What scholarships are available for physical therapy students, as well as recent graduates?

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25 Great Scholarships for Physical Therapy Students

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scholarships-for-physical-therapyAs recent surveys indicate a shortage of physical therapists in the United States to provide the increased need for therapy services to the large aging baby boomer population, many organizations have created scholarships for physical therapy students as an effort to fulfill this growing demand. As one of the most secure professional roles in the healthcare industry, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) reports a remarkably low unemployment rate of just 0.4% among licensed physical therapists.
If you are interested in pursuing a rewarding career in this in-demand field, the following are 25 of the most generous scholarships specifically for students enrolled in accredited physical therapy programs.
1. American Academy of Physical Therapy Scholarships

Deadline: December 1st
Annually, the American Academy of Physical Therapy awards multiple scholarships for up to $2,500 each to outstanding students who are currently enrolled full-time in an entry-level degree PT or PTA program in the U.S. that has been properly accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Applicants must show evidence of excellence in academic achievement, true concern for the healthcare of minority communities, and participation in related community activities.
Contact

American Academy of Physical Therapy Scholarships
P.O. Box 22268
Beachwood, OH 44122
(888) 717-2278

Scholarship Link
2. APTA Outstanding Physical Therapy Student Awards

Deadline: December 2nd
Established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Outstanding Physical Therapy Student Awards provide up to $5,000 to student physical therapists and student physical therapist assistants who demonstrate exceptional overall accomplishments in the physical therapy profession. Eligible candidates must be APTA members in good standing, be currently enrolled in an accredited physical therapy program in the United States, and submit a support statement from one clinical instructor.
Contact

APTA Outstanding Physical Therapy Student Awards
1111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-2782

1. Charlotte Money Beatty Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 11th
In honor of a beloved physical therapist who served until her passing in 1993, the Charlotte Money Beatty Memorial Scholarship is granted for $1,500 annually to a deserving graduate student enrolled in the physical therapy program at the University of North Carolina. While the scholarship is open to all students in good academic standing, priority will be given first to minority students and second to individuals expressing a commitment to a career in pediatrics.
Contact

Charlotte Money Beatty Memorial Scholarship
Bondurant Hall Room 7135
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 966-4708

1. David Potter Physical Therapy Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: May 14th
Established by the University of Michigan at Flint in honor of a non-traditional student who received his graduate degree in physical therapy with honors and left a positive mark on the department, the David Potter Physical Therapy Memorial Scholarship is offered annually to career-changers who have overcome adversity to enroll in the physical therapy program. Recipients will be chosen based on academic achievement, community service record, professional career goals, and recommendations.
Contact

David Potter Physical Therapy Memorial Scholarship
303 East Kearsley St.
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 424-5429

1. Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: February 20th
Administered through the Hawaii Community Foundation, the Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation Scholarship is presented annually for $1,000 to junior, senior, or graduate students who are currently enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program for kinesiology, leisure science, physical education, athletic training, exercise science, sports medicine, physical therapy, or occupational therapy. Qualified candidates must be Hawaii residents, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better, and demonstrate financial need.
Contact

Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation Scholarship
827 Fort Street Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 537-6333

Scholarship Link
6. Gary L. Soderberg Doctor of Physical Therapy Award

Deadline: March 1st
Sponsored by the Doctor of Physical Therapy Visionary Foundation, the Gary L. Soderberg Doctor of Physical Therapy Award is available for graduate students nationwide who are in the final year of a professional entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program at an accredited U.S. institution with good academic standing. Eligible candidates must submit an official school transcript, current curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and a two-page essay.
Contact

Gary L. Soderberg Doctor of Physical Therapy Award
4737 Laurel Creek Court
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
(225) 978-0136

1. Harold “Herk” Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund

Deadline: March 15th
In memory of an orthopedic tech who served in the United States Navy before pursuing a graduate degree in physical therapy, the Harold “Herk” Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed to provide up to $2,500 to a non-traditional full-time graduate student who is enrolled in the accredited physical therapy program at the University of Indianapolis. Selection is based upon academic performance, financial need, professional goals, and service involvement.
Contact

Harold “Herk” Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund
1400 East Hanna Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46227
(317) 788-3500

1. IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program

Deadline: May 31st
Created by the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Health Professions Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate or graduate students who are currently enrolled full-time in an eligible health profession degree program, including physical therapy. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, be members of a federally recognized tribe or village, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and sign a minimum two-year service commitment to practicing at an Indian health facility.
Contact

IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program
801 Thompson Avenue Suite 450A
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 443-6197

Scholarship Link
9. Florence P. Kendall Post-Professional Doctoral Scholarship

Deadline: September 1st
Sponsored by the Foundation for Physical Therapy, the Florence P. Kendall Post-Professional Doctoral Scholarship provides up to $5,000 to assist highly qualified physical therapists and physical therapist assistants with outstanding potential in the first year of graduate studies towards a post-professional doctorate. Qualified candidates must possess a license to practice physical therapy in the United States, be enrolled as a full or part-time student in an accredited doctoral PT program, and demonstrate commitment to further the physical therapy profession.
Contact

Florence P. Kendall Post-Professional Doctoral Scholarship
1111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 875-1378

1. Janet L. Hemzacek Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: October 1st
At Northwestern University, the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences offers the Janet L. Hemzacek Memorial Scholarship for $2,500 each year to deserving students enrolled in the first year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program who demonstrate financial need. Recipients must exhibit a strong sense of integrity and humanity as well as extensive involvement with diverse communities through volunteer activities.
Contact

Janet L. Hemzacek Memorial Scholarship
645 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 908-8160

1. Joseph Ray and Lorna S. Broadbent Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st
Created in honor of their son who was injured in a serious truck accident and depended upon physical therapy to recover, the Joseph Ray and Lorna S. Broadbent Scholarship is designed to present $600 to a graduate physical therapy student enrolled in the University of Utah who is classified as a minority in the profession by gender, race, or disability status. Qualified applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate financial need, and exhibit participation in professional organizations.
Contact

Joseph Ray and Lorna S. Broadbent Scholarship
201 South 1460 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
(801) 585-3122

1. Katherine H. Dilley Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 1st
Each year, the Arizona State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) sponsors the Katherine H. Dilley Scholarship Fund to provide $1,000 to current undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing a career in physical or occupational therapy at any accredited four-year higher learning institution in Arizona. Along with the application, candidates must attach a college transcript, two letters of recommendation, and a personal essay on career interests.
Contact

Katherine H. Dilley Scholarship Fund
7633 East Acoma Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 607-2290
13. Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: Varies
At more than 200 accredited southeastern institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarships are granted annually for female Christian undergraduate and graduate students who are obtaining a degree in the medical, nursing, or allied healthcare fields, including physical therapy. Preference is given to women who are committed to serving the elderly in their declining years at nursing homes or hospice facilities.
Contact

Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarships
191 Peachtree St. NE Suite 3540
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 522-6755

1. Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 1st
Sponsored by the NBA Indiana Pacers Foundation, the Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship Program distributes $2,000 annual awards to undergraduate students currently enrolled in an accredited Indiana institution with an academic major in medicine, sports medicine, physical therapy, and/or other related fields. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens, have completed at least four semesters of college studies, possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and exhibit outstanding character and integrity.
Contact

Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship Program
125 South Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 917-2864

Scholarship Link
15. Mary McMillan Scholarship Award

Deadline: September 1st
With funding by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award provides up to $5,000 annually to graduate students who are within 12 months of completing all requirements for graduation of an entry-level professional physical therapy program that has been accredited by the CAPTE. Selection will be based on extraordinary scholastic performance, evidence of potential contribution to the physical therapy profession, and service to the APTA.
Contact

Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
1111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-6748

1. Morris Slotin Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: January 31st
Established in memory of a beloved physical therapist and clinical instructor who began his career in the music business as a sound engineer, the Morris Slotin Endowed Memorial Scholarship is granted annually for up to $2,000 to an outstanding non-traditional student who has chosen physical therapy as a second career. Eligible candidates must be currently enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Armstrong Atlantic State University full-time with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
Contact

Morris Slotin Endowed Memorial Scholarship
11935 Abercorn St.
Savannah, GA 31419
(912) 344-2541

1. National AMBUCS Scholarship Program for Therapists

Deadline: April 15th
Since its inception back in 1955, the National AMBUCS Scholarship Program for Therapists has provided annual awards for up to $1,500 to junior or senior-level undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, or hearing audiology from an accredited U.S. institution. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, demonstrate financial need, document good scholastic standing, and express an intent to enter clinical practice in a chosen field of therapy.
Contact

National AMBUCS Scholarship Program for Therapists
P.O. Box 5127
High Point, NC 27262
(800) 838-1845

1. Olive C. Farr Scholarship Award for Physical Therapy

Deadline: March 21st
Annually, the Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation presents the Olive C. Farr Scholarship Award for Physical Therapy for $500 to student members of the APTA who are currently pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited institution in Iowa and have concluded the first year of the entry-level professional education program. Candidates must submit a current transcript, typed resume with cover letter on professional accomplishments, and letter of recommendation on their clinical performance.
Contact

Olive C. Farr Scholarship Award for Physical Therapy
521 East Locust St. Suite 202
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 222-9838
Scholarship Link
19. Ridley Family Physical Therapy Scholarships

Deadline: February 28th
Established through a generous gift from Lois and Ted Ridley in gratitude for the care Ted received from physical therapists at the University of Wisconsin Hospital following brain surgery, the Ridley Family Physical Therapy Scholarships are granted annually for $1,500 each to graduate students enrolled full-time in the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and potential for leadership in the field of physical therapy.
Contact

Ridley Family Physical Therapy Scholarships
1300 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-9427

1. Ruth A. Kradolfer Physical Therapy Humanitarian Award

Deadline: March 1st
Within the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Montana, the Ruth A. Kradolfer Physical Therapy Humanitarian Award is given to a deserving first or second-year graduate student in the accredited physical therapy program who has made a significant humanitarian contribution. Eligible Montana residents must have positively contributed to any area of human service, including education, health, and social welfare.
Contact

Ruth A. Kradolfer Physical Therapy Humanitarian Award
2 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-4753

1. Southpaw Enterprises Inc. Scholarship Program

Deadline: Ongoing
As one of the leading manufacturers of products used by physical therapists throughout the entire world, Southpaw Enterprises Inc. has established a national scholarship program to provide annual awards for up to $3,000 to graduate students who are majoring in physical therapy in a CAPTE-accredited program at any Ohio instituion. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate interest in pediatric physical therapy and/or sensory integration.
Contact

Southpaw Enterprises Inc. Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 1047
Dayton, OH 45401
(800) 228-1698

1. Sykes Family Scholarship for Pediatric Physical Therapy

Deadline: May 1st
At the University of Southern California, the Sykes Family Scholarship for Pediatric Physical Therapy awards up to $2,500 each year to an outstanding graduate student currently enrolled in their second year in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Qualified candidates must demonstrate a commitment to a career in pediatric physical therapy, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better, and agree to participate in a full-time clerkship in pediatrics throughout the third year of the program.
Contact

Sykes Family Scholarship for Pediatric Physical Therapy
1540 Alcazar St. Suite 155
Los Angeles, CA 90089
(323) 442-2900

1. Tracy L. Rasor Sports Medicine Scholarship

Deadline: March 4th
In honor of an inspirational role model and mentor in the field of sports medicine physical therapy, the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association (WPTA) presents the Tracy L. Rasor Sports Medicine Scholarship annually to a student physical therapist in Wisconsin who has demonstrated an interest in sports medicine. Applicants must be members of the WPTA, be expected to graduate from a CAPTE-accredited PT program within the year, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Contact

Tracy L. Rasor Sports Medicine Scholarship
3510 East Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 221-9191

Scholarship Link
24. Virginia Physical Therapy Student Minority Scholarship

Deadline: October 31st
Awarded through the Student Relations Committee of the Virginia Physical Therapy Association (VPTA), the Virginia Physical Therapy Student Minority Scholarship is offered annually for $1,000 to African American, Asian, Native American, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander students who are in the final academic year of an accredited physical therapy program in Virginia. Selection is based on participation in minority community services, potential for superior achievements in physical therapy, and academic excellence.
Contact

Virginia Physical Therapy Student Minority Scholarship
8400 Westpark Drive 2nd Floor
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 610-9036

1. Wright and Filippis Family Scholarship Program

Deadline: August 1st
Funded by Michigan’s largest provider of home healthcare products and services to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, the Wright and Filippis Family Scholarship Program is administered through the Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA) to provide annual scholarships to students in their final year of an accredited physical therapy program within Michigan. Along with the application, candidates must submit an official college transcript, attach at least two recommendations, and participate in an interview.
Contact

Wright and Filippis Family Scholarship Program
1390 Eisenhower Place
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 929-6075

Scholarship Link
In order to successfully pursue a career in physical therapy, it is typically necessary for students to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited institution. Since the advanced education requirements necessitate additional financial aid resources to cover the hefty expenses of post-baccalaureate programs, be sure to check out these 25 great scholarships for physical therapy students to earn your professional goals without accumulating overwhelming mountains of student loan debt.