Physical Therapy Financial Aid

Tuition

While the pay scales in physical therapy and physical therapy assisting are excellent, students still need to find ways to pay for their education.

For a 2-year physical therapy assistant program at a community college, the cost for tuition and fees are likely to run from $7,000 - 10,000. For a 2 1/2 year doctoral program at a private university, a student may incur over $100,000 in costs.

Scholarships

Many employers will pay some or all of tuition costs for those who are already employed in the field and wish to upgrade their skills. In areas where physical therapists and PTAs are in high demand, you may be able to negotiate a cash bonus when you're hired, to help repay loans or education costs.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers an Education Loan program, as well as grants for advanced education and research. The APTA Web site has extensive resources for students and prospective students, including links to online information about grants, scholarships, and student loans.

American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Federal Loans and Grants

Federal PELL grants are available to undergraduates who have not earned a professional degree, and can be applied to PTA certification for students who qualify. Most federal grants and loans, such as FSEOG, Work-Study, Stafford Loans, and Perkins Loans, are also available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask schools you apply to about their financial aid deadlines and make sure the paperwork is submitted as early as possible. The federal loan process takes a while to get through, but other loans (such as the START loan), may be processed in just a few days.

To apply for most types of financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You can obtain these from a college financial aid office, a local public library, the Federal Student Aid Information Center (at 1-800-433-3243), or online from www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1 for the next school year.