Top 32 Physical Therapy Scholarships in December 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Are you a high school senior or college student planning on pursuing a career in the medical field? If so, consider applying for the Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to multiple aspiring medical workers who submit an essay or image about what inspired them to pursue a degree in the medical field. While finalists for the scholarship will be chosen by the Medical Scrubs Collection, winners will then be selected by the general public. Thus, if you’re chosen as a finalist, we recommend reaching out to your friends and family to vote for your submission!  To learn more about the Medical Scrubs Collection Scholarship, keep on reading. We encourage you to apply!

The AvaCare Medical Scholarship recognizes impressive, caring students who are pursuing a degree in the medical field. This scholarship is awarded annually to one submission that tells about an inspiring act of kindness. AvaCare Medical judges will choose five to ten finalists, whose work will then be posted on their website. Voting will be open for a limited time on the scholarship page, after which the winner will be chosen by a panel of judges based on multiple factors, including the number of votes. Applicants must be current high school seniors or post-secondary students who are pursuing a degree in a medical field such as in therapy, nursing, medicine, nutrition, laboratory science, dentistry, health law, etc. Applicants must also be citizens of the United States or in possession of an Alien Registration Card. While any student pursuing a degree in a medical field may apply, preference will be given to students with a physical disability.

Are you a doctoral student studying physical therapy and looking to complete a dissertation? If so, you may be eligible for the FPTR Scholarships and Fellowships! The program is open to post-professional doctoral students studying physical therapy who have completed at least one full year of coursework. Applicants should also already possess a license to practice physical therapy in the U.S. The program is funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, an independent nonprofit organization that has funded more than $20 million in research grants, scholarships, and fellowships to support post-professional doctoral students in continuing their education. Each year, their scholarships and fellowships award up to $115,000 to help aspiring physical therapists pay for their educational costs. If you are passionate about physical therapy, we encourage you to apply!

Are you a student attending an occupational therapy school? If so, you might be interested in applying for the DAR Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship! The scholarship is open to students accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited occupational therapy school. Those enrolled in art, music, and physical therapy programs are also eligible. A non-profit organization called the Daughters of the American Revolution offers this in addition to many medical, history-related, and other types of scholarships. The organization is known for its lineage-based membership and history and is dedicated to the “historical preservation, promotion of education, and encouragement of patriotic endeavor.” Every year, two recipients are chosen to earn a $2,000 scholarship to help cover educational costs. If you are passionate about your occupational therapy education and are looking for a scholarship opportunity, we encourage you to apply!

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Academic Scholarship Program offers scholarship funds to help Jewish college and graduate students offset some of their financial burden. To be eligible, applicants must be Jewish, been born and raised in the Chicago metropolitan area*, including Lake County, Indiana or had one continuous year of full-time employment in the Chicago metro area prior to enrollment, intend to return to the Chicago metropolitan area after completing school, and are entering their last two years of an undergraduate program or entering an accredited graduate program in the upcoming academic year. Eligible fields are listed below under "Eligibility Overview." Selected recipients will earn awards worth up to $4,000 each, which are potentially renewable. If you're an incoming Jewish college upperclassmen or graduate student from the Chicago Metropolitan Area or Lake County, Indiana, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Introducing the FHE Health "Hope for Healing" Scholarship, a great opportunity for those seeking to become behavioral health professionals. FHE Health annually offers two $5,000 scholarships to encourage America's best and brightest students to pursue a rewarding career in addiction and mental health treatment. One scholarship is awarded to college-level applicants, and the other is for graduate-level applicants. To qualify, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be enrolled in a four-year degree program or show proof of acceptance to an institution that offers four-year degrees. Academic focus in mental and behavioral health or psychiatric nursing is required. Applications will be reviewed for performance, quality of essay, and potential for positive impact on the field of mental and behavioral health. Veterans, minorities, and people with disabilities who meet the above requirements are also encouraged to apply.

The IMANA-FEF Combined Allied Health Professional Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for Muslim students pursuing a degree in Medical or Allied Health. This scholarship is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients attending an accredited institution in the United States. Don't miss out on this chance to further your education and make a difference in the healthcare industry!

The Whelan Foundation Scholarship Program is open to graduating high school seniors from Long Island who are enrolling as a full-time student at an accredited college/university in the United States, or continuing education to pursue a degree in the field of special education, occupational therapy, speech pathology, or other behavioral-focused majors. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and have completed at least 80 hours of volunteer work in the area of special education during high school. If you're a college-bound high school senior from Long Island with a passion for education or behavioral science, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

The Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship was established as a tribute to an extraordinary individual who left a mark on the world of occupational therapy. Despite her untimely departure, Christina's legacy lives on through this scholarship, which aims to empower students who share her passion and dedication. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, this scholarship welcomes applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a heart for volunteering. While all fields of medicine and healthcare are eligible, preference will be given to those pursuing a career in occupational therapy. To apply, share your story and aspirations, revealing the field you plan to embark upon and the reasons behind your chosen path.

Are you a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is majoring in and planning on pursuing a career in a health or fitness-oriented field? You might consider applying for the Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,500 to one such student who has demonstrated outstanding achievements both in and out of school. In order to apply, you must answer a series of three essay questions and complete the online application. If selected as a finalist, you will also be asked to send in your transcript and one letter of recommendation. If you’d like some financial help on your journey to improve others’ health, we encourage you to apply!

The APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award is funded by the American Physical Therapy Association, an organization of physical therapists dedicated to building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society. Every year, their APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award grants up to $5,000 to multiple physical therapy students in the final year of their programs. Bear in mind that applicants must be nominated for the award. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

The APTA Minority Scholarship Award is funded by the American Physical Therapy Association, an organization of physical therapists dedicated to building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society. Every year, their APTA Minority Scholarship Award grants up to $5,000 to multiple minority physical therapist students and minority physical therapist assistant students. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

The Rizing Tide Surge Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for graduating physical therapy students or licensed physical therapists from underrepresented racial and/or ethnic backgrounds who are entering an ABPTRFE-certified residency program. In addition, applicants must have also graduated from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program and have earned a minimum 3.2 GPA in their PT program. Two Surge scholarships will be awarded, each providing a one-time payment of up to $10,000 to cover any residency expenses. Don't miss out on this chance to advance your career and make a difference in your community!

The Carlotta Welles Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled full-time in an AOTA-accredited associate's degree program in occupational therapy. The scholarship is one of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation's many funding opportunities available for occupational therapy students. To be considered for all of these scholarships, including the Carlotta Welles Scholarship, applicants must complete one scholarship form and submit the application materials listed below. If you're an occupational therapy student pursuing an associate's degree, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

The Florence Wood Scholarship is a prestigious award for students pursuing occupational therapy education in Arkansas. This scholarship is exclusively available to Arkansas residents enrolled in an accredited occupational therapy program. To be considered, applicants must provide two references and have their Program Directors submit online forms before the deadline. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to further your education and career in occupational therapy!

The Willard and Spackman Scholarship is for individuals studying occupational therapy at the Post-Baccalaureate Degree level. To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in an AOTA-accredited or developing professional level (master's or OTD) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program. If you are studying to become an occupational therapy assistant, you must be in your final year to be eligible. The scholarship is one of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s many funding opportunities available for occupational therapy students. To be considered for all of these scholarships, including the Willard and Spackman Scholarship, applicants must complete one scholarship form and submit the application materials listed below. If you’re an occupational therapy student pursuing a post-baccaulareate degree, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.