Funding Your DPT Education

Funding your physical therapy degree can be challenging. We recommend that you start by considering and reviewing all estimated program costs including travel, lodging and additional clinical education experience expenses.

Institutional Financial Aid

Schedule a Virtual Appointment with BGSU’s Financial Aid Office to get a jump on submitting a FAFSA, applying for and understanding graduate aid available.

BGSU Financial Aid

Student Loan Resources

Rizing Tide Scholarship Program
Scholarships offered through Rizing Tide aim to inspire more diversity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy workforce.

Federal Student Aid from the U.S. Department of Education
Explore the FAFSA and other government-funded loans and grant programs through the U.S. Department of Education, which also offers a Federal Student Loan Repayment Simulator to assist with calculating the costs of federal loans.

Student Loan Planner
A variety of loan calculators and other tools are available through Student Loan Planner to assist with researching loans and financing options.

BGSU Graduate Assistantships

Considered part of graduate college financial aid, BGSU Graduate Assistantship Opportunities provide students with valuable professional experience related to their academic field, giving the student both applied experience and financial support.

DPT Student Scholarship Opportunities

To help you, we have compiled a list of dozens of physical therapy and health care specific scholarships and loan repayment programs that you can apply to. Scholarships can be offered at the state, national, university, college or program level. There are several scholarship opportunities that may be available to you to support your DPT education. This list is by no means exhaustive. Be sure to seek out additional scholarships that may be available in your state or region.

External-National Physical Therapy Scholarships

Scholarships for DPT Students

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
The APTA offers multiple scholarships for members of the APTA and current DPT students. See the website for the various scholarship opportunities and associated requirements.

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Multiple scholarships are offered through the NSCA for students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in the strength and conditioning field. Physical therapy education does qualify. See the website for the various scholarship opportunities and associated requirements.

American Association of University Women
A career development grant offered to women looking to advance their career in education, health and medical sciences or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. See the website for complete details and requirements.

Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP)
The ASAHP offers scholarships to outstanding students pursuing an allied health profession. See the website for complete details and requirements.

AMBUCS Scholarship Program
AMBUCS awards scholarships to graduate students enrolled in physical therapy programs, among others. See the website for complete details and requirements.

HIE Help Center Scholarship
This scholarship is available to undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in physical, occupational or speech therapy. See the website for complete details and requirements.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Various scholarships are offered for students pursing healthcare education through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See the website for the various scholarship opportunities and associated requirements.

The Pat Tillman Foundation
The Pat Tillman Foundation offers scholarship support for service members, veterans, and military spouses. See the website for complete details and requirements.

Veterans United Foundation
The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship offers financial support for family of service members and veterans pursuing their education. See the website for complete details and requirements.

Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service offers multiple scholarship opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native students. See the website for the various scholarship opportunities and associated requirements.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Offered to support Hispanic American Students in completing their education. See the website for complete details and requirements.

Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships
The Daughters of the American Revolution offers scholarships to students of financial need enrolled in an accredited physical therapy program. See the website for complete details and requirements.

The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions- Scholarship of Excellence
This scholarship program is for allied health students enrolled in its member schools. Eligible programs include FN, MLS, CDIS, SOWK and PT. Twelve recipients will each be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. 

The following BGSU students have received the Scholarship of Excellence in the past:

            2020 - Lydia Bias - Communication Disorders

            2019 - Lisa Langhals - Dietetics

External-State Physical Therapy Scholarships

Many State Chapters of the APTA offer scholarships to DPT students. Check your local chapter website for funding opportunities.

Internal-BGSU Scholarships

The Cynthia Walling Pemberton Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate Applied Health Science major at BGSU intending to enter the physical therapy profession. Applicants must be in good standing and meet the GPA requirements for the Applied Health Science program. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need as determined by FAFSA.

The Mary M. Edmonds Scholarship
This scholarship recognizes a student of color and their effort to pursue a degree in physical therapy. Applicants must be a rising junior enrolled in the Applied Health Science program as a pre-physical therapy student. Preference is given to a member of a historically underrepresented minority group. This scholarship is renewable.

National Physical Therapy Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Explore eligibility for physical therapists in national student loan forgiveness programs.

Updated: 12/20/2023 11:37AM