Physical Therapy Scholarships
Learn about physical therapy financial aid, and find out if you can get help paying for school.
Pay for School with Physical Therapy Financial Aid
While your pay in a physical therapy or physical therapy assisting career will be excellent, you'll still need to find ways to pay for your education.
For a 2-year physical therapy assistant program at a public school in-state, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) estimates the cost around $7,816. At a private school, tuition increase to about $26,493. Luckily, finding physical therapy financial aid can be easy, if you know where to start.
Getting Started
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. The FAFSA should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1 for the next school year.
Options for Financial Aid
Many employers may offer physical therapy financial aid, paying some—or all—tuition costs for those who are already employed in the field and wish to upgrade their skills. Here are some federal and professional scholarship and grant resources:
- American Physical Therapy Association has extensive resources for students and prospective students, including links to grants, scholarships and student loans
- Federal PELL grants are available to undergraduates who have not earned a professional degree
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for low-income undergraduate students
- Federal Work-Study provides funds that are earned through part-time employment
- Stafford Loans are fixed-rate loans for students attending school at least half-time
- Perkins Loans are also available to undergraduate and graduate students
- Parent PLUS Loans help parents pay for their child's college education
Ask schools you apply to about their deadlines and make sure your physical therapy financial aid paperwork is submitted as early as possible. The federal loan process takes a while, so apply as soon as possible and get your college financing in place so you can concentrate on more important tasks—like applying yourself to your coursework.
Education Guide
Training & Education
Time to completion, what you'll study and more...
Physical Therapy Assistant
How to become a PTA...
Guide to Degrees
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Financial Aid
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Student Interview
Find out what physical therapy school is really like.
Career Guide
All About Physical Therapy Jobs
What is a physical therapy job like?
Salary Information
How much can you earn as a physical therapist?
Licensing
Guide to physical therapy licensing requirements & exams.
Physical Therapy Assistant Profile
An inside look at physical therapy assistant careers.
Accreditation & Organizations
Physical therapy resources.