Study to Become a Physical Therapist: Scholarship Funds Help Pay

Physical Therapy has been one of the perennial “hot” careers. Typically PTs stand to earn fairly good salaries and enjoy flexible job options. Nevertheless, the education it takes to get to the “earning” part of your career costs money and the tuition is not cheap.

Biggest benefits of all for students interested in Physical Therapy: expanding job opportunities and solid career potential. A number of healthcare and health services sectors are slated to grow in demand primarily due to the aging of the massive Baby Boomer population. Many PTs work with aging adults, those active and inactive and the Boomers are expected to put a strangle hold on healthcare and a wide range of specialized professionals because of their sheer numbers. But all that is good for you if you’re pursuing the profession.

You can study Physical Therapy at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level. However, Masters and Doctoral degrees are preferred. What this means? VERY costly student debt.

Sources for educational scholarships for Physical Therapy students:

  • Professional and Private organizations and associations
  • Colleges and universities

Private and Professional Sources for PT Scholarships

Below are just two popular examples of the types of PT scholarships available from private and professional organizations. By far this is not the only professional association for working PTs nor is this the only private business organization that extends scholarships. Use these as an idea guide for searching your own funding:

  • The American Physical Therapy Association is key in promoting and advocating for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants. For student members the organization’s foundation annually funds numerous scholarships. Popular and extremely competitive are the dozen or so PODS Scholarships, part of the Doctoral Opportunities for Clinicians program. Each scholarship awarded ranges from $7,500 to $15,000. Doctoral candidates have in the past studied various research from neurology to cardiovascular research, as well as those pursuing academic education, leadership and administration roles.
  • AMBUCS provides well-publicized and competitive scholarships for PT students. The organization is a collective of various types of professionals all dedicated to mobility. Many of the members are in the PT field. AMBUCS scholarships are awarded to undergrads, grads and doctoral candidates. Amount ranges from $500 to $6,000.

Government Sources for PT Scholarships? Really?

Physical Therapists play a key role in the delivery of healthcare and health services and as such may find scholarship reward in some government programs.

  • Native American students studying Physical Therapy may qualify for extremely nice scholarship purses from the Indian Health Service (IHS). This is a scholarship for service contract. Recipients agree to work in a designated tribal health care facility that has under served medically. The criteria for selection may change from year to year depending upon namely the various healthcare specialization shortages. But for those students selected, the pay-off can be great. Typically Pre-Physical Therapy students are eligible to contend for the Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship, and Masters and Doctoral PT students for the straight-up Health Professions Scholarship. Only those students in the Health Professions Scholarship program are obligated to service.
  • Another very viable option is to check with the current scholarships and grants being offered through your state government. Many states provide scholarships to students pursuing a range of healthcare professions. Expect that should you find one, it may be a scholarship for service contract—intended to keep you working within your own state’s economy.

Colleges and Universities

It should go without saying that leading your list of scholarship sources must be your school. Look way beyond the general scholarship stuff you’ll find in the main Financial Aid and Scholarship offices, to those buried back in the recesses of your own PT department. Find out what you qualify for, work toward tightening your qualifications, then go for it.