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Top Physical Therapy Scholarships in 2022
Physical therapy is one of the most versatile areas in the medical field; physical therapists can find work at hospitals, universities, sporting clubs, spas, and a variety of other work environments. It’s also a quickly growing field; the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the number of physical therapists will grow by a whopping 18% between 2019 and 2029.
Physical Therapy scholarships are one way to pay for your degree in this quickly growing profession! These PT scholarships can help pay for your undergraduate or graduate education.
Jump ahead to:
- Top physical therapy scholarships
- Resources for physical therapy students
- Frequently asked questions
- Upcoming physical therapy scholarships
- Other scholarship lists to explore
Below are some physical therapy scholarships to help make that degree a reality.
Also see: Exercise science major overview
Top physical therapy scholarships in 2022
Novus Biologicals Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Students pursuing a degree in a life science, health science, or medical science field
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: July 20, 2022
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school senior, college or grad student with an interest in pursuing a career in the health and fitness fields
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: August 1, 2022
HIE Help Center Scholarship for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Students
- Eligibility: Students seeking a degree in physical, occupational, or speech therapy with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: August 31, 2022
American Physical Therapy Association Outstanding PT Student and PTA Student Award
- Eligibility: Members of the APTA enrolled in their final year of a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant education program
- Amount: $500 to $1,000
- Deadline: See site for application process details
American Physical Therapy Association Minority Scholarship Award
- Eligibility: Minority APTA members in the final year of their physical therapy educational programs, who are pursuing postdoctoral degrees. Scholarships available for both physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students.
- Amount: $3,000 for PTA recipients and $5,000 for PT recipients
- Deadline: See site for application process details
American Physical Therapy Association Mary McMillan Scholarship
- Eligibility: Nominated APTA members in the final year of their physical therapy or physical therapy assistant education programs
- Amount: $3,000 for PTA recipients and $5,000 for PT recipients
- Deadline: See site for application process details
Resources for physical therapy students
American Physical Therapy Organization
The American Physical Therapy Organization is a national group that is dedicated to connecting physical therapists and advancing the state of the profession. They have a host of benefits, including student loan refinancing and counseling, and discounts for a variety of physical therapy-related products.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is used to calculate students’ eligibility for a wide variety of forms of financial aid. These include institutional, federal, and state aid. Students in accredited physical therapy undergraduate programs can take advantage of programs like the Pell Grant and Stafford loans. Remember, the application is free and relatively easy to complete. Even if you think you won’t qualify, it’s a good idea to fill it out just in case. You might just thank yourself later!
Frequently asked questions about physical therapy scholarships
Can you get scholarships for physical therapy school?
There are many scholarships available for different physical therapy programs! AMBCUS offers scholarships for graduate-level students pursuing a degree in physical therapy. And there are many other opportunities in our list above!
How much does a Dr. of physical therapy make?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the 2020 median pay for physical therapists was $91,010 per year, or $43.75 per hour.
Can you earn a physical therapy degree online?
There are a wide range of online and hybrid degree programs for physical therapy, including well-known schools such as the University of Southern California. However, most forms of physical therapy education involve at least some form of in-person training.
Upcoming scholarships:
The Arc New York Arthur W Pense Scholarship
- Eligibility: Physical or occupational therapy students residing in New York State
- Amount: $3,000
Daughters of the American Revolution Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students in financial need and are attending or are planning to attend a school to pursue a degree in art, music, or physical therapy
- Amount: $2,000
- Opens: November 1, 2022
Foundation for Physical Therapy Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduate students pursuing research careers that are related to physical therapy, with priority given to students whose studies relate to the American Physical Therapy Association research agenda
- Amount: Up to $45,000
- Opens: October 2022
Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Members or descendents of federally recognized, state-recognized or terminated Tribes enrolled in preparatory or prerequisite courses for enrollment in a health professional degree program, such as physical therapy
- Amount: Varies
- Opens: December 15, 2022
Indian Health Service Health Professionals Scholarship
- Eligibility: Members or descendents of federally recognized, state-recognized or terminated Tribes enrolled in a health profession degree program such as a physical therapy program. Scholarship recipients must agree to fulfill a service commitment in full-time clinical practice upon completion of their academic or post-graduate clinical training
- Amount: Varies
- Opens: December 15, 2022
International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons Health Careers Scholarship
- Eligibility: Medical and dental, physical therapy, medical pharmacy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy students who have completed at least two years of study
- Amount: Varies
- Opens: March 1, 2023
Katherine H. Dilley Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Arizona students studying physical or occupational therapy
- Amount: $1,000
- Opens: August 1, 2022
Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be attending a medicine, sports medicine, and/or physical therapy program in Indiana, holding a minimum 3.0 GPA with at least one semester completed
- Amount: $2,500
- Opens: August 1, 2022
National AMBUCS Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a graduate program for physical or occupational therapy, or speech language pathology or hearing audiology. Applicants must also file a FAFSA and a one-page personal statement
- Amount: $500 to $6,000
- Opens: February 12, 2023
