT Students

Find scholarships and funding opportunities to help pay for your physical therapy education.

Pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is a significant financial investment. Below you will find verified scholarships, awards, and funding sources available to PT and DPT students. We update this list regularly, so bookmark this page and check back often.

APTA National Scholarships

Mary McMillan Scholarship Award

APTA's flagship scholarship for outstanding PT students approaching graduation.

  • Amount: $5,000 for PT students; $3,000 for PTA students
  • Eligibility: Must be within 12 months of graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program. One PT and one PTA student nominated per institution. Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • Deadline: Nominations open September 1 through December 1

APTA Minority Scholarship Award

Supports students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups pursuing physical therapy education.

  • Amount: Up to $5,000 per recipient (multiple awards given)
  • Eligibility: Final-year PT or PTA students who are APTA members and identify as African American/Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Hispanic/Latino
  • Deadline: December 1

Access and Opportunity Scholarship Fund Awards

Recognizes students demonstrating impactful community engagement.

  • Amount: Varies (multiple awards given)
  • Eligibility: PT and PTA students in their final academic year
  • Deadline: Nominations September 1 through December 1

CSM Student Scholarships

Helps students attend APTA's Combined Sections Meeting, the largest PT conference in the country.

  • Amount: $750 toward registration, travel, and lodging
  • Eligibility: APTA student member enrolled as a second or third year PT student
  • Awards: 15 scholarships given annually

Diversity and Minority Scholarships

Rizing Tide Crest Scholarship

One of the largest scholarships specifically for BIPOC PT students.

  • Amount: Up to $14,000 (Crest Scholars, 10 awards); up to $5,000 (Rizing Star, 10 additional awards). Renewable up to twice.
  • Eligibility: BIPOC students entering first or second year of a CAPTE-accredited DPT program (or PTA-to-DPT bridge). Must be a U.S. citizen or DACA recipient.
  • Deadline: May 31

Rizing Tide Surge Scholarship

Supports PTs from underrepresented backgrounds entering residency programs.

  • Amount: Up to $10,000 per recipient (3 awards)
  • Eligibility: Graduating PT students or licensed PTs from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds entering an ABPTRFE-certified residency

NABPT Scholarships

The National Association of Black Physical Therapists offers multiple scholarship types including DPT application fee assistance, clinical rotation housing support, and specialty certification funding. Submit applications to info@nabpt.org.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Open to students of Hispanic heritage in all fields, including DPT programs.

  • Amount: $500 to $5,000 based on need
  • Eligibility: Hispanic heritage, enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institution

APTA Pelvic Health / NABPT Diversity Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000 toward CAPP coursework plus $250 travel stipend (2 awards per year)
  • Eligibility: PTs, PTAs, or students affiliated with NABPT who identify as African American or Black

Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research supports research-focused PT professionals. Note that most Foundation awards are for post-professional doctoral students (PhD, EdD, DSc), not entry-level DPT students.

Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) Scholarships

  • Amount: $15,000 for 12 months (8 awards annually)
  • Eligibility: Licensed PTs or PTAs who are APTA members pursuing a research doctoral degree
  • Deadline: January 20

Florence P. Kendall Postdoctoral Fellowship

  • Amount: $75,000 for 12 months
  • Eligibility: Licensed PTs or PTAs who received an academic research doctoral degree within the past 2 years
  • Deadline: March 30

Marquette Challenge

A student-led fundraising initiative that funds $40,000 research grants. The top fundraising schools earn $1,000 travel reimbursement and recognition at CSM.

APTA Specialty Section Awards

Several APTA academies and sections offer their own student awards:

  • Orthopedic PT Outstanding Student Award: Up to $250 plus CSM travel support. Nominations due July 1.
  • Pediatric PT Student Awards: Complimentary conference registration plus up to $550 reimbursement for final-year DPT students.
  • Geriatrics Residency/Fellowship Scholarship: For students enrolled in geriatric residency or fellowship programs.
  • Adopt-A-Doc Scholarship: $3,000 plus dues reimbursement for Academy of Education members in the dissertation phase of post-professional doctoral programs.

Corporate Scholarships

TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship

One of the largest and most well-known healthcare student scholarships, running since 1990.

  • Amount: Ten awards of $10,000 and twenty-five awards of $5,000 (35 total)
  • Eligibility: College seniors entering healthcare graduate programs or current graduate students with at least one year remaining. DPT programs are eligible. Must be a U.S. resident and full-time student.
  • Deadline: August 1 (applications typically open in April)

ASAHP Scholarship of Excellence

  • Amount: $1,000 each (7+ awards), plus $1,000 Elwood Scholarship for the top recipient
  • Eligibility: Outstanding allied health students nominated by their institution (must attend an ASAHP member school)
  • Deadline: June 5

State PT Association Scholarships

Many state PT associations offer their own scholarships. Here are verified examples:

Illinois Physical Therapy Foundation

  • Team Rehab Scholarship: 10 awards of $3,000 for Illinois PT students (deadline January 31)
  • Judith Harris & Dr. Monica Vohmann Scholarship: $1,000 for first-year DPT students with 3.5+ GPA and financial need

Georgia Foundation for Physical Therapy

  • Founders Scholarship: $3,000 (up to 3 SPTs and 1 SPTA in Georgia)
  • Sunshine Scholarship: $3,000 for third-year SPTs planning pediatric PT careers
  • Deadline: Applications open September 1, close October 31

APTA North Carolina

Six or more awards including the Keskula Family Scholarship (preference for first-generation college students) and a DEI Scholarship for students advancing diversity and inclusion.

APTA Indiana

$2,000 awards (one per Indiana PT program) plus $1,000 conference scholarships for APTA student members starting their third year.

APTA Michigan

Multiple awards including the Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialist Scholarship and Lookabaugh Memorial Scholarship.

APTA Arizona

Student scholarships for Arizona PT students. Check their website for current offerings.

Tip: Check your own state's PT association website for local scholarships. Most states offer at least one award, and competition is often less intense than national programs.

Military Health Professions Scholarships

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is one of the most generous funding options available to DPT students.

  • What it covers: Full tuition, fees, books, a monthly stipend of approximately $2,999, and a $20,000 signing bonus
  • Service obligation: Generally one year of active duty per year of scholarship
  • Available through: Army, Navy, and Air Force
  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens accepted into or enrolled in an accredited DPT program who meet requirements for commissioning as an officer

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until slots are filled. Contact a medical recruiter early.

Loan Repayment Programs

After graduation, several programs can help manage student debt:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Full forgiveness of remaining federal Direct Loan balance after 120 qualifying monthly payments. PTs working full-time for government agencies, VA hospitals, nonprofit healthcare facilities, and public schools typically qualify. Forgiveness is tax-free, and payments do not need to be consecutive. Note that new rules taking effect July 1, 2026 may narrow which employers qualify.

VA Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

Up to $200,000 over 5 years (up to $40,000 per year, tax-free) for PTs hired into VA positions designated as difficult to recruit. Can be combined with PSLF. Apply within 6 months of appointment.

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment

Up to $50,000 for an initial 2-year commitment ($25,000 per year), with annual extensions available until debt is fully repaid. Physical therapists are explicitly listed as an eligible health profession. Priority given to American Indian/Alaska Native applicants.

IHS Scholarship Program

Up to 4 years of full funding (tuition, fees, living stipend) for American Indian and Alaska Native students who are members of federally recognized Tribes pursuing health professions degrees. Requires a minimum 2-year service commitment at an Indian health facility.

HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program

Up to $40,000 over 2 years for health professions faculty from disadvantaged backgrounds with a 2+ year teaching contract. Your institution provides matching funds.

State Loan Repayment Programs

Many states offer their own loan repayment for PTs serving in underserved areas. Examples include Missouri HPLRP (2-year service commitment), Montana SLRP (up to $50,000), and California AHSP (up to $8,000 with 12-month service obligation). Check your state health department's website for local programs.

A Note on NHSC

Physical therapists are not currently eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Legislation to add PT eligibility (H.R. 5621, the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act) is pending in Congress. Monitor APTA advocacy updates for progress.

Where to Find More Scholarships

Know of a scholarship we should add? Let us know and we will include it in our next update.