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
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Summary of Physical Therapy Scholarships
• Upcoming Physical Therapy Scholarships

Below are some physical therapy scholarships to help make that degree a reality.

Top physical therapy scholarships in 2021

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: July 31, 2021

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

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 2019 median pay for physical therapists was $89,440, or $43 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.

Summary of physical therapy scholarships

1. HIE Help Center Scholarship for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Students
2. American Physical Therapy Association Outstanding PT Student and PTA Student Award
3. The American Physical Therapy Association Minority Scholarship Award
4. American Physical Therapy Association Mary McMillan Scholarship

Upcoming scholarships:

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

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

Novus Biologicals Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: Students pursuing a degree in a life science, health science, or medical science field
• Amount: $1,500

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 2021

The Arc New York Arthur W Pense Scholarship

• Eligibility: Physical or occupational therapy students residing in New York State
• Amount: $3,000

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 2021

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: November 1 2021

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

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

Katherine H. Dilley Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Arizona students studying physical or occupational therapy
• Amount: $1,000