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Katelyn
Student
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Updated
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Any advice on student-loans for physical therapy school?
What are some tips for student-loans. I am currently in my undergraduate and looking to go to graduate school. With that being said, I am anxious about being over $190k in debt. Any advice?
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1 answer
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
185
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Katelyn,
The anxiety about student loan debt for physical therapy school is understandable! Before I give some suggestions, I just want to give some food for thought-
I work with MI students, and I like to show them this- the demand and pay, I am sure, is different in Pennsylvania, but something to look into!
https://www.michigan.gov/mcda/-/media/Project/Websites/mcda/reports/2024/Michigan-Hot-50-Job-Outlook-through-2032.pdf?rev=692067ec2ab6412897e5962c9012b785
If you go to this link you will see
Physical Therapist Assistants make $25–$31 with an Associate Degree, License
Physical Therapists make $40–$51 Doctoral or Professional Degree, License
PTAs, although they do not make as much as a PT they tend to have little to no student loan debt. If you are currently in your undergrad, you can still finish your Bachelor's, and that leaves you open to move into management positions if you pursue a PTA degree. It would also probably only take you a year, maybe a year and a half, to get your PTA degree because many of your Bachelor classes would count.
You still work in the same field doing similar work. Although as a PTA you get to be more hands-on on whereas a PT has to do more of the paperwork and not as fun stuff.
I am not saying you should or have to change your plans, just wanted to share.
Here are some suggestions:
See if there are any hospitals you can work at part-time that will do tuition reimbursement for you while you work on your PT degree.
Here is an example of one place- https://www.lghealthbenefits.com/financial-support/tuition-assistance/
Keep looking for scholarships! Although the school may not offer graduate scholarships, you can still find places that offer scholarships for graduate programs. Keep looking, keep applying! You can always ask the financial aid office if they know any.
You can look to work at places after graduating that help pay for your student loans or are part of a student loan forgiveness program.
I hope this helps!
The anxiety about student loan debt for physical therapy school is understandable! Before I give some suggestions, I just want to give some food for thought-
I work with MI students, and I like to show them this- the demand and pay, I am sure, is different in Pennsylvania, but something to look into!
https://www.michigan.gov/mcda/-/media/Project/Websites/mcda/reports/2024/Michigan-Hot-50-Job-Outlook-through-2032.pdf?rev=692067ec2ab6412897e5962c9012b785
If you go to this link you will see
Physical Therapist Assistants make $25–$31 with an Associate Degree, License
Physical Therapists make $40–$51 Doctoral or Professional Degree, License
PTAs, although they do not make as much as a PT they tend to have little to no student loan debt. If you are currently in your undergrad, you can still finish your Bachelor's, and that leaves you open to move into management positions if you pursue a PTA degree. It would also probably only take you a year, maybe a year and a half, to get your PTA degree because many of your Bachelor classes would count.
You still work in the same field doing similar work. Although as a PTA you get to be more hands-on on whereas a PT has to do more of the paperwork and not as fun stuff.
I am not saying you should or have to change your plans, just wanted to share.
Here are some suggestions:
See if there are any hospitals you can work at part-time that will do tuition reimbursement for you while you work on your PT degree.
Here is an example of one place- https://www.lghealthbenefits.com/financial-support/tuition-assistance/
Keep looking for scholarships! Although the school may not offer graduate scholarships, you can still find places that offer scholarships for graduate programs. Keep looking, keep applying! You can always ask the financial aid office if they know any.
You can look to work at places after graduating that help pay for your student loans or are part of a student loan forgiveness program.
I hope this helps!